Ashley Kissick, 37, managing director of Deluxe Hygiene, has been shortlisted for Welsh Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year in the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards. The awards receive around 5,000 applications each year, according to the bank.
The awards will be handed out at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on 17 November.
Allica Bank shortlisted Mr Kissick for his ground-breaking personal hygiene product, Hover No More. Addressing one of the most complained-about issues around public toilets, this new lifestyle product removes the need for women to ‘hover’ over toilets. Hover No More is an innovative, luxury toilet sanitiser and odour eliminator designed to look like a stylish cosmetic product, which fits discretely into a handbag or pocket.
According to the judges, Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, originality, and entrepreneurial spirit in their pursuit of new ideas and innovative solutions.
Hover No More, Mr Kissick’s brainchild, was launched in 2018 and can be purchased via Amazon. There are also plans for the product to launch in the United Arab Emirates later this year.
Commenting on the awards, Ashley Kissick said:
“This is a huge honour. I’m thrilled that Allica Bank has recognised the innovative work we’re doing with Hover No More and look forward to November’s final.
“It’s been a long journey with Hover No More. Talking about taboo topics such as toilets and hygiene is not easy. We started very small in the Mumbles and have grown steadily with one vision: to give people an option – an option that allows them to use a toilet which they might not otherwise be comfortable using.
“There are times it’s been a struggle, but now, with demand rising, we’re making real progress and are having some very positive discussions in the Middle East.”
An irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sufferer, Ashley created Hover No More after his condition compelled him to use toilets at short notice. This often meant he had to use less than sanitary toilets, hence his idea for a toilet seat sanitiser and odour eliminator combined in a single product.
Hover No More buyers include international travellers, IBS sufferers and festival attendees among others.
According to research, ‘hovering’ over toilets to urinate can lead to bladder disfunction and affect pelvic muscles. A 1991 British research paper found that 85% of women attending a general gynaecological clinic admitted to usually crouching when using a public toilet. A US study in 2020 found that one-quarter (26%) of women limit their use of public restrooms due to concerns about cleanliness.
Talking about his product’s future, Ashley said: “We hope Hover No More will help the many people that struggle to use public toilets. Our goal is to build momentum behind our movement: to tackle the taboo and change how people use public toilets.”
The article suggest this is a new idea.hardly as there have been numerous similar products on the market for years.The article contains several mistakes aswell ..all in all very poor reporting