Aoife Cotter is a primary school teacher and mum of a son, Ted, who has Down Syndrome and autism. After she identified a clear gap in the Irish market for zip-back pyjamas suitable for children with additional needs. Unable to source appropriate clothing locally, she partnered with Dublin-based social enterprise ChangeClothes.org to manufacture small-batch prototypes, learning the fundamentals of product development along the way. 

She leant heavily on the close-knit Down Syndrome and autism parent communities for both inspiration and early support, and received significant backing from her Local Enterprise Office through a Start Your Own Business course, a Feasibility grant, and mentoring, as well as completing Phase One of Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Programme. The launch attracted widespread media coverage across national outlets including the Irish Independent and the Daily Mail, and Aoife received a nomination for a Connect Kerry Women in Business Award.

1. Before you launched, what made you certain there was a genuine gap in the market? Was there a single moment or a gradual realisation that told you this product truly needed to exist?

I set up this business because of a genuine gap in the market. I knew there was a gap because I couldn’t find what I needed for my son. There were no pyjamas available in Ireland that met his needs. I have a great support network with parents of children with additional needs. We all help each other. I asked other parents where they sourced their pyjamas and they all ordered from the UK or else adapted ones themselves. I thought to myself- in this day and age, when you can get every gimmick on a t-shirt or jumper, it’s absolute madness that zip-back pyjamas are not available in Ireland.

2. Take us through the process of actually bringing the product to life. From the initial concept to something you could hold in your hands. Did you manufacture it yourself, or was finding the right production partner part of the journey?

I was really lucky with who I got talking to. I had the idea, and I asked a friend who customises clothing. She recommended I talk to Rainie at ChangeClothes.org. They’re a social enterprise in Dublin 8. They manufacture small batches, which is ideal for prototype development and testing the market. It certainly was a learning curve. I’m a primary school teacher with no business background. However, I’m a mother of a son who has Down Syndrome and autism, so I know exactly what the needs are. It was great to learn about manufacturing a product starting with an idea, moving on to patterns and grading, to tech packs and finished prototypes.

3. The Down Syndrome and Autism communities in Ireland are known for being incredibly close-knit and supportive. How did you build trust within those communities, and how has that relationship shaped the impact Born Zippy has been able to make?

Being a parent of a child with DS and autism, I am so grateful for the parent communities. They are the people who we look to for advice, support, and everything. We would all be lost without each other. Even before Ted was born, I was welcomed into the DS community. We knew from early scans that he would have DS. Parents of children with DS really helped us process the news and gave us so much support. One parent brought me to the DS centre to see the set-up and meet people while Ted was still in utero. It’s hard to put into words how much these communities help. I want Born Zippy to help other parents by reducing the stress of trying to find suitable clothing and by having it readily available in Ireland. I want it to be one less thing for parents to worry about.

4. Walk us through the reality of launching the business. What did those early days actually look like, and what has the growth trajectory been since then?

The first few weeks were really, really busy. I couldn’t believe the amount of interest from all corners of Ireland. Everyone was really supportive and encouraging, reaching out to help. I’ve already had a few repeat customers and great reviews. It’s so satisfying to know that you’ve helped other parents in a similar boat to yourself.

5. Have there been any press coverage or awards since your launch?

I was really lucky that many of the mainstream papers ran the story. We had articles in the Independent, the Journal, the Sun, the Daily Mail and some other online news outlets. I was also nominated for a Connect Kerry Women in Business Award. The awards ceremony will take place in June. I’m really looking forward to the event and so thrilled to be nominated.

6. Did you lean on any public supports, such as your Local Enterprise Office, Enterprise Ireland, or grant funding, when creating the company? How valuable were those resources in getting Born Zippy off the ground or scaling it?

I reached out to the Local Enterprise Office as soon as I came up with my idea. Through them, I took part in a Start Your Own Business course. I subsequently won a Feasibility grant with the LEO, which has been a huge help with testing the market. I also got some mentoring through the LEO, which was a huge help. I took part in Phase One of Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Programme. This was a great course, where I learned a huge amount. I also got to meet other entrepreneurs who are on their own journeys, all very different businesses from mine, but we all help and support each other. 

7. What has surprised you most about running Born Zippy, something you never anticipated when you first started?

I am surprised by how much I enjoy running a business. I never liked Business Studies in school. In fact, it was probably my least favourite subject! However, I love the variety involved in running a business- you’re designing, planning, networking, and problem-solving. I’ve always loved fashion, and I’m passionate about making clothing for children with additional needs that are funky, functional and cool.

8. What advice would you give to other parents or caregivers who have identified a problem in their child’s life and are sitting on a business idea but don’t know where to start?

There’s no one better than a parent for finding solutions to a problem. Parents are constantly problem-solving, be it figuring out how to support our children’s learning or their emotional development. We have lived experience of what our children need. I would say- don’t sit on it. Just go for it. Get out and get talking to people. Ask the questions. Who knows where it may lead.

9. Where do you want Born Zippy to be in five years, and what needs to happen to get it there?

In five years, I hope that Born Zippy has expanded our sizing range to 18 years. It’s clear that the demand is there for older children and teens, too. I would also love to expand my product range to daywear. I have loads of ideas for new products- I just need the funds to make them happen! I plan to scale the business internationally, also. There seems to be very little for our kids internationally.

For this to happen, I’d love to win another grant. If I got into Phase 2 of New Frontiers, that would also be a big help.

10. Are there any fellow entrepreneurs, organisations or programmes working in the DEI and neurodivergent inclusion space that you are a particularly big fan of?

I love the brand Izzy Wheels. They make funky and colourful wheelchair covers. Their branding is just gorgeous. Their wheelchair covers allow wheelchair users to express their personality in their chairs. The concept is brilliant and empowering.