Lyndsay Watterson
Entrepreneur
Since becoming an amputee 10 years ago, I have had great opportunities and said yes to many amazing challenges, always hoping to prove there isn't anything I can't do - I may just do it differently to you. I trained for 6 months to be a circus trapeze performer as I was headhunted to appear in the amazing opening and closing London 2012 Paralympic ceremonies. I flew on high wires and hung underneath a motorbike on a trapeze 50 metres in the air while Coldplay sang beneath me. It was the most incredible experience of my life. I was then asked to perform in more theatre shows that took me from Birmingham to London and Rio to Sao Paolo teaching and performing circus skills. My performing streak didn't stop there and I was cast as Peggy Sue, the one legged stripper in Jack Whitehall's Bad Education The Movie and Rosa the waspy amputee in BBC1s Doctors. In the same vein, along with my husband I created a successful holiday cottage business from nothing in France, where we were followed by Channel 4s A New life in the Sun cameras. As a result we appear in series 2 (9-13) and also on their new programme Where are They Now. My background has been weird and wonderful and has taught me never to back down from a challenge and always say yes and figure it out later.
I have had many achievements as an entrepreneur. I have established an ever growing following of over 28000 people on Instagram, and my blog was rated in the top 10 disability blogs to follow. There are currently over 10 Neo Walk ambassadors who I support as they document their life and disability journeys on social media, promoting not just Neo Walk but also choice and diversity for mobility aids. Recently I began broadcasting live chats on Instagram connecting directly with my customers and hearing their thoughts and views. Wanting to be even more visual I have started recording an IGTV series I've named "Stick it to the Stigma" where I have an informal chat with influential people living with disabilities. We talk about life, style and breaking down the stigma of disability.
People like the person they see behind Neo Walk. They like that I am authentic and I care about their needs, excellent customer service and creatively solving problems. I am a forward looking business who is always designing new products and looking ahead so there is always something new and exciting in the pipeline. I see myself as my own target market so I understand the emotional connection behind buying a walking stick, and I try my best to ease people through that leap. I give my best advice if I'm asked and always support my customers emotionally. Using my social media platforms I am genuine and real, not just a faceless business. People know me as Lyndsay, they know I'm disabled and we have an instant connection. I produce high quality walking sticks, all handmade with great attention to detail. I think people appreciate the high standards I hold myself to. My aim is always to have a happy customer walking with one of my sticks.
