Page 23 - Home Business - Fall 2018

Having Fun While Learning

Irish Dadpreneur Launches The Field Toy That
Promotes Screen-Free, Creative Play for Kids

By Alicia McCarthy

t all started when Ireland-based dadpreneur Cuddy says that the biggest challenge he’s had to
Padraic Cuddy’s son asked for a toy fi eld so overcome in launching his business (like all busi-
Ihe could play with his farm animal and nesses starting out) was fi nance. He was lucky
machinery fi gurines. “When I gift ed him with to have and continue to have another profi table SUCCESS STORIES
my version of a Field, which I handcraft ed business that allowed them to prop up the Field
from timber and synthetic grasses, he was so toy business during the crucial launch phase. Th e
excited and played for hours with his new toy,” Field toy now stands on its own two feet and all
Cuddy says. Aft er seeing how his son loved funds are reinvested for business development
playing with the replica fi eld and used his and growth. “Unlike other small businesses, we
imagination, the idea for Th e Field kids toys retain 100% equity in the business,” Cuddy says.
was born. “Th is has allowed us to move from initial launch
Padraic Cuddy, Founder of The Field toy
stage back in September 2015 to market expan-
Th e Field toy helps inspire real world, screen-
sion in a relatively short period of time. We are in
free, and imaginative play. It is free of batteries
total control of our business and where it moves a small cottage business into an international
and features lush green grass, hedging, wooden
to next. While this is stressful at times I wouldn’t brand.
farm gates, farm animals, a tractor, and more!
have it any other way!”
Creative, inventive play is proven to have intel- In addition to signifi cant cost savings, Cuddy
lectual, emotional and social benefi ts, and Th e Cuddy introduced Th e Field toy to the mar- says that being able to be with family is an-
Field toy helps boys and girls ages 3+ get away ket just three years ago and they’re already on other major advantage of running his business
from the screens and use their own ingenuity their way of achieving their goal of becoming from his home-based offi ce. “It aff ords us more
to develop a farm world before their eyes. It is the number one farming toy for children aged quality family time together, as I get to see my
available in two sizes: the original Field, 26” x 3+. Th eir Field toys are also now available in wife and children every day and nearly every
17”, and a Half Acre Field, 12” x 17”. America as of this September. To market Th e minute of the day if we wanted to! I love that
Field, Cuddy says that direct marketing via I am running an international business from
Cuddy and his company supply premium social media has been eff ective. “We utilize home,” he says.
quality synthetic grasses to the Irish market. our social media platforms to speak directly
Cuddy says that there is such thing as a bal-
According to Cuddy, he embarked on that to consumers and grow our audience that loves
anced life when you’re an entrepreneur; it all
business venture in 2010 as a direct result of Th e Field toys,” Cuddy says.
just depends on your perspective. He feels for-
tunate to be able to work from home, where his
days and hours aren’t set per day. “If I get a call
on a Sunday aft ernoon to view a prospective
job from the synthetic grass business, then I
feel very fortunate I am able to follow up on
this,” he says. “I love being an entrepreneur and
feel it’s not something you can turn on and off
or clock on or off from. Th is suits me and how
I operate. It doesn’t suit everyone and that’s
why I feel you are either born an entrepreneur
or not.”
According to Cuddy, launching Th e Field has
been his greatest business achievement thus
far. “I am extremely proud we have created a
unique Irish toy business off ering fun, educa-
tional and creative toy products which have not
the downturn in the economy and a gap he Th e Field has been featured on the nation- been created before anywhere in the world!”
identifi ed in the Irish market. “Th is business al Irish network RTE annually since its in- In the next three years, they hope to be fi rm-
continues to go from strength to strength ception as a holiday must-have! Th e show is ly established in the American market with a
and with the introduction of the Field toys watched by an average of 1.3 million viewers further launch to international markets like
in 2015, this has enabled us to fi nd addition- and in 109 countries outside of Ireland. It is Europe. Cuddy says he also hopes to continue
al and novel uses for our synthetic grasses,” the most watched program of the year in Ire- enjoying a balanced life by working from home
Cuddy says. “It was a lovely synergy of my land. According to Cuddy, the features on this and for the Field toys to be known and loved
two passions!” program year aft er year have helped to turn worldwide. Visit amazon.com/thefi eld.

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