Providing a series of guided group runs from central
London, Samsung Home Run helps people get fit while travelling home
from work. Founder Diccon Loy talks about the idea behind the
business, the expanding network of routes and partnering with
a big company.
0-5 seconds: Sum your business up in a
sentence
Samsung Home Run (originally launched as Home Run London) is a
series of free, guided group runs home … we even carry your
bag.
5-10 seconds: What's the business
model?
Currently the service is free for participants. We hope to
keep it that way through commercial partnerships and public
funding.
10-15 seconds: Who are your
competitors?
Samsung Home Run is unique; it's a world's first. We don't
really have any competitors. Even Transport for London wants to
encourage people off the transport network at busy times.
15-20 seconds: What's your USP?
Our USP is our free bag carrying service. We have dedicated
cargo-bikes and use Zipcar to ensure our commuters' bags are ready
to meet them at the end of their run.
20-25 seconds: How have you funded it so
far?
Home Run's development has been funded by Limelight Sports, the
UK's leading sports participation company.
25-30 seconds: What were you doing
before?
I was involved in the health and fitness industry for 10 years,
fulfilling group and regional management roles for LA Fitness and
Esporta.
30-35 seconds: Where did the idea come
from?
The idea sprung from observations of commuters running home from
work. With transport congestion at an all-time high and the
Olympics, bringing three million additional journeys expected per
day, around the corner, we considered how we could help more people
to run home. The questions were, what barriers can we remove and
what "drivers of participation" can we
enhance? Homerunlondon.com was the answer.
35-40 seconds: What's the smartest thing
you've
done so far?
Partner with Samsung on Home Run. The Samsung Hope Relay app is a fantastic
initiative, Samsung gives £1 to charity for every mile you
run. So now, not only can you get fit going home with Home
Run - you can raise money for charity while enjoying your
commute.
40-45 seconds: What's the
stupidest?
During our internal testing of the concept, we attached a
trailer and flight case onto a bike to carry the bags, but we soon
learned that we needed more robust transport and invested in the
purpose built cargo bikes we have today.
45-50 seconds: If your business was a biscuit,
what would it be?
We are a very popular, locally produced, healthy biscuit
alternative from an innovative young bakery, yet to be launched
nationwide but with big ambitions.
50-55 seconds: Which idea are you a bit jealous
of?
It's not so much jealousy, but more admiration for what Paul
Sinton-Hewitt has done with parkrun, a great innovation that is
having a big impact on participation in running.
55-60 seconds: Where are you going to be in 12
months' time?
We have big plans. We hope to continue our growth to over
50 routes in London and be launching Home Run services in cities
across the UK and potentially around the world.
For more information on Samsung Home Run click
here, www.homerunlondon.com.