From a Swimming Pool Changing Room to a Growing Business: The Story Behind Go Goosey

Four Years In: When Reflection Matters as Much as Momentum

Go Goosey has been going for just over four years now, and if I’m being completely honest, this year feels like crunch time.
I’m someone who naturally looks forward. I’m always thinking about what’s next, what more I can do, and how I can make this business a long-term success. But I’ve learned that as a small business owner, it’s just as important to pause, look back, and remind yourself how far you’ve come, and why you started in the first place.
Because when things feel tough (and they often do), that “why” really matters.

The Parenting Moment That Sparked an Idea

The idea for Go Goosey didn’t come from a boardroom, a trend forecast, or a background in fashion or retail. It came from a very real, very emotional parenting moment.
I took my adopted daughter swimming for the first time. I was so excited, genuinely excited to introduce her to the joy of the water, just as my dad had done with me when I was little. It felt like one of those moments you picture in advance: splashing, laughter, confidence-building, a memory we’d both treasure.
And the swimming part was exactly that.

When a Lovely Day Turned Into Changing Room Chaos

But then we got out of the pool… and the changing room hell began.
She was cold and crying. I was cold. The changing rooms were cramped, damp, and chaotic. Clothes stuck to her wet skin. Towels slipped. I was trying to comfort her while also wrestling soggy fabric, all the while standing there freezing myself. What should have been the calm end to a lovely family trip turned into stress, tears, and frustration.
It completely spoiled the experience.

“Surely There Has to Be an Easier Way”

That night, lying in bed replaying it all, I remember thinking: Surely there has to be an easier way than this.
I’m not from a fashion or retail background. I’m absolutely useless with a needle, something that has since been proven many times over while attempting to sew my daughter’s Brownie badges. Starting a children’s clothing brand was not something I ever imagined doing. But I couldn’t shake the idea.

From Non-Fashion Background to Relentless Curiosity

What if there was something a child could put straight on after swimming?
Something warm, absorbent, quick-drying, and easy?
Something that removed at least part of that post-swim stress for parents and grandparents?

Six Years of Slow, Determined Progress

What followed wasn’t an overnight success story; it was six years of slow, determined work.
I researched fabrics obsessively. I spoke to suppliers. I tested materials. I asked a friend to help me make an early sample using a onesie pattern, just to see if the idea worked in real life. Eventually, I connected with a local fashion student who helped bring the concept properly to life.

The Birth of Go Goosey

In September 2021, Go Goosey was finally born.

What’s in a Name? The Inspiration Behind Go Goosey

Some people assume the name comes from goosebumps, that cold, shivery feeling after swimming. But actually, it’s inspired by the goose’s feathers, which are naturally water-repellent. Just like our fabric, they don’t just shed water – they dry incredibly quickly. Our onesies don’t just dry children; they dry on them.

Designing With Purpose, Not Trends

We launched with a single unisex colour. That decision was deliberate. I wanted something practical, something that could be passed down to siblings or shared with friends. I knew this wasn’t an everyday purchase; it was a luxury item, but it was also so much more than just a changing towel. It was about easing stress, saving time, and making outings more enjoyable.

The Highs: Recognition, Belief, and Unexpected Breakthroughs

Like most small businesses, the journey since then has been a mix of incredible highs and very real lows.
We’ve been nominated for two local business awards, moments that felt surreal and validating. We were given £6,000 by Simon Squibb, an international entrepreneur and social media influencer who asks people one simple question: “What’s your dream?” Our post reached over 10,000 likes and attracted hundreds of comments of encouragement and support from complete strangers who believed in what we were building.

When the BBC Came Calling

Another huge highlight was appearing on BBC Radio 4’s The Bottom Line with Evan Davis, talking about side hustles. I didn’t even mention our website, yet we sold 60 onesies in a single day and over 200 in total directly from that one airing. I received so many messages afterwards, particularly from grandparents, telling me how much they loved the idea and how useful it sounded.
Those moments are the ones I hold onto.

The Lows: Cash Flow, Doubt, and Juggling It All

But there have been lows, too. I still haven’t been able to pay myself from the business. Every day is a fight to get the product seen without a marketing budget. There are constant worries about loan repayments, cash flow, and whether I’m doing enough. I juggle Go Goosey alongside my main job as an IT recruitment consultant — the job that thankfully pays the bills and keeps everything afloat.

The Reality of Small Business Ownership

Running a small business is exhausting, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once.

Why Go Goosey Still Matters — and Why I’m Still Here

So, as I look ahead, knowing that this year really matters, I also want to acknowledge how far Go Goosey has come. What started as one cold, stressful moment in a swimming pool changing room has turned into a product that genuinely helps families. Every message, every review, every order reminds me that the struggle is worth it.
And that’s why I’m still here, working, pushing, believing — and why I’m so grateful to everyone who has supported Go Goosey along the way.

author – karen burke

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About the Author Jackie Groundsell

Jackie Groundsell -The Connector, owner of 1230 The Women’s Company (TWC) is also known as the queen of women's business networking meetings and events. As a businesswoman herself for the past 25 + years, she’s been there, done that and got the T-shirt! She’s an approachable recognised business Expert, Mentor, IT Trainer and has e supported thousands of small business owners through her events and lunch-time meetings Jackie is also a weekly Radio presenter, reaching and supporting even further into the business world. ... and would love to hear from you.

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