Schoolgirl inspired by her cat Cleo to pitch for business talent show

Alice Habermehl, 12, has pitched her idea to create and sell affordable cardboard pet beds to the BBC’s new show, Pocket Money Pitch, and reached the finals.

She hit on the business idea thanks to her own cat Cleo - who refused to sleep in a luxury bed bought for her!

Alice, who lives in Chronicle Country, applied to be part of the show last summer when the BBC started its search.

Following several selection stages, including a Skype audition with the assistant producer of children’s BBC, Alice was chosen to take part and pitch her business idea in a head to head, Dragons Den-style pitch to a panel of five young business entrepreneurs.

Alice’s business idea is to create and sell attractive, low cost and environmentally friendly cardboard pet beds.

She has called her business Aleo Pet Products - the first two letters of her name and the last two from her cat, It started when she had just spent all her saved pocket money on a luxury bed for Cleo, who hated it but later that day a delivery arrived and the empty cardboard box was left in the sitting room.

Her mum Christine said: “Alice found Cleo curled up inside the box looking thoroughly content and happy. It was then that she decided to turn her upset into a positive by decorating the box and making it look beautiful.

“She dreamed of selling boxes for children and creative adults to decorate and personalise for their pets and applied to the BBC’s national advert.

“Alice loved taking part in Pocket Money Pitch and was truly inspired by the experience. She has worked hard to develop her idea and Aleo Pet Products now has a manufacturer in the UK, a website, a Facebook page and her product is being supported and will be stocked at Scott’s Veterinary Clinic in Bedford and at Frosts Garden Centre at Willington.”

Alice is not new to raising money and together with her brother, Ollie, has raised hundreds of pounds for their chosen charity, Bedford and District Handicapped Riders Association, and their grandma was a founder of this 55 years ago. Alice continues to support BDHRA and is donating money from her profits to the charity.

Alice, a Bedford Modern School pupil, said: “All cat owners will know how much cats love cardboard boxes, they’ll jump into one at the first opportunity! Aleo pet homes are stylish, low cost, environmentally friendly and fully customisable for your unique pet. Children and adults will have hours of entertainment decorating their Aleo pet home which gives a sense of achievement and satisfaction and helps you bond with your pet.”

Alice appeared on the CBBC channel at 5pm on Easter Monday and will be appearing again at 9.30am on Sunday, April 3.