Carol Smillie’s new career could change women’s lives

Life has become more changing paths than Changing Rooms for Carol Smillie recently.

The popular TV presenter revealed she’s happy to leave her TV career behind for the buzz of her new career.

Mum-of-three Carol is more likely to be found in meetings for her new business, Diary Dolls, than preparing for a room makeover or filming these days.

“TV was great but it’s time to move on and this seems like a good thing,” she says.

Carol’s products a range of underwear for period, pelvic floor issues and post maternity, which she designed with former tennis star and fellow presenter Annabel Croft have just gone into 45 Debenhams stores, as well as John Lewis and they will soon be sold in 475 pharmacies.

Not bad for an idea best friends Carol and Annabel had as they lay on a beach with their families in Portugal four years ago.

“The conversation turned to coping with teenage daughters and how girls worry about going to school or doing sports and having accidents while on their period.

“Annabel said she had struggled since she was playing tennis at 15.

“We couldn’t believe there was nothing similar to what we had in mind on the market after all, this is something that affects half the population their entire adult life.”

The result was DiaryDolls, which look like ordinary pants but have a secret waterproof layer to minimise any potential embarrassment. At first marketed at teenage girls, Carol and Annabel found the pants were also being snapped up by women who’d recently given birth and older ladies and so adjusted their marketing strategy.

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing.

Carol explains, “I drew up some designs and had samples made in the Far East. It was ridiculous when I look back we just sent the money across rather naively.

“The smallest amount they could make was 10,000, which we couldn’t afford, so we found a factory in Manchester and started selling them on our website.

“But just as we agreed a deal with John Lewis, the factory went bust. I didn’t tell John Lewis, so I had two months to find a new manufacturer.”

In desperation, Carol, 53, went to a factory in Stirling she’d been told might help.

“I took along a pair of the pants and said ‘can you make these’, and the bloke replied they made lifejackets and boiler suits for oil rig workers. But he said they’d give it a go.”

It’s become a family affair.

“My husband Alex has quit the restaurant business and is now our commercial director, while my daughter Christie is the model on our website.”

Carol will be the keynote speaker in Edinburgh on Thursday as part of Scottish Franchise Week. She added: “We’re not at the franchising stage yet, but I think people want to hear our story.”

Scottish Franchise Week takes place from Tuesday to Friday.

For more information on starting a UK franchise, head to What Franchise for opportunities and advice.