How I Turned Failure into a Multi-Million Pound Success: Lessons from the Trenches

Building a business from scratch is never easy. Building a hardware and tech company during one of the worst economic downturns in modern history? Even harder.

When I founded Savortex in 2008, I didn’t just want to build a better hand dryer — I wanted to transform how commercial washrooms work. I didn’t know then the years of sacrifice, rejection, and reinvention it would take to succeed.

But through every failure, I learned something that helped me grow into the entrepreneur I am today. This is the real story — not of overnight success, but of grit, innovation, and relentless belief.

The Early Years: Big Vision, Small Budget

In 2008, I founded Savortex with a mission to disrupt the commercial washroom industry. One year later, I hired engineer Peter Williams to design the lowest energy-use hand dryer ever made. Together, we began developing what would become a revolutionary product.

By 2010, we raised £250,000 from friends and family — enough to fund R&D and create a proof of concept. In 2011, we launched the Vortex 550: the world’s most energy-saving high-speed hand dryer. A year later, we achieved a Guinness World Record for energy efficiency.

Turning Heads and Building Momentum

2013 was a breakthrough year. We won two major industry awards and delivered 1,000 units, generating £350,000 in revenue from top UK distributors. But we weren’t done.

I sold my home in 2014 to continue funding the business. We raised another £350,000 in seed investment, secured EIS approval, and received £90,000 in Innovate UK grant funding. That year, we began developing the world’s first IoT-enabled hand dryer.

The IoT Revolution and Strategic Growth

By 2015, we launched the EcoCurve™ 550D — the world’s first smart hand dryer. It didn’t just dry hands — it captured real-time data, alerted cleaners, and helped businesses run more efficiently. We shipped 1,000 units to British Airways, Shell, L’Oréal, and Rolls-Royce.

We secured an additional £860,000 in follow-up funding and created a strategic partnership with Intel®. With their support, we scaled technology, secured ‘Intel Inside’ approval, and set the stage for global expansion.

Innovation with Real-World Impact

In 2018, we launched the adDryer™ — the first hand dryer to show full-motion video ads based on usage. Each dry could generate up to 5p in advertising revenue while replacing paper towels. We shipped to Gatwick Airport, WeWork, and MITIE, drying 5.2 million hands per year and saving 4.7 million paper towels annually.

We began generating advertising revenues and expanding globally — shipping to the USA, Middle East, and Asia. That same year, we welcomed the former CEO of Dyson, Martin McCourt, as a senior advisor to help us scale.

Scaling Towards Exit

By 2019, we secured a data communications patent and onboarded high-growth advisor Gareth-Buchannan Robinson. We were preparing for rapid expansion, aiming for a £170 million exit by 2023 with a vision to deploy a network of 37,000 connected devices.

Our mission was simple: transform wasteful commercial washrooms into hygienic, sustainable, and revenue-generating assets.

Lessons from the Trenches

Looking back, success didn’t come from having all the answers — it came from relentless execution, building the right team, and adapting fast.

Here are my key takeaways:
- Don’t be afraid to bet on yourself (I sold my house to fund the dream)
- Surround yourself with people who believe in the mission
- Turn every setback into a springboard
- Protect your energy and mindset — they’re your greatest assets

The 5 Pillars That Got Me Through It

Through all the highs and lows, I leaned on my 5 Pillars — a framework I now teach every founder I coach:

1. **Purpose & Ambition** – A strong why kept me going when most would have quit.
2. **Close Family & Friends Circle** – I leaned on loved ones who believed in the mission.
3. **Health, Fitness & Wellness** – When the pressure was highest, I trained harder to stay sharp.
4. **Spiritually Connected** – Faith, reflection, and a belief in something greater helped me stay grounded.
5. **Giving Back** – Whether mentoring others or creating impact through our products, contribution gave my journey meaning.

Final Word: Your Struggle is Your Strength

Success isn’t built in a straight line — it’s earned in the trenches, one tough decision at a time.

If you’re facing failure, funding pressure, or a moment of doubt — I’ve been there. And I’ve built something extraordinary through it.

Let your failure fuel you. The story you’re writing today could become your biggest strength tomorrow.