Lucy graduated from Cardiff University and Oliver graduated from Birmingham University last year. During their time at university, Lucy noticed a gap in the market in the female fitness space, with black lifting belts dominating the market, and a lack of options for women, both in terms of style and quality. 

This ignited a passion within Lucy to create something new, something exciting, and something that would resonate with women across the globe. And, with Oliver’s support, she went on to turn this vision into Lolli Lifting. 

In 2023, Lucy pitched Lolli Lifting at the Santander Go Getter Awards at Cardiff University and placed first, securing the business a £5000 grant. Since then, the business has continued to thrive, winning the Student Side Hustle Awards in 2024 and an additional grant of £2500. In the same year, Lolli Lifting was named Consumer Products Start-Up of the Year for the Midlands at the UK Start-Up Awards. 

The future is bright for Lolli, as they prepare to launch a new range of products, from barbell pads to gym bags, and look to become a well-established brand within the fitness industry.

"My experience with the [Cardiff University Enterprise and Start-up] team has been invaluable. Everyone genuinely wants you to succeed, and it is great to find areas of improvement and use the pathway, which provides useful resources to work on your business in your own time. 

“I stepped out my comfort zone and applied for the Go Getter Awards. I never thought I would place first and win the £5000 grant for Lolli Lifting; it continues to be the best day ever. Fast forward a year later and my business now has multiple products, is growing every day on social media and is an absolute dream come true.'"