One Ordinary Day. One Extraordinary Idea.
Anna was a busy mum of three energetic boys in London. The school run was hectic. The playground was chaotic. But then, one afternoon, her son discovered something revolutionary on Clapham Common.
“It just clicked,” Anna says. “He wouldn’t get off it. He absolutely loved it. And I thought, ‘That’s it. That’s what we need.’”
That “it” was a cleverly designed, super-stable Mini Micro scooter. Simple. Stylish. Practical. Life-enhancing. The sort of thing that makes kids feel free with independence and makes parents feel empowered.
From Mum-on-the-Go to Mission-Led Entrepreneur
What happened next was less of a business plan, more of a gut instinct.
- Other parents kept stopping her to ask, “Where did you get that?”
- Anna started selling scooters to friends, then neighbours.
- Next came homemade flyers, hung them in cafés and playgrounds. Anna even stuck her telephone number on the bottom of the scooters she sold, explaining to people, You’ll need this because people are going to ask you where they can get one.
She tracked down the Swiss company Micro Mobility and got on a plane.
That plane ride changed everything. Anna and her business partner flew to Switzerland and asked for the UK distribution rights. They got them, but with one condition: sell 8,000 scooters in year one.
They didn’t just meet the target. They smashed it.
“We sold 80,000 in two years. It was wild,” Anna remembers.
“We were just two mums figuring it out as we went.”
They pitched to John Lewis, bagged an order of 600, and watched Micro scooters become the store’s bestselling toy. For ten years running.
Built for Families. Powered by Purpose.
From the start, Anna wasn’t just selling scooters. She was solving a problem:
- Make mornings easier.
- Get kids outdoors.
- Give parents back some time (and their sanity).
Every product decision came from lived experience. Before long, clever additions were brought to the range: more colours, scooters for older children, grown-up versions and a beautiful accessories range.
“We brought the mums to Micro,” Anna says.
“We were the customers.” The insight was incredible; it made perfect sense that those who were benefiting from the products were the best advocates to sell them.
That direct link between real life and product design still powers everything we do.
Not Just a Scooter. A Force for Good.
As the company grew, so did our commitment to doing things better.
In 2022, we became B Corp certified. A very proud moment, but we’ve also:
- Launched Scooter Aid, for UK charities to rehome refurbished pre-loved scooters.
- Switched over 50% of our accessories to recycled materials.
- Encouraged our suppliers to use cleaner shipping methods like LNG-fuelled ships.
- Given our team time off to join community clean-ups and local causes.
We’ve always believed in building a business that gives back - one that’s sustainable, thoughtful, and here for the long haul.
Facing Fears and Finding Courage
For Anna, the most challenging part wasn’t the logistics, the stockroom, or the late nights. It was public speaking.
“I used to walk past the school debating society and think, ‘No chance,’” she says. “Even now, I still get nervous.”
But she kept showing up. Speaking at schools. Supporting The Prince’s Trust. Sharing her story with students, entrepreneurs, and anyone wondering if they’ve got what it takes.
“I just wanted everyone to have a scooter,” Anna says.
“To feel what we felt. That it can actually change your day, your life, for the better.”
Paying It Forward
Now, Anna’s paying it forward in a big way.
She sits on the board of First, helping people in the North East start their own businesses. She mentors students. She judges university business competitions. She shares what she’s learned, including the highs, the hard bits, and the huge amount of heart it takes to build something that matters.
“It’s tough,” she says. “But it’s exciting. And if I can help someone else start their journey, I’ll do it.”
The Magic of a Sliding Door Moment
Looking back, it’s hard to believe it all started in a park. One scooter. One child. One moment of freedom.
But that’s the beauty of a sliding door moment. You never know what it’ll unlock.
At Micro Scooters, we believe in those moments. We believe in the power of movement, in every sense of the word. We believe in building products that last, that feel great to use, and that make everyday life that bit easier.
Because the best ideas aren’t always big, bold plans.
Sometimes, they’re just… a little push forward.
This interview is transcribed from Anna's appearance (S5 Ep.4) on the Fear Less Do More podcast by Square One Law. Gill Hunter, Managing Partner at Square One Law, speaks with people who are challenging the status quo and who are helping to change the world of business around us. Watch the full episode here.