I Knew It Would Sell — But They Didn’t Know How to Listen

 When I was working at Wowcher, we hadn’t yet hired a trend analyst, so my manager encouraged me to share any ideas I had directly with the leadership team. I took that seriously. I looked into Google Trends, scoured articles, and noticed that Reformer Pilates was quickly becoming a huge fitness trend — not just in London, but globally.

I found an article about how Aldi (or maybe Lidl) in Australia had released a budget Reformer Pilates machine, and it sold out within minutes. That confirmed what I already knew: demand was growing, and consumers were hungry for affordable ways to access boutique fitness trends at home.

So I pitched it. I emailed the idea directly to the Goods Director. I said, let’s jump on this — let’s list a simple Reformer Pilates machine at an accessible price point. The demand is there, the margin is there, and the trend is only going up.

Nothing came of it. Or so I thought.

Today, a year later, I have left Wowcher but out of pure curiosity, I visited their
site and saw it: a Reformer Pilates machine. Actually, multiple. And one of them — a £49 home model — had already sold over 2,300 units.

I sat there staring at the screen. I wasn’t surprised it sold. I knew it would. I was just struck by how long it took them to act — and how much credibility I had to not have for it to be ignored when it came from me.

I’m not claiming it was my idea that led directly to this listing. I’ll never know for sure. But I do know that I had the idea a year ago, and I said it out loud. It’s somewhere in an email chain. Both my manager and the director saw it. Whether or not they remember, I do.

And every time I doubt myself, I’m going to remember that.

A big company just made money — real money — off a product I flagged well before they did. That idea wasn’t magic. It wasn’t outlandish. It was just pattern recognition. And I have it.

Sometimes, it’s not the idea that gets heard — it’s the mouth it comes out of. When a brown girl says it, it’s a suggestion. When a senior white guy says it, it’s a strategy.

So here’s my takeaway: trust your brain, even when others don’t. Screenshot the receipts. Keep the proof. And when doubt comes knocking, open the door and show it your track record.

Because you were ✨right.✨

PS.

Upon reflection, I delved into research on unconscious bias and its impact on idea recognition within corporate settings. It's disheartening to realize that innovative suggestions are often overlooked due to factors unrelated to their merit. For instance, the concept of authority bias highlights our tendency to attribute greater value to ideas presented by individuals in positions of authority, irrespective of the idea's intrinsic worth. Similarly, affinity bias can lead to favoring ideas from those who share similarities with decision-makers, potentially sidelining diverse perspectives.

These biases can inadvertently stifle innovation and hinder inclusive decision-making. Recognizing and addressing them is crucial for organizations aiming to harness the full potential of their diverse teams. By fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued, companies can ensure that great ideas, regardless of their source, receive the attention they deserve.

Some links to explore:

The Truth About Unconscious Bias in the Workplace

19 unconscious biases