Innovator of the month: Gunnar Kristiansen
Innovation: Shoe horn with shoe horn holder & Washing up brush holder for the tap

Gunnar Kristiansen first came to Sweden from Norway in 1954 at the age of 22 on his honeymoon and has lived in Sweden ever since. Over the years, Gunnar has had a wide range of jobs- everything from toolmaker to mechanical engineer, gunsmith to consultant.

Today, Gunnar is a self-employed innovator focusing on equipment and aids that simplify everyday life for the elderly and disabled. With his innovation "Shoe Horn Alltid Me" Gunnar has made himself more independent and simplified both his own, and many others', everyday life.

-In everyday life, many small and simple problems can arise that easily become big if you can't handle them yourself. With the right tools, the freedom to organise and control your own time is also increased. The importance of being able to do things for yourself increases the quality of life and makes it easier to look at your situation in a positive light," says Gunnar.

"I think that's when the innovator in me was born"

Gunnar says that he has always wanted to solve problems that he has encountered.
-"I remember during the war in 1944, I didn't have a bicycle and it was difficult to get both bicycles and spare parts. I found scrap bicycle in pieces, which I could put together with nails and wire. Then I wrapped a lot of newspaper around a thick rope and used it as an inner tube in the tyres so I could cycle to school. I guess that's when the innovator in me was born.

An interest in boating gave rise to the shoe horn holder

One of Gunnar's greatest interests in life has always been boats. He has built several boats himself, ranging from 22-foot to 34-foot. It was during a boat show in Gothenburg that Gunnar was faced with a challenge that sparked the idea for the shoe horn Alltid Me. To board the boats, visitors need to either put plastic protectors on their feet or take off their shoes. At the time, Gunnar couldn't do on his own without help.

-I have a severe back problem because of a fall from a roof in the 80's and have been dependent on walking aids ever since. On top of that, being alone in life after 60 years of marriage and being dependent on a crutch was not so easy. But I wasn't ready to give up. Instead of getting stuck on obstacles, I started thinking about how to turn them into opportunities," says Gunnar.

Gunnar began to think, and come up with solutions, on how he could attend the boat show. Gunnar found that with a specially made shoe horn holder for his crutch, he could carry a long shoe horn unnoticed. With the shoe horn mounted on the crutch, Gunnar could now go to the show and board the boats himself.

After a successful visit to the boat show, it took about 3 years until the product was fully finished and produced. Gunnar has developed the original idea and the shoe horn holder can be used with a cane or attached to a walker. In addition, the shoe horn can be used as a crutch holder when you need to hang up your crutch and free your hands. For example, at the checkout when paying.

-I always use a crutch with a shoe horn when I am outdoors, in shopping centres, going to the health centre, dentist, rehab and so on. I often get questions at the checkout and can show and explain the benefits and advantages of the product. I also always have a video on my phone showing the holder as a dish brush holder. The response has always been 100 percent positive," says Gunnar.

One invention led to another

Gunnar is always thinking of new ideas and inventions. One day, while sitting at his cluttered workbench in the garage, he had the idea of clamping some shoe horn holders onto the water pipes in front of him and using them as tool hangers. It worked perfectly and Gunnar found more space on his workbench. Then, when Gunnar went into the kitchen, he had a new idea.

-When I came back to the kitchen and saw the dish brush lying in the sink with all the other dishes, it suddenly occurred to me: why not do what I did in the garage, clamp the holder around the kitchen faucet? It was an excellent mount to hang the dish brush on. In this way, the shoe horn holder also became a dish brush holder!

The BendRe dish brush holder ensures that you always have a clean, dry and bacteria-free dish brush. There is a need for it in every home, but also in commercial kitchens, hospitals, staff cafeterias, school kitchens and offices.

Featured in the Swedish Dragon's Den

"It was one of the most enjoyable events of my life. I've watched so many episodes and thought what if I'd had the chance to stand there and present my ideas?"

Gunnar says that the first challenge was to develop an easy-to-use and functional shoe horn holder. The biggest challenge of all, however, was getting it into market. But Gunnar, who had seen many episodes of the Dragon's Den, plucked up the courage and submitted an application to the Dragon's Den in the autumn of 2021.

In the spring of 2022, Gunnar stood in front of the Dragons and presented his product. Gunnar says: -It was one of the most enjoyable events in my life. I've watched so many episodes and thought: what if I'd had the chance to stand there and present my ideas? It was like a dream.

The programme attracted a lot of attention for Gunnar and his innovation, and many viewers contacted him afterwards with praise and encouragement.
-I was quite tense and nervous when I went into the Dragons. But after I introduced myself and felt their positivity, the tension and nervousness disappeared. Then it felt like we were old friends," says Gunnar.

Moving production to Sweden

Gunnar himself is responsible for production planning, purchasing materials, warehousing, and logistics. He explains that the shoe horn holder was initially manufactured in China. But now the tools are on their way home and in the future the holder will be manufactured in Sweden. Assembly and packaging are already done by a company in Gothenburg.

Looking ahead, Gunnar has several ideas that he would like to implement.
-At my age, I have many elderly people in my network and many of them live in retirement homes. I have lots of ideas on how to improve care for the elderly," says Gunnar.

Gunnar's tips for other innovators

 Make a list of your ideas you have been thinking about and pick the one you believe in the most.
 Only work on one project at a time and only when you feel like it.
 Google if the invention already exists.
 When things get stale, put them aside for now. Suddenly a new idea or solution will come along.