Tina Singh is the founder and CEO of Bold Helmets, an Occupational Therapist, Digital Content Creator, and a proud mom of three. In January 2023, Tina launched Bold Helmets, introducing the first safety-certified multi-sport helmet specifically designed for Sikh children who maintain their hair.
Driven by a commitment to children's safety and identity, Tina believes in the importance of simplicity when balancing religious practices and protective gear. She explains that the core mission of Bold Helmets is to offer children safe options that allow them to express their cultural identity.
In this interview with Asian Voice, Tina shares the inspiration behind Bold Helmets, her entrepreneurial journey, and her insights on expanding into the UK market.
What inspired the creation of Bold Helmets, and where did the idea come from to design safety-certified helmets specifically for Sikh children?
The motivation behind Bold Helmets really came from my own experience as a parent. I have three boys under the age of 12, and when my oldest started learning to ride his bike, I, as an Occupational Therapist with a background in head and brain injury, always emphasised the importance of safety gear. I encouraged them to try new things, but always with the proper protection.
When my oldest was about three years old, I noticed how difficult it was to find a helmet that would fit properly with his hair. I started experimenting with different ways of tying his hair to make it work, but he hated it because he was used to wearing his hair a certain way. It became impractical for both of us — I didn’t want to keep retying his hair constantly, and he didn’t like the changes. I sat with this frustration for a long time. This was when my oldest was three, and now he’s 12, so this idea has been on my mind for quite a while. The issue continued when my other kid started playing hockey, and I realised that the problem wasn’t going to get any better; it was only going to get worse.
I felt that there needed to be a solution for kids whose hair didn’t fit easily into conventional helmets. Parents, like me, who struggled with this, needed an option that worked with the hair as it is. So, the motivation really came from my own life and the practical challenges I faced as a parent.
Can you tell us about the materials and features that make Bold Helmets unique?
It was a long journey, and I worked on it alongside other responsibilities for many years. When it came to the design and materials, we focused on using standard materials commonly found in all helmets. The materials we use are identical to those in any typical helmet, as we wanted to ensure the same composition and safety standards. Our helmet undergoes the same safety testing as any other bicycle helmet on the market. The unique aspect of our helmet is the dome portion, which was specifically added to create space for a top knot or anyone with a lot of hair worn up. This feature sets it apart, but in terms of materials, they're standard and tested just like any other helmet.
Do you see Bold Helmets appealing to a broader audience beyond just Sikh kids, potentially addressing other cultural needs as well?
Yes, we're very interested in expanding our reach. While our initial focus has been on the Sikh community, we believe that our product can appeal to a broader audience. In fact, we already have customers from various cultural backgrounds, including African Americans with dreadlocks and others who maintain longer hairstyles. Many school programs have adopted our product, and it has proven useful for a wider demographic than originally anticipated. We developed the product with a specific purpose in mind, but we see potential for it to serve a larger market.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building the brand?
One of the biggest challenges we faced in getting this product off the ground was figuring out where to start. Although I have a background in healthcare and knowledge about head injuries, I had no experience in product design or development. So, one of the initial hurdles was identifying the right engineer and manufacturer to bring the idea to life. Another challenge was a lack of confidence. When you're creating a product for the first time, it's a large-scale investment, and there's no guarantee it will work until you have a prototype. Even with a prototype, you still have to ensure it passes safety testing, which adds another layer of uncertainty. This was a significant challenge in the beginning, though we've crossed that hurdle now.
Can you tell us more about your presence in the UK?
We have a connection to the UK through a partnership where we've provided some of our products for use. Currently, we export our helmets to the UK from Canada. We offer good shipping rates that we’re able to pass on to our customers, but our goal is to make things even easier. By 2025, we hope to expand our product range in the UK and improve shipping speed and costs. There is a large demand for our products in the UK, and while we currently ship from Canada with flat-rate shipping, we aim to make it even more convenient for our customers.
On a related note, I’ve noticed that in the UK, many parents reach out urgently for orders, especially when their children are going on school trips, like overnight stays. Parents often email us asking for rush deliveries, needing the product within a few days for their child's trip. I encourage people to give us a chance to try our product. We’re also always looking for distributors and are open to conversations about getting our product in more markets.
