Blackpool Unlimited’s Great Expectations for New Baby Scanning Business

Blackpool Unlimited has been helping one bouncing baby business give parents-to-be a better view of their growing babies with the Fylde Coast’s first Pregnancy Scanning Studio ‘to provide special memories and bonding moments’.

Sami and Cassie from Love at First Sight are preparing for the launch of a unique local business, supported by expert advice and support from Blackpool Unlimited. Love at First Sight is a pregnancy scanning studio which is set to transform gender reveal parties and baby showers across the Fylde Coast.

The business will provide mementos of pregnancy to cherish forever: a 2D or 3D image, a ‘4D’ moving image of baby within the womb, the sound of baby’s heartbeat, captured and stored within a ‘heartbeat bear’. Together with gender cannons, balloons and more, Cassie and Sami are aiming to become Blackpool’s first choice for new ways to celebrate pregnancy and encourage early baby bonding.

Although medical and diagnostic scanning services already exist on the Fylde Coast, Sami and Cassie realised that a huge market was being missed. “When we were researching the business we found Blackpool’s birth rate is massive,” explained Sami. “Often, the 2D picture you get at your ultrasound is the only image you’ll have of your growing baby. We help parents-to-be and their families get to know their baby better.”

With a background in health and social care, Sami and Cassie both trained as non-medical, non-diagnostic sonographers, which enables them to deliver a scanning service safe for mother and baby.

The business was set up pre-pandemic and Sami and Cassie found their ideal store on Foxhall Rd. But then Covid forced the pair to delay their launch. It was a delay that worked in their favour, giving them time to refine every last detail of their plan with the help of Blackpool Unlimited at the Enterprise Centre.

“Whenever we’ve been hit with something I don’t know the answer to (usually about rules and regulations) I call Kriss Wilson at Blackpool Unlimited,” Sami explained. “It was just so good to be able to talk to her. I’ve spoken to her about leases, parking permits, recycling, fire regulations and so much more. Often they’re only little things but added together you can lose so much time trying to find the answers. Calling Blackpool Unlimited has saved us hours and stopped us from taking the wrong route. Also, when I speak to Kriss I get such a feelgood factor. She’s been our one point of help in getting the business to launch stage and I know she’ll be there to help us through the first few months too.”

Kriss Wilson of Blackpool Unlimited said, “Sami and Cassie have so much enthusiasm for Love at First Sight, and they’re backed that up with a willingness to set their business up in the right way. I’ve been only too happy to help, and I wish them every success once they’re able to open their doors.”

“We’ve all been in a pandemic,” said Cassie. “It’s been really hard and has affected us in all sorts of ways. But when we look back on it we’ll be able to say we used the time to launch a business. We’re two girls who went for it. If you’re thinking about launching a business I would 100% say go for it. Get in touch with Blackpool Unlimited first and they can give you so much information to help make life easier.”