An idea for a business can spring from the unlikeliest of starting points.

For proof, look no further than the Home WorX Ltd shop in St George’s and its co-owner Kim Robinson.

The shop opened its doors in June and is steadily building its customer base. At the same time Mrs Robinson is successfully expanding the availability of eco-friendly, innovative kitchen items and food containers on the Island.

It all started when she was looking for suitable lunch boxes for her youngsters.

“Every school that my children have gone to has had trash-free lunches,” she explained.

She came across a lunch box brand made in New Zealand, called Sistema, that was BPA-free.

BPA is the acronym for the industrial chemical bisphenol A. Some research has linked it to possible health effects in children when it seeps into food and drinks from containers made with BPA.

Mrs Robinson researched the brand and reached out to the company, proposing that she sell the lunch boxes and kitchen utility containers — which are microwaveable and freezer safe — in Bermuda.

She secured the licence to be the Island’s sole distributor of the products and soon set about demonstrating the benefits of the eco-friendly containers to St George’s Preparatory School and other organisations, including Argus and the Bermuda Public Services Union.

A number of stores now stock the items, including Lindo’s, Phoenix Stores, Roberston’s Drug Store in St George’s, and People’s and Caesar’s pharmacies. Mrs Robinson sells the multi-item value packs, kitchen utility and baking range at the Home WorX store on York Street.

“Everyone likes the containers, and the big thing is it comes in bright colours which Bermudians like,’ she said.

Discovering the Sistema range was just the beginning. Mrs Robinson found further eco-friendly and innovative kitchenware ranges to expand her shop inventory.

On display in the store is the Curious Chef range, which again is BPA-free and has strong environmentally-friendly credentials. These are kitchen tools designed to be used by youngsters.

Mrs Robinson explained that the utensils encourage children to prepare food and learn about healthier choices.

As with Sistema, she is Bermuda’s sole distributor of the Curious Chef range, which is now carried by Lindo’s.

Elsewhere in the shop is a selection of kitchen items from Switzerland’s Kuhn Rikon, including a nifty spill stopper that prevents pasta, potatoes and other starchy food from foaming or spilling over on your stove, and a dual knife sharpener that is proving popular with local fishermen.

Another range is called Collapse it. These are collapsible silicone food containers that save space when not in use, and can be taken straight from the freezer and safely heated in an oven or microwave.

Mrs Robinson’s keen eye for innovative kitchen items is evident around the shop, however she also hopes to expand into other things.

Home WorX already works with CellOne and Digicel to offer top-ups, and there is a corner of the shop where CableVision customers can pay their bills without having to go to Hamilton.

“Once we had the CableVision contract I thought ‘how can we create synergies’ and so we reached out to CellOne and Digicel,” said Mrs Robinson, who previously worked in the telecoms sector for more than 15 years.

She and her husband Jah-Jah, who is co-owner of the business, are looking to see what other companies needing to provide a service in St George’s might have it done through Home WorX.

The shop’s location in the heart of the old towne makes it ideal for customers to drop by, and this is encouraged. Some regulars pop in to chat and relax on the sofa at the back of the spacious, open-plan shop.

One of those occasional visitors is local MP Kenneth Bascombe, who has provided encouragement and support for the business.

“He’s my biggest fan. He keeps me motivated and focused,” said Mrs Robinson, who described the business as a work in progress.

“Some days are harder than others, because of the dynamics of St George’s, but hopefully things will look up in the next few months and we can get more inventory in.”

The shop also stocks a number of items created by Bermudians, including a Gombey doll ornament made by a local craftswoman, and Chiko’s seasoning range by chef Michiko Campbell. In the summer months it also sells the Otto (Out Of The Ordinary) range of Bermuda flip-flops.

“We like to help and try to promote other entrepreneurs,” said Mrs Robinson.

Home WorX is located at 39 York Street, St George.