Gemma, the founder of Big Boolies, pursued Art & Design at a college in Scarborough after completing her school education. During her final year at college, she crossed paths with Nick Mills, a self-proclaimed car enthusiast. The couple tied the knot in 1999, and after having a couple of children, Gemma sought part-time employment.
With two young children under the age of 5, Gemma found a part-time position in the T-Shirt department of a sign company based in Malton. Her desire to do something for herself and Nick grew, fueled by her newfound passion for printing and signage, particularly in the realm of T-shirts. Gemma, who had always been fond of the car scene and had her interest further ignited by Nick, saw a potential business opportunity in combining “Cars” with “T-Shirts.” This realization marked the inception of their entrepreneurial journey.
In Gemma’s words: “It all started in March 2008 at PC World when we purchased a £25 build-your-own website package, complete with a domain name. With funds from my mom, I acquired a budget plotter online. Having a computer at home and experience with design programs from college and self-taught computer skills, we had everything we needed. All that remained was to choose a name. As cliché as it may sound, Nick and I came up with ‘Big Boolies’ one morning in bed. We always playfully refer to alloy wheels or large tires on 4x4s as ‘Big Boolies.’ It sounded crazy but memorable—a crazy name that would stick and bring some humor and playfulness.”
The Boolies Moto Art division followed suit, utilizing existing equipment and Gem’s design knowledge to offer Vehicle Graphics and stickers.
In May 2010, Gemma transitioned to working full-time at Big Boolies, with Nick officially joining as a business partner, supporting the venture alongside his agricultural engineering job. A breakthrough came in June 2012 with a vehicle livery contract and collaboration with a local agricultural firm. This success prompted a move from a small office to an industrial unit on Showfield Lane in Malton. In November 2012, Big Boolies became a limited company with both Nick and Gem as directors.
With increasing demand post-relocation, Nick left his engineering job in May 2014 to become the company’s second full-time employee. Bigboolies.com Ltd, now trademarked and employing seven additional staff members, has become a local job provider, forming a cohesive #teamboolies.
The latest addition to the Boolies brand, Booler4x4, emerged in February 2017, reflecting Nick and Gemma’s shared passion for Land Rovers and off-road adventures. Nick’s expertise in off-road preparation led to the creation of custom Land Rover and 4×4 builds tailored to clients’ budgets and specifications.
As of now, Big Boolies has become a trademarked entity with a team of seven, creating job opportunities in the local community. The story continues with the addition of Booler4x4, showcasing Nick and Gemma’s ongoing commitment and passion for their work. The future remains uncertain, but their love for their jobs and the dedicated team is evident to anyone who meets them.