My Dragons’ Den experience

The Audition

I have always watched Dragons' Den, it’s one of my favourite programmes, so when I started my own business and I needed to make the leap from making it  semi- successful to Nationwide I thought to myself  “Do I have the guts to go on?”

 I had never done a presentation before and one of my biggest fears is public speaking (even more so now!) So could I deal with a viewership of 5 million on my first presentation!?

I have never shied away from a challenge, so I decided to make this one my biggest challenge yet!

After submitting an application to go on the show, I was so surprised and excited to be called by one of the producers,  who gave me a phone interview, then invited me to the BBC studios in Shepherds Bush for a formal filmed audition. The audition was 2 hours long and I had to talk about myself for 2 minutes flat while the producers timed me with a stop watch, it sounds easier than it was!

When I found out that I had been accepted to film for the show, I was on holiday with my family in a restaurant and it was the first time I couldn’t finish a meal!

The Day of Filming

I stayed at Pinewood studios the night before, as it was a 6.30 am start. I didn’t sleep a wink!

Going down to reception in the morning, I felt like I was walking the green mile, the hotel foyer was empty. I found a small table and watched as I saw a few other candidates arrive down for breakfast. No one talked to each other as I think we were all too nervous! Just a few glances and nods, knowing instantly how the other one felt.

The BBC runners came to our hotel and picked us up in van and took us to Pinewood Studios. I was escorted to a holding room, where the producers  went over the props that I was to take in the Den. This included a selection of toys I sell and 3 screen shots of the website, which were enlarged onto boards.

The executive producer decided to remove one of my boards, as he said I had too much information. This was a disaster for me, as I referred to all 3 boards in my pitch and I had practiced for 2 weeks until I was happy. I knew that even if I adapted my pitch, I would struggle to remember it over my original pitch, which I had rehearsed time and time again.

One by one the candidates were picked to enter the Den. After filming, the candidates are escorted straight out of Pinewood, so you don’t get to see how anyone else gets on and mobiles are forbidden. Then, after 12 hours of being in the holding room, seeing one after another candidate leave and not return, it was finally my turn.

Make-up and hair in 10 minutes and then a long walk to the Den, I felt sick to the stomach.

The Pitch

At the bottom of the stairs, I was told by one of the producers they would count to 3 and then I was to climb the stairs, reveal my props that were covered by a black sheet, stand on the point marked with an ‘X’ and start my pitch.

3, 2, 1, go. I could barely breathe, I walked onto the set, surrounded by bright lights and 20 camera crew and then attempted to pull the black sheet off of the toys, but the sheet got stuck under the wheel of the bike!

It was not a good start. I stood and began my pitch, but without thinking, I started reciting my original pitch, the one that referred to all 3 boards. When I took one board away from the easel and started to refer to the next board, I realised that it wasn’t there and I fell to pieces.

I tried over and over to pick up where I left off but my memory felt like it had been erased, I went into panic mode, the ‘Dragons’ sat with unreadable expressions and I asked if I could start again. One of the ‘Dragon’s’ said abruptly ‘No!’ and I crumbled.

Peter Jones attempted to break the silence but the new Dragon, Hillary, said “Give her some more time...” I was thinking “Please don’t give me any more time, please can someone just break this painful silence!” Eventually Peter started asking me questions which took me into my comfort zone, thank you Peter!

The more questions I answered, the more confident I became. We even had laugh when Theo, referring to my website database asked “What’s your back end like?” I nervously giggled and found it hard to stop!

Duncan wasn’t very keen on the concept of spreading the cost of presents between family and friends and declared himself out. Deborah also declared herself out, as she was concerned about my website going down with the increased traffic they had predicted.

Theo swiftly made an offer for the full amount (£60,000) but was worried that I hadn’t asked for enough money. He offered me another £20,000 if I need it and asked for 30% in return, opposed to the 20% I was offering.  Peter Jones undercut Theo to offer the same £60,000 and £20,000 should I need it for 25%.

Peter and Theo were my favourite ‘Dragons’ so to have an offer on the table for more money than I asked for was a dream come true.  Theo then matched Peter’s offer. I asked if they would split the 25% but they said it wouldn’t be worth their while to own 12.5% each of The Present Club. After a little deliberating I decided to give away 30% of my company for the expertise of 2 ‘Dragons’ for £60,000 and another £20,000 if I need it!

I was in the Den for about one and a half hours. I'm sure most people have the miconception that it's about 10 minutes but believe me it's edited to within an inch of it's life and in my case not in my favour!

I will never forget that day, it went from the worst day of my life to the best day, in the hour I was in the Den!

                 

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