Dragon's Den is a television series.
Dragon's Den is a show where entrepreneurs with business ideas pitch them to the wealthy investors known as "The Dragons".
If you feel you'd like to apply for the show visit https://www.innovate-design.co.uK and click on the "request info pack"
The pack includes; the investing for profit guide, patent advice & how to patent an idea, confidentiality agreements and idea submission forms.
I wish all budding entrepreneurs the best of luck for the future!
I have recently been in contact with several people who appeared on the show, some who received investments from a dragon(s), some who were offered investments but turned them down and some who were rejected however all entrepreneurs I've spoken to went on to build their business and make it a success.
My first interview is with the Blue Badge Company, a company that enchances independence in the everyday lives of people with disabilities. 40% of the people working for the company have domestic responsibilities or a disability of some sort. The staff consists of many wonderful and talented people and let's not forget the team mascot who is a beautiful white dog called Bodhi.
Blue Badge Company
It all started in 2011 when two friends sat in the bedroom of a small house in Bristol, hand stitching specially designed wallets for disabled parking permits. Fed up with what we saw as the universally dull, clinical products available to disabled consumers, my friend, a Blue Badge holder, and I aimed to create colourful display wallets that would inject some style into the disability market. Thanks to better healthcare and an ageing population, the number of elderly and disabled consumers is growing fast, but until now they have been largely overlooked by major retailers and been limited in choice to dull, clinical products that say more about their disability than personality and tastes. We set up Blue Badge Company to change this and happily high street stores seem to be waking up to the growing demand from disabled consumers for stylish and desirable products.
The Dragons loved our brand and products, but I declined Touker Suleyman’s offer as he wanted to take our manufacturing overseas, and we are all about being Made In The UK! So I left the den empty handed, but thankfully Blue Badge Company has been reaping the benefits ever since. The show made far more people aware of our beautiful products and orders have flooded in ever since.
We are proud to be UK manufacturers and all of our parking permit holders are handmade in our workroom in Bristol. About 40% of our workforce either has a disability or is a primary caregiver, which ensures the team has a first-hand appreciation of various disabilities from mental health issues to physical impairments. I believe a company is only as strong as the team behind it. Providing work for people who find it more difficult to access employment really boosts personal confidence and team moral.
Our best selling product so far has been our Navy Drill parking permit cover, which is popular with kids and adults, men and women alike! We are also seeing more and more orders come in for our practical cushioned lap trays that come in fabulous fabrics to brighten up the everyday!
We are really excited to keep innovating to improve people’s experience of everyday life. We have just launched a new range of colourful folding walking sticks with matching carry cases, as well as toiletry bags and purses, ideal for storing everything from lipstick and shower gel to painkillers and medical equipment that our customers need to have with them at all times.
Please visit Blue Badge Company at:
www.blue badge company.co.uk ______________________________________________
What is your business name? AWAKE Chocolate
Contact details - Matt Schnarr, co-founder and managing partner
When and why was the business established - Founded in 2012 to provide people a great tasting alternative to coffee and energy drinks.
What products do you sell - AWAKE Chocolate bars and bites. AWAKE Energy Granola (sold in 2,000 Walmart USA stores, see www.awakegranola.com)
Where are your products manufactured - Made in Canada
What was your experiences of being on Dragons Den - It was and continues to be great. David Chilton invested in our business and continues to be a great friend, mentor and advisor.
What are your plans for the future of the business - Continue to launch great tasting ways to wake up. Grow our awareness and distribution across North America.
AWAKEChocolate.com
AWAKEGranola.com (NEW!)
What Is AWAKE Video
Hyper Activities Video
AWAKE on Dragons Den
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