I was on Dragons' Den AMA

[jajadingdongg]

I was on last Thursday's episode and happy to answer any questions! I've name changed so I can talk openly about it :-)

But anything you've ever wanted to know about Dragons' Den, ask away and I shall try my best.

@TeenPlusCat thanks so much, that's incredibly kind and yes that's why I name changed

@StringFellow I just didn't want people to see the other posts I've written on here about relationships or my random musings! Happy to openly talk about this.

@NameChanger45465465
Thanks so much, you are all being so kind!

@Redcrayons Honestly, I didn't think I'd get any so was so grateful when the offers started coming in! I was very happy with Deborah and Steven, they are a bit of a dream team with the different skills they bring.

@danni0509 Thanks! I have had AMAZING advice from the dragons and they have such vast networks that can help as well. That's been the real value for me.

@FAQs Sorry to hear about your Uncle, we're considering the older market for the lip balm and non alcohol hand sanitiser (so it's non toxic for care homes), we're looking at this later this year.
The jump-suit was only New Look! I really love it and felt confident in it

@jajadingdongg that would be fantastic because the constant wiping make his lips really dry and cracked, a tube he would have been able to open himself would be a bonus, many people who have strokes lose a lot of dignity and having someone wipe their mouth was something my uncle hated, he could do it himself when he realised so he could use a balm if it was user friendly.

Thank you for sharing the link. You were brilliant and I knew Deborah was going to make an offer as soon as you started talking about sustainability!

Sorry will be back in a bit guys just doing dinner!

You were great!

[quote jajadingdongg]@Belfastbird I am the Toddle lady! Thanks so much, that's very kind. The Dragons were all lovely, honestly really kind. They are assertive, but Peter Jones was a real surprise. He's a real gent.

@MichelleScarn thanks so much! I can't believe how well it went and how kind everyone has been.

@Vodka1 My pitch was 2.5 hours, they really go into everything! I got fed lunch beforehand and any drinks I wanted, they were very generous! Yes I go the investment, the deal went through! I'm this one...fb.watch/bEyVVUU9h2/ hopefully that's worked![/quote]
I worked for Peter Jones.

He is definitely NOT a gent.

So to answer some questions:

When You go and talk to the wall, it is literally just you moving towards a wall and having a think! It is a bit awkward but I was genuinely consumed with who I was going to pick. I did have massive heels on (I’m very short) so was a struggle to make it there and back!

They don’t let you do ‘do overs’ if you’re nervous. At no point did I get stopped or told what to do. They’ll just edit out the bits they don’t want. You do only get one chance at the pitch.

@Imyourvenus thanks so much 😄

@girlmom21 thank you, and yes Deborah REALLY knows her eco stuff! You can’t BS her, I really made sure I knew all of our suppliers credentials/accreditations before going in there

@FAQs I will include your note in our new product development plan, thank you.

@Yellowleadbetter thanks so so much, that’s a really lovely post to read on this Wednesday night 🥰

Did you know which dragons you'd be seeing ahead of time? Were you familiar with all of them already? I was thinking it must be awkward to be made an offer by a dragon you know nothing at all about!

Adding my voice to those who thought you were fantastic, I really enjoyed watching you!
I can’t remember which dragon said (I disagreed!) that your products wouldn’t appeal to someone with kids that are slightly older than your brand implies, for what it’s worth I know from my friends and family with kids that once you find a product you like you’ll stick with it for longer than it’s obvious use!
I’m so surprised that ‘I’m in the baby world’ Touker didn’t make an offer!
I found you so inspiring, I’ll be stocking up on your products very soon!

So many exclamation marks, sorry 🤦‍♀️

No questions, but thanks for posting. I enjoyed watching that and have immediately ordered some sanitiser. Well done!

I was upstairs trying to settle the baby on the boob and my husband text me to say there's this amazing woman on Dragon's Den with a great story and products you'd like. It was you OP. So inspiring!

What advice would you give about preparing for pitches?

I worked for Peter Jones.
He is definitely NOT a gent.

Oooo @Fairyarmpits, you can't say thar and then just disappear! We need details. 😂

@SuperSocks I did know, they let you know who they are going to be. Steven was new but I was already familiar with him, as I had listened to some of his business podcasts before.

@Fernsinthegarden Thanks so much- I sensed from the off it just wasn't his thing... I did go in there thinking he may be the only one interested though! How wrong I was!

@mrsprefect Thank you! It's a dream come true- I had practised the pitch, a lot. I also spent about 3 months systematically learning all my numbers on a spreadsheet (about 70 different figures in the end!), but I still didn't know if I was prepared enough! So the fact it's been so well received is incredible.

@Flittingaboutagain
I practiced the pitch until I was bored of it. I practised it on my husbands, the kids, the dogs! I practised it in my head whenever I was driving somewhere... so I knew it so well that there was just no chance of forgetting it.

I then created little pictures in my head for each paragraph. So when I got to the end of one paragraph, the picture told me instantly what to say next.

In terms of one the day itself, I went for a hard 5km run JUST before I had to be in the studio, this really helped get rid of any nervous energy I had.

Love Dragons Den and DH & I both agreed you were the best we have ever seen on it. Very well done, and it's been interesting reading your replies on here, thank you for sharing!

@Fairyarmpits That's sad to hear- he was came across as really lovely, and especially about my terrible parents, he seemed like a real family man.

My friend text me to say how brilliant you were & if he was a tenth as good as you his business would be roaring!!

Unfortunately he wasn't watching you 'live' & so I couldn't just quickly turn the TV On. I don't do Facebook, but do you know which series & episode yours on & I'll try iplayer etc.

I've just come to say you were amazing. Steven was truly in awe of you which was lovely to see!

How long was the process from original application to deal Going through?
Where are you based?

Congratulations

@FantasticFebruary thank you and thanks to your friend! It's here... I'm the last one on.

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00150hl/dragons-den-series-19-episode-9

@Sleepyquest I applied in March, had an audition in April, then a few months of due diligence, then it was filmed in June. Deal went through in September after some more due diligence and then shown on TV in March! So it's a long process. I'm in Gloucestershire.

Is it too early to see whether you get a boost to your sales due to the programme itself airing?

I just watched it yesterday as it happens and was also so impressed with you.

Do you wonder if your parents were watching?

@Thethingswedoforlove the web sales were instant, as were Amazon! And lots of retail interest now too. So I think we’ll see a sustained uplift from now on.

Regarding my parents, I hope they saw it. I know they won’t be in touch, as they haven’t spoken to me in 9 years, despite my best efforts! They’ve Never met their grand children. But I hope they saw it and what I have achieved in-spite of their best efforts.

@jajadingdongg soooo pleased for you re sales increases. You so deserve it.

And someone will mention it your parents. I’m sure of it. Well done for being you and being so strong despite it all.

Thank you for explaining how you remembered the pitch so well, there’s some brilliant pointers there!