The Apprentice: Thread 4

[Pebbledashery]

Suralan is watching you..

@Juno22

I don't understand the USP of Harpreet's business. Where I live those dessert parlours are everywhere. I don't see how she'd be able to grow her business much. And as for Katherine, if I want matching pyjamas made in China for the family I'll go to Primark. And if they haven't got them they will have soon.

Neither of these businesses are worth investing in. They'd be laughed out of Dragon's Den.

@Juno22 - agreed re Harpreet's business - they're everywhere! Funnily enough I live near both of the last (I think) Carina's businesses, Dough are. The new one she's opened seems to have done very well, I've been in there a couple of times.

Kathryn's idea was stupid.

It was interesting that of the two women who cried they were both sent home whereas the others didn't cry and stayed!

@Gonnagetgoing I also live near one of the branches of Dough!

Do all businesses need a USP? There might not be anything about Harpreet's business thar makes it vastly different from any other dessert parlour, but if it's in a place where people are buying and it's successful, does that matter? She's found an area where people like buying sweet dishes often enough to keep her profitable. She doesn't need a gimmick.

I quite like Catherine, but I don't get the matching pyjamas thing.. who needs matching pyjamas? Is it just something some people do for Instagram pics? Seems like a waste of money and how is it sustainable when it's being shipped from China?

I’m hoping Suralan isn’t expecting miracles here.

I reckon he has less chance of a decent return than me squeezing into chihuahua sized pyjamas and ramming my trotters into LV kiddy shoes, while getting off my tits on proteinous vodka and swelling my considerable arse with pancakes.

Bet you he wishes Aaron and Akshay hadn’t bodged.

There is a haughtiness to Kathryn. I didn’t like the pouty sneery stuff which was on display during the interviews when she was pulled up.

Bit rude.

I just don’t care about any of the businesses or any of the candidates. They aren’t even personable.

If I HAD to choose it would have been Stephanie. I just don’t think I would invest.

Thank goodness I haven’t got £250k burning a hole in myself’s back pocket.

Nobody NEEDS matching pyjamas, just as nobody NEEDS dessert parlours or second hand designer kids' clothing. Businesses don't have to work on what people NEED, just on what they want and are prepared to buy.

I think there probably is a market for matching pyjamas (the dog ones are hilarious) but you may be looking at people with more money to spend as it is somewhat frivolous and a bit niche. That being the case, if she goes high on quality and unique designs and can really sell on sustainability, she might be able to produce them more locally, charge appropriately and still have the market. Given these Apprentice candidates ALWAYS seem to aim for "premium" when they create products for their tasks, and hardly ever go for cheap and cheerful, this shouldn't be too alien a concept.

I don't think Sugar will be put off investing in a bakery just because he's already done that. If it makes him money, why would he mind?

I think it'll be close but I think on the strength of the businesses alone, Harpreet will win. I don't think anyone is truly worried about her sister; that seems a bit of a reach, just looking for something for TV to showcase as a negative, and ultimately if the business works and Sugar gets his cut, why would he care how they're doing it?

I didn’t like the pouty sneery stuff which was on display during the interviews when she was pulled up.

I actually loved her for that! She wasn't crying or defeated, she was ready to fight!

It wasn’t for me!

I can’t see any of my (considerably older and unenhanced) colleagues pulling that in meetings.

I’d look like fat elvis.

Ah huh huh.

Given that the series 4 winner lied on his CV and was outed at the interview stage, it doesn’t appear to matter what they say as long as it makes good TV.

Oh - I’m also in the considerably older and unenhanced camp.

Full disclosure.

Just so Claude doesn’t come after me.

But he is very very welcome for tea and cake. Always.

@SheldonesqueTheBstard

It wasn’t for me!

I can’t see any of my (considerably older and unenhanced) colleagues pulling that in meetings.

I’d look like fat elvis.

Ah huh huh.

🤣

Well, her looks help her. She's so beautiful that it's actually a distraction sometimes, and she really does have a winning smile. But I think I'd still admire that spirit however she looked. She's got a spirit of steel and even if pyjamas don't work out, I do think she'll find something that does.

For sure dr

There is a steely determination there that is admirable. Confidence is a beautiful thing.

I suppose I can’t speak. I have a Margaret brow that gives me away.

My displeasure wouldn’t be pouty. Or sneery.

Just an eyebrow tickling the back of my neck…

You’re fired was a mistake.

Just grat at Steph’s dad.

To have the knowledge that your folks are proud of you must be bloody wonderful.

I didn't get pouty or sneery, just sheer indignance.

@Juno22

I don't understand the USP of Harpreet's business. Where I live those dessert parlours are everywhere. I don't see how she'd be able to grow her business much. And as for Katherine, if I want matching pyjamas made in China for the family I'll go to Primark. And if they haven't got them they will have soon.

Neither of these businesses are worth investing in. They'd be laughed out of Dragon's Den.

They are pretty bad. But no good business is really going to end up on this show is it? They might go to dragons den, but not the hunger games of the business world.

Maybe 🤷‍♀️

I think she will be one of life’s winners.

Just maybe not with the jammies.

I was disappointed with Britney because I felt she was a really strong candidate until yesterday. I thought she might not get through as she hasn't actually established the product or run a business but I didn't expect her to be so naive. To not even think beyond ingredient costs (manufacturing, packaging, transport etc) seems a massive oversight. She kept concentrating on 10g protein per drink but this was fairly irrelevant when she didn't have a handle of any other figures!

I can't believe she hadn't got a sample or prototype drink for them to see/try. In fact she looked absolutely horrified when Mike said he'd made a version of the drink, like she knew it was going to be disgusting....But I can't understand wanting to promote, and encourage someone to invest in, a product you thought was horrible?

I don't find the final two all that unlikeable - I don't think they've been underhand or tried to set other people up (which has happened before) although I think Kathryn was quite dismissive of Shama in week one. Harpreet, I found quite overbearing in some of the tasks, but not bitchy.
I'm not into Instagram and I'm sure my kids and especially DH would be horrified about matching PJs, but there is definitely a market for it.several of my friends did matching pj pics at Christmas. I'm not sure how she came to equate "made in China" to "ethical and sustainable, though.

I actually loved her for that! She wasn't crying or defeated, she was ready to fight!
Me too. I was quite in awe of their confidence! Linda and Kareen are super sneery and look wheres it's got them!

I just can’t understand how Britney got anywhere near the process with her business plan…

Or lack thereof.

Re Brittany's drink, if you wanted protein with alcohol, couldn't you just have wine and cheese?

@Housewife2010

Re Brittany's drink, if you wanted protein with alcohol, couldn't you just have wine and cheese?

I like the way you think!

@DrSbaitso

Nobody NEEDS matching pyjamas, just as nobody NEEDS dessert parlours or second hand designer kids' clothing. Businesses don't have to work on what people NEED, just on what they want and are prepared to buy.

I think there probably is a market for matching pyjamas (the dog ones are hilarious) but you may be looking at people with more money to spend as it is somewhat frivolous and a bit niche. That being the case, if she goes high on quality and unique designs and can really sell on sustainability, she might be able to produce them more locally, charge appropriately and still have the market. Given these Apprentice candidates ALWAYS seem to aim for "premium" when they create products for their tasks, and hardly ever go for cheap and cheerful, this shouldn't be too alien a concept.

I don't think Sugar will be put off investing in a bakery just because he's already done that. If it makes him money, why would he mind?

I think it'll be close but I think on the strength of the businesses alone, Harpreet will win. I don't think anyone is truly worried about her sister; that seems a bit of a reach, just looking for something for TV to showcase as a negative, and ultimately if the business works and Sugar gets his cut, why would he care how they're doing it?

Okay you're right, need isnt the right word, there's plenty of businesses that produce things that no one needs.. I guess what I meant was, who wants them? And for the people who do want them, are they spending nearly £40 on each of them, or are they going to primark, Tesco, new look, Asda etc

Following on from my last post.. a matching set for a family with mum, dad, 2 kids and a baby plus a dog, would be £167 lol who is spending that on pyjamas? Also, why are the female pyjamas more expensive than the males?

I thought Steph's dad had died at first, the way they talked about him!

I actually think Brittany's plan might have a niche, but it wasn't ready enough for the show and needs some serious thought in how it's marketed (and how it tastes...).