To Dragon or not

[anonymous]

o.k, so i have a been contacted by the production team of Dragon's Den, done the application and have had a little screen test (how many more stages, I'm not sure) but i have my fingers crossed. it's all come about really quickly and only now is it starting to sink in that i could very well make a prat of myself on prime time!:blusingan!

I think my business idea is pretty sound, although i am bricking it about the presentation. There are so many arguments for and against, but whatever the outcome the free publicity would be great and much needed.

So my question is, would you do it?

[funkyfish]

Definately, just have your figures and finances all sorted.

You only look a prat if you are not organised - am sure you will be fine.

As you said publicity is free!

Good Luck

[Daffs]

Me personally? No. But then I don't make anything. You go for it and good luck!

[Purplecat]

go for it!! Theo is my sis boss, he's really nice. (she works for Rymans but he quite often comes in, even fitted the carpet she choose just coz she asked nicely)

[Sarah]

I say go for it but make sure you have a sound business plan and costings as they rip people to shreds if they've not done a business plan and market research.
It's better to try things and regret it than to always wonder 'what if' imo.
Sarah x

[*nicki*]

i would say go for it

[Furbee]

Go For It!!!!!
As long as you have all the deatils that they ask for, then you have nothing to lose. Im sure that you will be great and do fine.
xxx

[lajlaj]

I'd go for it now, wouldn't have done a few years ago but would now. I would definately agree, you need to know your figures inside out and back to front.

Good luck.

[Miranda]

Go for it. Even if you do fall flat think of the PR, you're bound to get SOMETHING out of it. And even if you didn't want investment you can do as LingsCars did and turn them down. She got loads of business and made herself a household name from it.

See if you can get any training in presentation skills via Business Link

I would get yerself on the private forum nearer the time or pick a few of us to pick holes in your pitch and to go over the figures you need to memorise with a fine toothcomb for loopholes - lets face it we've all watched DD enough to know where they trip people up

[bdarling]

i would do it :D

[anonymous]

Thanks ladies, i am going to follow the process as far as i get, but i am still unsure.

If successful, it means giving up so much of my business, i would be willing to go to 40% at a push (a very big one), i am only asking for £70.000, as it's a service rather than product. As a friend has said it is better to have 60% of something, rather than 100% of nothing, i don't agree with the nothing, but get the point. You couldn't buy their experience and contacts.

Maybe the ideal situation would be not to get funding but still get the publicity. Both Lings Cars & Yoga Bugs failed with the dragons, but went on to become very successful.

I wholeheartedly agree about learning your figures, back to front, inside out and back to front again. I have dusted off my business plan and will get an accountant friend to help with me learn the figures. i really don't want to muck up that bit.

Will keep you all informed, wish me luck :hyper:
x

Edit: Thanks Miranda, was typing while you posted, dont have enough posts for the privet section, but may well beg for access nearer the time.

[Seren]

Good Luck, let us know when you are going to be on. Make sure you know your figures, don't overvalue the company and smile. I would love to meet Theo and Duncan

[Dino]

If I thought I had a good enough idea, then I would go for it.

Like the others say, know your figures inside out, your previous sales and profit and forecast for the next 5 years, and don't over value the business. If your idea is good and your figures are realistic, you'll be fine. Also have clear idea about what you will spend the funds on if they invest.

I think it would be great to meet the Dragons and whatever the outcome, the publicity will be great.

Karen

[poppet]

Im a newbie but have read this thread with interest. I too think you should go for it, not everyone gets the opportunity and if nothing comes from it you will gained valuable expereince in delivering a pitch and thinking on your feet under pressure, its gotta be a good thing.

[knotjustjigs]

Me personally no, but thats because a lack of confidence in that area !
I would advise anyone with the bottle to do it to go for it!

Good Luck

Ketty x

[scaramatic]

oooh how exciting, i love Dragons Den.. who are ya and whats ya business?:cheesy: then we'll tell ya if you should do it!



Not really, id say go for it.. got nothing to lose and you may get good advice even if you dont get the money :crossfing

[baby-bean]

I'd do it, but would bring OH to talk figures.

[ann0024]

I have to agree with Knotjustjigs, I couldn't do it. But if you have your facts and figures right and can answer the question they throw at you, go for it. Do keep us posted, I don't watch it much and wouldn't want to miss it. Good Luck

[anonymous]

Thank you all,
I want to take my sister, she is much better than me at figures and has been my sounding board since i started, so knows the business back to front. however she is on bloody holiday, mobile off, typical!

The thought of being under so much scrutiny has made me start to doubt my abilities, business idea and everything else! I will probably get all worked up for nothing and even if i do get on, i'll be one of those that just gets shown walking up the stairs and then going straight back down again :D.
But as everyone has said, it's an learning experience. Fingers crossed.
:help10:

[MerrilyMe]

I wouldn't (but i'm a coward who can't take rejection!) but i think anyone smart enough to learn from the mistakes of people in previous episodes and know their stuff inside out would be a fool to turn down the chance.

And even if they poo poo you, it doesn't mean you won't do well. Whenever i see Bedlam Cubes doing well on Amazon, it always seems to be because that episode has been on again and i bought my Yoga Bugs dvd after seeing them on too. I nearly always look at any site that gets mentioned in it.

[Mary Poppins]

I personally wouldn't do it either, like Ketty and MerrilyMe, I wouldn't have the confidence and would feel really awful if they tore me or my business to pieces. If you have the confidence to go ahead with this, the publicity that you will get can really make your business and I applaud you in doing this. Let us know if you get to go onto the programme and how it goes. Best of luck.

[ann0024]

My site gets more hits after that episode is shown again. So think of it as PR. Go for it.

[Jen]

What did you decide to do?

[anonymous]

Sorry missed this as have not been on for ages. I decided not to go for it, as i started preparing my figures and just felt they weren't strong engouh and that i wasn't ready.
Despite the bravo, I'm a big baby really!

[shazgh]

thats a shame, maybe in the future, you gonna reveal yourself then - lol