The new season of Dragons’ Den is well and truly underway, and it got me thinking: what would I have done differently if I had the chance to go back and do it all again?
Going on Dragons’ Den is one of those experiences that looks very different from the outside than it feels when you’re actually standing in that room. You can prepare your numbers, rehearse your pitch and anticipate the questions, but there’s no real way to replicate the pressure of having five Dragons sitting opposite you, knowing that every answer could influence whether you walk away with an investment.
Looking back, there are plenty of things I’m proud of, but there are also a few things I’d tweak if I had my time again.
Watching the new series has made some of those lessons particularly obvious. Seeing other entrepreneurs walk into the Den has brought back plenty of memories - the nerves, the adrenaline, the excitement and, perhaps most importantly, the moments where you realise afterwards that you could have handled something differently.
So, if I were heading back into the Den this season, here are the seven things I’d do differently...
1: Given myself a pep talk about my insecurities. Nothing prepares you for HD TV.
2: Pushed back on the deal I was offered and why. £50k for 20% is madness!
3: Been brave enough to turn down the deal on camera.
4: Pushed for more female Dragon’s. 4 men > 1 woman highlights the lack of female investor / founder representation in the UK!
5: Be more prepared for the adrenaline come down.
6: Had moral support with me. It was crazy to do all that on my own!
7: Gone to the loo again before filming. I didn’t know I'd be in there for 1hr 45 mins...!
You can watch our episode of Dragon's Den and watch our pitch here...
