Deborah Meaden thrills fans as she rips into Dragons’ Den contestant for ‘winking at Peter Jones’ in middle of grilling
DRAGONS’ Den star Deborah Meaden ripped into a contestant for getting distracted and “winking at Peter Jones”.
Marketing expert Lucy hoped to impress the Dragons with her company Taboo, introducing a durable pill case designed for people who need to take medication frequently.
The young businesswoman admitted that she was nervous to face the Dragons but tried to put aside her fears to deliver a confident pitch.
She then revealed how her own personal health battle had given her the idea to create the product.
She told the Dragons: “Following the reconstruction of my digestive system to remove a pancreatic cancer back in January 2020, I was told I would need to take medication with food for the rest of my life.”
Lucy explained that she was handed a plastic pill case and “sent on her way”, saying she felt “anxious” and “uncomfortable” when food was involved in social settings.
She decided to build a business and brand to remove the “taboo” around medication with a more attractive looking pill container.
Lucy was looking for £50,000 for 25 per cent of her business.
Getting to the nitty gritty, Deborah wanted to get a grip on its margins.
But Deborah failed to get the answers when Lucy repeatedly became distracted by fellow Dragons Peter and Touker Suleyman.
Lucy said the product sells at £18 and costs £4.80 to produce.
She then turned to Touker and said: “Very quickly Touker looking at you, I’m going to jump in as I think you’re going to come to me and say that I could have made that in a factory for 75 cents.”
Touker smiled and said: “Can I say something,” to which an unimpressed Deborah piped up: “No you cannot, can you concentrate on me please, go back to Touker but right now I should follow my line of questioning.”
Deborah continued to question her about her company’s finances, leading Lucy to comment: “Hopefully I will sort out manufacturing with her good friend Touker or any of you and the margins would become a bit better”.
The Dragons were left cringing for the hopeful, which was only made worse when Lucy looked over at Peter and gave him a cheeky wink.
It didn’t go unnoticed by Deborah who called her out and said: “It would be really helpful if you concentrated on me rather than winking at Peter and answering Touker’s questions.”
Lucy quickly apologised but Deborah had already made her mind up and decided to withdraw, while Steven Bartlett was next out.
It was decision time and first up was Touker, who was impressed by the concept and offered her £25,000 for a 20 per cent investment in her business.
This was followed by Peter who stunned the brand guru with a life-changing job offer within his portfolio, while also offering £25,000 for a 20 per cent investment.
Sara Davies was the last Dragon to make an offer of 35 per cent for all the money, reducing to 25 per cent when she gets her money back.
Lucy then proposed that all three Dragons could team up, splitting the £50,000 investment among three Dragons for 40 per cent of the company.
Peter, Touker and Sara all agreed, leaving Lucy chuffed with the outcome.
Fans praised Lucy for her first-rate negotiation skills after a rocky start.
One wrote: “Investment offer plus a job offer by Peter Jones.. Lucy still negotiated a better offer.”
Another posted: “Inspired by Lucy’s story on this years #DragonsDen I’d be just as nervous as she is.”
A third added: “Wow, what an offer from Peter Jones! They love Lucy.”