Dragons’ Den star shows rare softer side as hopeful breaks down in tears over the death of her daughter
DRAGONS’ Den star Peter Jones has dropped his guard after listening to the inspiring story of a grieving mum.
Peter, 58, was visibly moved after watching artist Charlotte Clemence break down in tears while discussing the death of her daughter.
Charlotte had entered the Den with her husband Grant in the hope of securing a £50,000 investment in return for 25 per cent of their company Yard Art.
But she was overcome with emotion when explaining the story behind their UV and weatherproof outdoor art business.
Choking back tears, Charlotte told the Dragons: “I originally started my career in HR. I gave that up to have a family.
“Um… my life changed a little bit after children. We lost our daughter, so my life and outlook changed.
“I wanted to go back and do something that I loved, um, which was art. And it was a real tonic for me.”
Charlotte then broke off and apologised to the Dragons as her emotions got the better of her.
Composing herself, she continued: “So I started doing my own art and I started selling my own art.”
Charlotte then showed the Dragons one of the pieces she had created, to which Sara Davies told her: “It’s fabulous!”
The couple were then grilled on their finances, before being told by Peter that they were spending far too much money on the acrylics they were using.
“You are clearly overpaying for their product,” he told them.
But minutes later, Peter’s demeanour changed as he spoke about Charlotte and Grant’s tragic loss.
He said: “I would like to say that I have a huge level of deep admiration for you, Charlotte, to create something out of a beyond-nobody-could-ever-understand sad moment.
“I think that says a lot about who you are.
“So I’m giving you like, massive hugs for that because I think that is, you know… not many people can do that.”
Peter told the couple they could “scale this and have a wonderful business” themselves if they just sought out a better printers and a better business model.
He added: “I genuinely would much prefer you, in all honesty, to have much more of your business and actually not be part of that journey, and just read about you later on in life.
“For that reason, I’m going to say that I’m out. But big ups to you.”
Charlotte and Grant were met with a similar response from Touker Suleyman and Deborah Meaden.
However, Sara was excited by the couple’s business and offered them the full £50,000 in return for 35 per cent of Yard Art.
Steven Bartlett then agreed to a partnership with Sara, offering half of the money for 17.5 per cent of the business, that would drop down to 12.5 per cent if they make the investment back within in 12 months’ time.
Looking delighted, Charlotte replied: “We actually couldn’t ask for a better offer and we’d love to accept it.”
Sara and Steven immediately jumped up and hugged the budding business couple. Charlotte was then seen breaking down in tears as she and Grant got into the lift.
She told the cameras: “Having children and then you lose one, it’s tough. It’s about how we’ve moved on from that.
“I want my daughters to be proud of what I’ve done and achieved.”
Putting his arm around his emotional wife, Grant told Charlotte: “And they are, we all are.”