smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Going the extra mile

Going that extra mile and selling harder doesn’t necessarily mean...
Have your say »

RSS

Victory for Dragons' Den duo

Aug 13 2008

Dragons’ Den entrepreneurs Carolyn Jarvis and Charlotte Evans received a big spike in website hits and customer enquiries after receiving an investment of £80,000 from serial entrepreneur Deborah Meaden.

Jarvis and Evans, the inventors of a hold-all that can be attached to a child’s pushchair, say they received nearly 2,500 hits to their website immediately after the show, as well as 250 emails from people interested in buying the product.

Says Jarvis, ‘[The show] was all a bit nerve-racking but we made sure we were well prepared beforehand and ready to compromise on the stake in our company.’

Three of the five dragons from the BBC2 TV programme expressed an interest in the duo’s product, Buggyboot. However, Deborah Meaden won the battle for a stake in the business with a 30 per cent shareholding – three times more than Jarvis and Evans were looking to part with.

The duo, who both have young children, got the idea for Buggyboot after a series of frustrating shopping expeditions. Jarvis explains, ‘We wanted to make the family shopping experience much less stressful.’

Comments

There are currently no comments on this article

Prize Draw

Free prize draw!

Smallbusiness.co.uk has teamed up with Avery® Quick&Clean™ Business Cards to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a copy of BBC Dragons' Den James Caan's new book The Real Deal and a pack of Avery® premium heavyweight business cards. To enter the prize draw, simply answer our question here

Polls

Latest News

Sectors roundup

With everyone feeling the pinch at the moment here’s a look at how different industries have been faring, and what lies ahead

Government money made available for SMEs

In his Pre-Budget Report Alistair Darling has announced a £1 billion small business finance scheme to help struggling companies gain credit.

London SMEs have ‘blitz spirit’

SMEs in the capital are showing the required fighting spirit to see them through these lean and trying times, according to research by advisory service Business Link.

Big brands join SMEs in property rate campaign

Large companies are joining the calls of SMEs to scrap empty property rates, in a letter being sent to the prime minister this week.

SME lending vital to curb recession

The government needs to pressure banks to lend to SMEs as a way of combating a shrinking GDP, says an economic adviser from the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC).

SMEs hit by rising costs

Small businesses are being hit on both fronts by price increases and losing customers as the economic crisis bites, according to new research.  

Post collection charges hit SMEs

Royal Mail’s decision to introduce a flat rate for fewer weekday collections has left small businesses paying more, says the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

SMEs tighten belts as fear of recession hits

UK businesses are taking action to cut costs and preserve cashflow as the fear of a serious downturn takes hold, a survey reveals.

Scrapped property relief rate hits SMEs

The government’s decision to scrap Empty Property Rate Relief has left many SMEs out of pocket, says the Forum of Private Business.

Confusion at minimum wage increase

Small businesses remain confused about the minimum wage increase on 1 October.

Late payments hitting SMEs

Small businesses are struggling to cope with an increase in late payments, a survey reveals.

Guides & Tips

Ten ways to improve cash flow

Smallbusiness.co.uk has some top tips for start ups on how to manage their cash flow smartly

Last minute tips for self assessment return

With the paper self assessment tax return deadline on October 31, Anita Monteith, technical manager of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Tax Faculty, has the following advice for ensuring you make the deadline.

Growth funding made easy

Carly Trisk-Grove started a cafe with her husband four years ago as a lifestyle business, but the couple have now secured £525,000 in funding to expand. Here she shares her top tips for getting investors on board.

Don't Miss

Grants for small businesses

Finding government grants for start ups can be like tracking down the golden fleece. But government finance for small businesses is available if you know where to look.

Recession beater: Martin Warner

Martin Warner is chief executive and co-founder of business networking site Talkbiznow. Despite the tough economic climate, the company successfully got funding and launched in August and is already making a profit.

Have your say: Funding for women

Financial institutions may well need a shake up when helping female entrepreneurs. SmallBusiness.co.uk speaks to some women in business about their experiences of raising finance and asks for your comments.

Store

FT Guide to Personal Tax

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Tax Guide, the FT Guide to Personal Tax is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc and Jonquil Lowe, this unique guide gives step-by-step advice to completing your tax return as well as 100 tax-saving tips.

FT Guide to Business Start Up

Formerly the Lloyds TSB Small Business Guide, the FT Guide to Business Start Up is now published by Pearson Education. Written by Sara Williams, CEO of Vitesse Media Plc, this unique guide has sold over two million copies. It offers practical advice about starting and running your own business.

Growth Company Investor

Growth Company Investor is widely recognised as the leading magazine for investors interested in AIM and smallcap companies. Published 10 times per year, and brought to you by an award-winning analyst team, it offers subscribers unrivalled insight into high-potential smaller companies. Subscribe today with a 50% discount in your first year.