What inspired you to apply to Dragons' Den?
I’ve been a fan of Dragons' Den for as long as I can remember, and for years, I toyed with the idea of pitching Guess Where Trips to the Dragons. But every time I’d think about actually stepping into the den, I’d get too nervous! Finally, I decided to go for it and submitted my application, fully expecting it would be months before hearing back—if at all. Instead, they called me the next day!
From there, the preparation began. I reached out to former contestants to get all the insights I could; they shared tips on everything from handling nerves to memorizing the elevator pitch. For the next few weeks, I drilled myself on every detail of Guess Where Trips, determined to be ready for anything the Dragons might throw at me.
What was it like backstage?
The day of filming was an early start: I had to be at the studio at 7 am ready with all my props. I was in a bit of a fortunate position since I didn’t have many items to bring—just a suitcase and one special prop that had to be brought onto the set for me: a luxury car (which production arranged for me). Next time you watch the show think about all the props that have to be arranged and sometimes flown in from across the country…all at the business' expense. I have a friend who drove all the way from Vancouver with her cat just to be on the show (the cat couldn’t fly).
What surprised me was how the schedule worked. You arrive with 3 or 4 other businesses, and no one knows who’s up next. You could be on as early as 9 am or have to wait until late in the day. Luckily, I got the first slot, which saved me from hours of waiting around anxiously. They tell you to bring “food and drinks for the full day” just in case you’re in there for an extended period of time.
One perk of bringing the car was that I got to step onto the set beforehand and check everything out. That brief moment definitely helped calm my nerves. But standing in the hallway waiting to go in? That’s when the butterflies really kicked in. There’s a small crack you can peek through to see the Dragons, and watching them get ready to hear my pitch was surreal. It’s one of those moments you just have to breathe through as pictured below!
How did your pitch go?
Once I started, I was in there for almost an hour and a half, which might surprise people who only see a few minutes of each pitch. One unexpected challenge? The Dragons were instantly drawn to the luxury car prop and assumed it was part of our offering, so I had to backtrack to explain that Guess Where Trips is a travel experience, not a car rental! Once that was cleared up, things moved smoothly. A favourite moment was inviting Brian and Michelle to hop in and “experience” a Guess Where Trip. They pretended to drive to the various stops, which brought a fun and interactive vibe to the pitch. I wish I could have taken credit for this experience, but it was the producer's idea! Once you’ve secured a spot on Dragons' Den you work one-on-one with a producer to come up with an interesting elevator pitch and demonstration. The one thing they don’t help you with is the questions that the Dragons will ask you after the pitch is done…
How did the Dragons react?
The Dragons mean business—right from the start, they were firing questions, sometimes over each other, which made it tricky to follow who I was answering! I tried lightening the mood with a few jokes, but they were very focused on getting answers and understanding the business model. The jokes definitely didn’t land. One unexpected back-and-forth happened when they asked why we don’t offer trips in a specific area. I explained how our model works, and it turned into a bit of a debate! I’ve heard a rumour that the Dragons get more intense as the day goes on so I’m grateful I was the first one into the den.
What was your biggest takeaway?
The Dragons brought up a few challenges I hadn’t considered, which gave me great insight into areas where Guess Where Trips can grow. After the pitch, I was honoured to win a NACO fellowship as one of ten female entrepreneurs on Dragons' Den. This connected me with an incredible group of founders who went through the Dragons' Den experience, and now we stay connected daily, sharing advice and support on everything from growth to day-to-day challenges. It’s been so interesting hearing their experience pitching to the Dragons!
How do you think this will impact your business?
I think the “As seen on Dragons' Den” label will really help boost and cement our credibility. Being on Dragons' Den has already been a great conversation starter, and we've seen a lot of interest at trade shows and markets just by mentioning the upcoming episode. I think it will renew excitement around our product, and get people thinking about where we're headed next.
Did you get a deal?
This is the question everyone’s been asking, but we’re keeping it under wraps! Tune in on October 31st at 8 pm on CBC (or stream it on CBC Gem) to find out. We can’t wait for everyone to see our pitch!
