Home Life Style Dragons’ Den judges left speechless at ‘heartbreaking’ speech by Ukrainian refugee who fled her home country with just her laptop and £5,000

Dragons’ Den judges left speechless at ‘heartbreaking’ speech by Ukrainian refugee who fled her home country with just her laptop and £5,000

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The Dragons' Den judges were left speechless during Thursday's episode over a speech

The Dragons’ Den judges were left speechless on Thursday’s episode after a “heartbreaking” speech from a Ukrainian refugee, who managed to secure four rare bids.

When entrepreneur Yana Smaglo was forced to flee her country two years ago following the Russian invasion, she left with only the clothes on her back, a laptop, and enough cash to start investing in her distribution business.

Appearing on the BBC programme, she presented her plans to expand her Ukrainian clothing distributor, ‘Nenya’, hoping to secure an £80,000 investment for a 10 per cent equity stake in the company. .

After hearing the heartbreaking story of how the young merchant built her business from scratch, several of the Dragons were left speechless; Deborah Meaden admitted the story had left her “stifled.”

She finally managed to get four rare offers from the Dragons, including the one she had asked for.

However, social media viewers were less convinced, believing the Dragons had only made an “emotional” offer, rather than analyzing the facts.

Despite concerns that her English was not “good” enough to understand the judges’ questions, Yana largely won them over and was offered investments by four.

Yana, who currently lives in Leeds, owns a distribution company that buys and sells authentic Ukrainian clothing internationally, which she hopes to sell into luxury retailers such as Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Clothing is priced between £70 and £150.

The Dragons’ Den judges were left speechless during Thursday’s episode by a “heartbreaking” speech by Ukrainian refugee Yana Smaglo (pictured).

Even though she had “no family left,” Yana had her sights set on doing everything she could to “help my country” by investing in quality Ukrainian products.

Explaining to the judges why he needed the investment, he explained that his chances of getting a loan in the UK were slim to none.

Delivering his speech, he said: “Our mission is to help Ukrainian businesses increase sales and support the economy through taxes and also create new workplaces for Ukrainian refugees in the UK.”

They currently have 98 wholesale partners on three continents and two department stores in the United Kingdom and the United States.

In just one year, the businessman managed to make an impressive profit of £100,000.

‘My goal is to build the largest distribution company with the best Ukrainian products and services. Made in Ukraine with love and courage,” he said.

After uttering the emotional tone, a wave of silence washed over the dragons, who were left speechless after hearing Yana’s heartfelt story.

Breaking the silence, Deborah Meaden said: ‘God, I feel a bit choked! I don’t drown very often, do I?

Although he ultimately decided not to invest, Peter Jones was visibly moved by his story.

Although he ultimately decided not to invest, Peter Jones was visibly moved by his story.

The businesswoman received exactly the offer she expected: Deborah, Steven and Sara (pictured) agreed to give her the money she wanted.

The businesswoman received exactly the offer she expected: Deborah, Steven and Sara (pictured) agreed to give her the money she wanted.

Meanwhile, Peter Jones called the speech “heartbreaking” but “inspiring” but was keen to take the questions.

Peter asked the native Ukrainian where the products were made.

She explained: “I currently have five brands in my portfolio, most of them originally made in the East, but they moved their factories closer to the West because the East is too dangerous.”

He went on to tell the judges that he initially wanted to sell only retail and that “wholesale had come out of nowhere,” although he had only found success after success by adding wholesale partners to his company.

“Now we have 98 and every month we add new members,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the speech sparked a particularly strong reaction from Deborah, who revealed that her sister is currently fostering a Ukrainian mother and her son, adding that Yana’s story had “really touched her.”

Eager to understand Yana’s history in business, she asked about her qualifications, to which she revealed that she had a master’s degree in finance and was the owner and designer of a women’s clothing brand while living in Ukraine.

Steven Bartlett equally praised the aspiring distributor and commented on her “incredible” profits, despite starting with just £5,000 of his own savings.

Appearing on the BBC programme, she presented her plans to expand her Ukrainian clothing distribution 'Nenya'.

Appearing on the BBC programme, she presented her plans to expand her Ukrainian clothing distribution ‘Nenya’.

1737673969 174 Dragons Den judges left speechless at heartbreaking speech by Ukrainian

1737673969 55 Dragons Den judges left speechless at heartbreaking speech by Ukrainian

However, social media viewers were less convinced and believed the Dragons had only made an offer

However, social media viewers were less convinced, believing the Dragons had only made an “emotional” offer, rather than looking at the facts.

“I ran away very quickly and grabbed something I had at home,” he told judges, telling them he had only managed to gather a bag for his documents, a laptop and £5,000, which he invested in the company.

When asked by Steven where she saw herself in five years, Yana said she wanted to be “the biggest distribution company” and “not just stop at the fashion business,” but bring the “best” products from Ukraine to the “rest of the world.” world”. .

“You’re very motivated, aren’t you?” Steven commented in response.

“When you lose everything, your job, your house and everything, and you need to rebuild your life, it motivates you a lot,” he said.

When Touker Suleyman asked her where she would sell her clothes, Yana assured her that the quality would be enough for companies like Harrods and Harvey Nichols to stock them.

“An added value is that it is produced in Ukraine; many people want to support it,” he said.

Touker said he thought the company would need more money and would offer £20,000 for 10 per cent, if the other dragons agreed.

Despite concerns that his English would not be sufficient

Despite concerns that her English would not be “good” enough to understand the judges’ questions, Yana completely won them over and was offered investments by four.

Meanwhile, the businesswoman received exactly the offer she expected and both Deborah, Steven and Sara agreed to give her the money she wanted.

But Peter Jones wasn’t convinced the company was “unique” enough. He said he had to stay “true to myself” and chose not to make an offer.

In the end, Yana opted to split the deal between Deborah and Steven, each getting a 5 percent stake.

The episode stirred emotions not only in the judges. Commenting on Incredible resilience and innovation on display. And some shrewd negotiations, too.

A second wrote: ‘A Ukrainian refugee comes to the country with five thousand dollars and starts a business and people criticize Dragon’s Den? What an inspiring story.’

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