Dragon’s Den viewers weep for the businessman who suffered from terrible nerves
Viewers were wowed by a petrified businesswoman at Dragon’s Den last night, with some calling her speech “one of the best” they’d seen on the show.
Caroline Sims, from Watford, appeared on BBC1 last night where she told employers she was extremely nervous.
He asked for £60,000 for a 10 per cent stake in his brand of herbal supplements, Botanycl, and managed to wow businessmen despite his nerves.
Despite having to take time to cool down throughout her presentation, Peter Jones and Stephen Bartlett were impressed with her, saying they would each chip in £30,000 for a claim of 10 per cent of the business.
Meanwhile, many viewers raved about the businessman, writing: ‘Well done Caroline. It would have been so easy to rescue before he left, and she faced fear head-on with him and crushed him!
Viewers were left in tears last night after businesswoman Caroline Sims confessed she was “terrified” when she launched Dragon’s Den, with some saying it was one of the best performances to ever appear on the show.
Another wrote: ‘I’m really sorry for Caroline tonight. She obviously cares a lot about her business and I’ve been in her nervous position (but obviously not on the same level) before. Well done.’
A third added: “Nervous pitches that beat the odds are probably my favorite, and Caroline might be up there with the best on the show after that.”
Appearing on the show, Caroline explained: ‘My heart is racing. I’m imagining walking there for the first time and I really can’t get past it.
‘So I’m like…it’s the fear of the unknown, I think.
‘The only thing that worries me is if my nerves get the better of me when I’m there. But fingers crossed I still get all the messages I want to get across.’
Walking into the studio, he asked, ‘Shall I start now?’
She took several deep breaths before beginning her presentation, saying, “My name is Caroline and I’m here today to ask for £60,000 for a 10 per cent stake in my brand of herbal supplements, Botanycl.”
‘I started Botanycl after a long battle with bad skin in my twenties. And there was nothing on the market to fix it.
‘Frustrated with the lack of results and my lack of self-esteem, I began tirelessly researching the problem which led me to the conclusion that a hormonal imbalance was wreaking havoc on my skin.
‘Through my research, I discovered the best herbal ingredients to fix the problem. And within a week of taking them, my skin started to clear up. I decided to develop a product, Skinclear Elixir so that women all over the world can share my discovery.’
She said it had a patent granted in the UK and was listed with Holland and Barrett and online with Superdrug.
Many viewers raved about the businesswoman, with one saying her speech “could be among the best on the show.”
She said: ‘Since its launch in 2018, we’ve generated over £800,000 in sales.
“Botanycl plans to further expand the vegan beauty line with a men’s skin supplement, plant-based hair growth formula, and more.”
After finishing the pitch, she said, ‘Sorry, I was so nervous!’
Peter Jones told him to “relax”, telling him it was “a very good pitch”.
He said: ‘You should be proud of what you’ve done from the beginning, or don’t you sit back and congratulate yourself?’
She told the Dragons she had around £5,000 in cash, saying it was “very hand-to-mouth”.
Deborah Meaden told her: ‘This makes me uncomfortable. You have a big problem making this product stand out against all the others. I receive samples of things that I must do to lead my life better. There is nothing in this bottle that tells me you have a totally different approach.
Caroline told business people that she was extremely nervous ahead of the launch that was featured on the show last night.
The businessman ended up accepting a joint offer from Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett (pictured)
She said she had seen a plethora of products similar to Caroline’s product, before saying she was ‘out’.
After Peter asked her why she had a chair next to her, she confessed: ‘I was extremely nervous today. I struggle a lot with anxiety.
Peter said: ‘I’m going to ask you to sit in that chair. The reason I want you to sit in that chair is because I want to make you an offer. I love the business, I think your brand is fantastic. I can open any door for you at any retailer in the world and I can help you with e-commerce.’
He offered her all the money for 25 percent of the business.
She thanked him and said, “I guess I needed to sit down for that.”
Meanwhile, Steven Bartlett said he was willing to make him an offer as well, saying he would give him £60,000 for 20 per cent.
Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies also made offers for the business.
The entrepreneur managed to put her nerves aside and asked Peter and Steven to work together.
They agreed, with Caroline confessing, ‘I’m shaking! I literally can’t believe what just happened. When Peter asked me to sit down, I don’t think it was because of an offer.
‘I didn’t expect four dragons out of five.’