Posts Tagged ‘Programme 5’
Young Entrepreneurs – Brilliant!
Late call for Late Late
I was supposed to be away but got “volcanoed” with no flights. I had been asked to do The Late Late Show a couple of weeks back but we, the Dragons, had planned an end of series party, and I wasn’t going to miss it.
Then they started chasing me yesterday afternoon. It was only then I got talking to John, a researcher, from the show. Orlaith, my wife, and I had all the baby sitting arrangements in place so we were planning on just heading to a hotel and chilling out for the weekend. But Sean Gallagher then phoned and asked me to come on with him – “it will be better crack if we do it as a two hander” he coaxed. So I agreed. It was the best way to do it. I hadn’t been thinking about it all week. I just got time to go home get changed and head to the studio.
Behind the scenes of the longest running chat show in the world.
Got there at about 9pm and was brought to the green room. Had a quick drink and a sambo, I was starving and soon after Sean and Trish arrived. She really is a beautiful woman with the most gorgeous eyes and a warm smile, then I look at Sean and wonder????
Down to make up. Where I see on the list Sean and I are on first thing and following us is the Green Party leader John Gormley. We are sworn enemies. I love meat and he is campaigning for a meatless society. I don’t want to be vegan but that’s the way the Greens want to world to end up in the next generation or two. But we are polite to one another.
The make-up artists ask when will TanOrganic be in the shops?
I explain late May it will be in all the pharmacies. Interestingly they all call it by name – “TanOrganic” – it is already a regognisable brand name. Another asks me about Herbie and Minister Gormley’s driver wants to buy a HidBin.
Meet the Four Young Entrepreneurs.
I am slagging Sean that there seems to be a demand for my products. At 9:20 we meet the four young entrepreneurs who will be on the show with us. I’d like to get their names and a brief but their Mams and Teachers want photos of their big night so we pose for a few shots. I note it is the poor Dads who take the pics – always the same the Dads are there to record the moment but be not in it. So I make a mock big fuss and say I am not doing the show until I get photos with the Dads.
Wow we’ll be on any minute!
I can see in the background there’s a TV and the news is over. I am clearly not going to be told anything about what we are going to talk about.
Stephen, who shepherds the guests, takes us to studio 4 and we are taken to the back of the set. I can hear Ryan the far side of the curtain saying to the audience right guys we’ve one minute.
He then appears through the curtain – “Guys great of you to come enjoy the show. Gavin you go here….” I say ”No put Sean beside you first and come to him before me because I have no idea what we are doing.”
Then the theme music explodes – Ryan runs up the back of the stairs and the show is on. Sean is beside himself laughing that absolutely no one has told me what I am doing and keeps saying “you’ll be grand” and next thing we hear, …Sean Gallagher and Gavin Duffy and we are on.
“Go guys – good luck”
But genuinely Ryan is fantastic to be on with. He is such good fun and Sean and I hang around together so much it it like being in his living room in Blackrock, County Louth, except his room has a higher ceiling. It has, what the Yanks call, “a cathedral ceiling”. The room has magnificent views of the beach and sea.
The item is a brilliant one. I haven’t seen it back yet. I don’t look at shows I am on, including Dragons’ Den. It is the four finalists is the Young Entrepreneur show. Rather than go through it here check it out for yourself on the RTE Player.
But it really was uplifting and inspirational to see these young people make their pitches. The ideas were really, really very good.
TanOrganic
Ryan asked me about TanOrganic and was it going to be the really big breakthrough international product from Dragons’ Den. So I explained how it is 100% natural and organic and revealed about the interest we have had from the international market. But he was wanting to move along so I only got to mention Herbie’s Toilet Pipe Cover and the HidBin and that all three are at the Ideal Homes Show this weekend in the RDS.
After about 25 minutes it was all over and during the commercial break we slipped out of studio. More photos with the young entrepreneurs and then back to the Green Room. To my horror two boobs. I forgot to wish luck to Boyne against Tullamore in the Towns Cups Final this Sunday. I have two nephews, Prop, Cillian Duffy and centre, Bevan Duffy on the Boyne team. And for one of the items I said that Vodafone and O2 should be involved. Of course I should have mentioned Meteor where my brother in law works. He gave me an awful slagging later on the phone.
We just chilled out. The other guests were just sitting around. Riad and Siobhán two young gays were lovely as were their families. John Gormley came back in and spoke to Sean. We exchanged pleasantries. Michael Colgan appeared a cold fish. Michael Gambon just carries that bemused look about him always so why force a conversation with them so we just had our own crack. Orlaith and Trish had great fun with all the texts Trish was getting asking her was she pregnant? Apparently as Sean was mentioning the Pregnancy Show he is promoting I said “Yes Ryan Sean has even got pregnant for the event.” So I have started another false rumour.
“It all started on The Late late Show.”
After a while we split and headed home. Final comment about The Late Late Show. People forget long before Dragons’ Den there was an enterprise slot on the Late Late with Gaybo. Stira, the attic stairs, and John Concannon’s amazing multinational JFC Plastics all started on the Late Late.
I came away thinking last night the show is still brilliant, top of the ratings, so professional and with Ryan and Executive Producer, Jim Jennings, in good hands.
Next Blog - Monday.
Dream comes true with help from Den – Recovering from a brief, blank, nervous moment, designer Karen Morgan went on to slay one dragon with her pitch
Sunday March 28 2010, Sunday Independent
For just one scary moment, that felt an age, I went blank in the Dragons’ Den. But I recovered and eventually got an investment from Niall O’Farrell. My business is Karen Morgan Ceramics and I create pieces that are as unique as they are beautiful.
My journey to the den started at the Limerick School of Art and Design on finishing my Leaving Cert.
It was no surprise to my parents, who I’d like to thank for giving me the freedom to make my own choices and follow my passion.
It was in my second year in college when my tutor, Kieran Whitelaw, taught me to make my first coil pot, when my love of working with clay began and the course of my creative career was given direction.
I then trained under Gus Mableson while I attended the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Pottery Skills course in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.
Gus has always been a great source of knowledge and encouragement to his students
And now, long after I have finished my studies he still has time and sound advice to share.
Starting a business is all hard work but I did take time out to teach pottery to tourists on a cruise ship sailing between Australia and New Zealand.
On returning to Ireland, I focused all my energies on my design work and ideas really started to flow and take off.
In 2006, my Pestle and Mortar design won first prize in the Habitat House and Home Student Designer of the Year. My concept was to combine sculptural forms with everyday function to create work which was beautiful and ergonomic.
Collaborating with local artists to establish Earthworks in Thomastown, a co-operative studio and gallery, was an affordable starting point for my business.
With help from the Kilkenny County Enterprise Board its doors opened in August 2007.
After working incredibly hard for the past three years in Earthworks, things were going well. I had a good range of products that sold as fast as I could make them.
I wanted to bring things further but needed funding for expansion and equipment. I also needed to work on my marketing and branding to compete in a larger competitive market.
I felt I had the products and ideas but none of the contacts or marketing experience. When a good friend suggested I apply to go on to the Dragons’ Den I initially thought, “no way!” I’m quite a shy person and couldn’t imagine doing something so scary.
People who know me can’t believe I went on the show and to be honest I still can’t believe it either, it was totally surreal. But it seemed such a golden opportunity that would bring me so much closer to my dreams of being a leading name for Irish craft and design.
When you see a chance to manifest your dreams you just do it even if it is nerve wrecking. I took a risk putting myself out there but thankfully it paid off.
It was a really good experience entering the den, and the feedback was really positive. The dragons loved my work and although it was tough and some dragons felt the giftware market was flooded, they were all very nice and respected my choice to keep my business handmade in Ireland.
Although four dragons opted out, I was delighted when Niall O’Farrell made the offer and saw the potential in my designs.
My gut feelings about Niall were right.
He is a down to earth guy and honest.
We are on the same wavelength in terms of where we see the business going and he respects the fact that I am the creative drive and name behind the company.
It is great to have Niall’s practical experience in business and marketing.
We are working on branding and packaging at the moment and I have already increased my order numbers.
I am working on a new commercial range and plan to attend some of the larger trade fairs in the UK this year. I am proud of myself for what I have achieved by going on Dragons’ Den.
It’s been such a positive move to have Niall on board and I am very excited about the future. I am not sure RTE fully appreciates what it is doing here.
Dragons’ Den is not just an entertainment show. For me I know it offered a life changing opportunity.
And for a young ceramics designer trying to establish herself in these difficult times to be given the opportunity to tell my story in Ireland’s largest selling newspaper is just the type of lifeline a start-up business can only dream of.
But I am not dreaming. I am on my way to achieving my dream and all I can say is Dragons’ Den will prove to be the difference between struggling and thriving.
karenmorganceramics.com info@karenmorganceramics. Telephone: 086-1663691
Anthony Walker
I loved Anthony Walker the New Yorker who was a great talker, but valuing plastic bags at €1m was a shocker. His idea was so good everyone will copy it but the Dragons didn’t think it was investable.
Brian Boru Sauce
It was like the battle of Clontarf all over again. Bobby Kerr did not like the Dane’s sauce.
Another Golf Idea
What is it about golf, that it keeps throwing up so many ideas? The one thing we learned from this item is that there is loads of sex going on in golf clubs – that is according to Sarah Newman.
20 For Out
I am always a bit disappointed when some presentations from the Den only get a short airing TV in the end. Joe and his daughter were lovely people and presented so well. Yes, I know they didn’t get an investment but I thought their item deserved more airtime.
537,700 Viewers
Thanks for watching the show. 537,700 watched last week. The numbers are going up every week, so thank you for all the support and again I promise I will try to answer all your queries.
Next blog, as usual, on Monday morning. Bye.