Canadian Dragons' Den contestants who went on to make millions
lovemoney staff
19 September 2018
Success stories from the Canadian Den
Season 13 of Dragons' Den is launching with two new Dragons – Lane Merrifield and Vincenzo Guzzo – joining the line-up. But what happens when the cameras stop rolling? We profile the series' success stories, both those who bounced back from rejection and businesses that have gone from strength to strength since the Dragons' investment.
Michael Zimmerman: Group IV Solar
When sustainable energy entrepreneur Michael Zimmerman pitched his Group IV Solar business to the Dragons in 2014, he got a real grilling. They rubbished Zimmerman's business plan and he left the show with zero investment.
Michael Zimmerman: Group IV Solar
Fast-forward to 2018 and Zimmerman's solar energy enterprise is booming. The clean energy trailblazer has managed to set up a solar farm that produces enough energy to power 100,000 homes, netting him millions of dollars.
Greg Bay: Coretection
Greg Bay's request for a $378,000 investment in exchange for just 15% of his sports compression shorts business went down like a lead balloon back in season two (2007).
Greg Bay: Coretection
Not that it mattered in the long run. After the show aired, Bay clinched a deal with sportswear giant Under Armour, which now manufactures the shorts and markets them to NBA, NHL and NBA athletes.
Andi Marcus: Mistura Beauty
In 2009, Andi Marcus brought her six-in-one makeup product – which claimed to act as a foundation, eye shadow and lip shade that adapted to any skin tone – to the den. Marcus wanted $200,000 for 10% of the business, a prospect which initially captured the interest of Dragon Brett Wilson. However, no deal was ever finalized.
Andi Marcus: Mistura Beauty
But the lack of Dragon investment didn't matter. After the episode was aired Marcus received a call from Costco, and the product generated $850,000 in the year after appearing in the den, with Marcus claiming that the company grew "1100%". The make-up brand can be bought online or at over 700 stores across Canada.
Brian & Corin Mullins: Holy Crap
In November 2010, Brian and Corin Mullins came into Dragons' Den asking for $120,000 for 10% of their gluten- and lactose-free breakfast cereal business. Corin originally developed the mix for Brian, who suffers from food intolerances, before they started selling the product at farmers' markets and online to great success. The Dragons loved it too, with Jim Treliving declaring: "I love it. I want to buy it." But the deal fell through when the couple refused to leave their Sechelt home base.
Brian & Corin Mullins: Holy Crap
But that wasn't the end of their story. After the episode aired sales surged, and the couple's online orders grew from 100 units a month to 2,000. They have since launched new products, and Holy Crap was turning over $20 million by 2014. Brian has sadly passed away, but Corin remains the sole owner, running the company and winning an Ernst & Young Women Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2013.
Chris Emery & Larry Finnson: OMG's
The founders of popular candy line Clodhoppers, Chris Emery and Larry Finnson created a start-up called OMG's in 2012 producing yummy chocolate and nut-laden graham cracker treats. In need of cash and publicity, the pair appeared on the Dragons' Den show that same year. Dragon Arlene Dickinson decided to bite and invested $250,000 in exchange for 50% of the business.
Chris Emery & Larry Finnson: OMG's
Edging towards household name status in Canada, OMG's are now stocked in thousands of stores throughout the nation. The company now turns over millions of dollars a year.
Hatem & Tonia Jahshan: Steeped Tea
Couple Hatem and Tonia Jahshan asked for $250,000 for a 20% share of their tea company Steeped Tea. When they pitched their premium loose tea direct sales business to the Dragons back in 2012, they were struggling to turn a profit, but their Tupperware-style tea 'parteas' were catching on fast in their home town of Cambridge, Ontario. Dragons Jim Treliving and David Chilton each offered $125,000 for 10% of the enterprise.
Hatem & Tonia Jahshan: Steeped Tea
After the show aired, sales skyrocketed. Fast-forward to 2018 and Steeped Tea is the leading direct seller of loose tea in North America. The company boasts 9,000 consultants in Canada and the US, and turns over a cool $20 million a year.
Patricia & Nadia Macri: Shoelery by Erica Giuliani
Sisters Patricia and Nadia Macri set up their footwear accessory brand Shoelery by Erica Giuliani in 2008. Their shoe jewels had been successful, but they came to the den looking for investment to take it to the next level. Though they fumbled their pitch, messing up on the figures, the Dragons were keen on the idea and Arlene Dickinson ended up offering $60,000 for a 33% stake in the business.
Patricia & Nadia Macri: Shoelery by Erica Giuliani
Since the sisters appeared on the show, Shoelery by Erica Giuliani has gone from strength to strength. The company, which now turns over millions of dollars annually, has secured deals with scores of retailers worldwide and has expanded the range to include boot belts and fur covers.
Claudia Harvey & Wendy Johannson: Dig It Apparel
Friends Claudia Harvey and Wendy Johannson created their Dig It Handwear gardening glove to protect manicured hands, via a special nail pad, in 2008. Notoriously picky Dragon Kevin O'Leary saw the potential in the ladies' innovation, and stumped up $50,000 in exchange for 10% of the company, along with 3% royalties, which he eventually dropped.
Claudia Harvey & Wendy Johannson: Dig It Apparel
The business really took off, and now the patented gloves, along with other products such as eyewear and beauty items, are available in a number of retailers in Canada, including Home Depot and Lowe's.
Tarren Wolfe, Myles Omand & Davin MacGregor: Urban Cultivator
Green-fingered trio Tarren Wolfe, Myles Omand and Davin MacGregor designed the Urban Cultivator for those wanting to grow food and herbs but lacking any outside space. In January 2012 they entered the Dragons' Den where Arlene Dickinson offered $400,000 for a 20% share.
Tarren Wolfe, Myles Omand & Davin MacGregor: Urban Cultivator
Thanks to Dickinson's cash and expert advice, the threesome's hydroponics business is flourishing. The firm, which employs 24 staff full-time, has expanded in a big way and its products are now sold all over North America, Europe and Australia.
Matt Schnarr, Adam Deremo & Dan Tzotzis: AWAKE Chocolate
Toronto-based trio Matt Schnarr, Adam Deremo and Dan Tzotzis took their caffeine-loaded "Kit Kat meets Red Bull" chocolate to the Dragons in 2013, closing a deal following due diligence with David Chilton, who invested $200,000 for 20% equity.
Matt Schnarr, Adam Deremo & Dan Tzotzis: AWAKE Chocolate
The turbo-charged chocolate bars, each of which contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, began to fly off the shelves once the show had aired, and within a year business was booming. AWAKE Chocolate now turns over an impressive $8 million a year, compared to just $500,000 in 2012. The candy bars are stocked in over 20,000 locations in Canada and the US.
Naor Cohen: Kelp Caviar
In 2013, Naor Cohen asked the Dragons for funding and expert guidance for his fledgling vegan seaweed caviar business. Cohen eventually walked away with a $100,000 investment deal courtesy of David Chilton.
Naor Cohen: Kelp Caviar
By 2014, the firm was turning over $2 million annually. Cohen has since branched out into producing ultra-premium sturgeon caviar and has even managed to buy out Chilton. Now Canada's number one supplier of kelp and sturgeon caviar, Kelp Caviar is available in 19 countries worldwide and the multimillion-dollar company's sturgeon egg range is sold in Canada, the US, Europe, South Africa and the UAE.
Claudette Leduc: Dr. Mist
Claudette Leduc came to the den in 2012 with her all-natural deodorant, Dr. Mist. Based on Dead Sea minerals and salt, the deodorant promises to keep users fresh and odour-free for up to three days, and attracted the attention of Dragon Brett Wilson, who gave Leduc $100,000 for a 5% royalty on sales.
Claudette Leduc: Dr. Mist
Since the show aired, Dr. Mist has become Canada's number one natural deodorant, on sale at Amazon, Costco and Superstore, and has even made forays into the US market.
Diana Olsen: Balzac's Coffee Roasters
Inspired by her time living in Paris, Diana Olsen wanted to bring French coffee culture to Canada with her gourmet coffee chain, Balzac's, named after the French author who loved coffee so much. Two Dragons fancied a taste of this particular cup of joe, and Arlene Dickinson and Bruce Croxon offered $180,000 each for 15%.
Diana Olsen: Balzac's Coffee Roasters
Since Olsen opened her first shop in 1996, the chain has gone from strength to strength. With the Dragons' investment, it has now expanded to eight stores across Canada.
John & Leah Garrad-Cole: Love Child Organics
In November 2013, during season eight, John and Leah Garrad-Cole snagged the biggest deal in the history of Dragons' Den Canada when they secured an eye-watering investment of $750,000 for their organic baby and toddler food business. Dragons David Chilton and Arlene Dickinson were convinced and jointly offered the money.
John & Leah Garrad-Cole: Love Child Organics
Love Child Organics has since clinched deals with major Canadian and US retailers, including Walmart, Whole Foods and Shopper's Drug Mart, and the company has expanded its range to include organic snacks.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature