| Last night saw the first episode of the new 2010 | | | | frustrated with her and leapt to help Bowen make his |
| series. There were many different characters who | | | | point. This was quite hilarious because Deborah didn't |
| came to try and convince the Dragons to part with | | | | like this! |
| their riches and invest in them. Here is my Dragons | | | | I can't blame her because his delivery was poor. She |
| Den ideas review - summary and analysis: a catch up | | | | just got annoyed though and Duncan was smiling, |
| on the main points and my thoughts on what | | | | maybe sensing an opportunity here. Duncan then |
| happened for the second entrepreneur, Jeff Bowen. | | | | demonstrated that after using the Dragon's money to |
| Entrepreneur 2 - Jeff Bowen | | | | set up the venture, the money should get returned to |
| Former environmental consultant, Bowen, from Devon, | | | | them in year one and he also has a stake in the land. |
| showed off a line of Sparkling Rose (basically unofficial | | | | On that basis, he wanted in but wanted 40%. |
| champagne a.k.a. sparkling white wine). He said he had | | | | Maybe Deborah thought that was too good to be true, |
| an award winning organic vineyard and was looking | | | | it's not often that a business has such good margins |
| for a £60,000 investment for 20% of his "vineyard | | | | that the investment can be returned almost straight |
| experience business" (say again!), Pebblebed Partner | | | | away so I don't blame her. |
| Vineyards. | | | | Deborah then declared herself out because she didn't |
| He then proceeded to have a major meltdown for | | | | like the long time horizon on the business model. I |
| what seemed like at least a good minute! He was so | | | | noticed Duncan almost roll his eyes at this point. |
| nervous, I honestly didn't think he would make it! As | | | | Probably, he reckoned that Deborah still didn't |
| usual, the Dragons were not sympathetic! | | | | understand it and what she said might have been an |
| Luckily for him, he managed to get it back together | | | | excuse. If this was what he was thinking, I'd be inclined |
| again and did quite well. He wanted money to buy | | | | to agree! |
| more land for selling his £20 per bottle sparkling wine | | | | Peter wasn't convinced of a serious return and |
| and for promotions. He offered the Dragons a drink | | | | declared himself out. Theo said the model didn't attract |
| but James Caan quickly withdrew because he doesn't | | | | him either. My personal opinion is that the Dragons |
| invest in this type of venture on religious grounds | | | | weren't comfortable with what they had heard so |
| (alcohol related products). | | | | didn't want to risk going with this venture. They should |
| The venture is basically this: for £9,500 the customer | | | | have at least been honest because, frankly, you could |
| gets 60 bottles per year for 10 years. You also get | | | | see right through them! |
| 250 vines (quarter of an acre worth) that you can | | | | So that was that and the deal was for 40% with |
| tend to and you get to consume it with food on | | | | Duncan for the £60,000. |
| location in the cellar, inviting friends along etc. Hence, | | | | My Verdict |
| the "experience". | | | | I think it was an investment that made good financial |
| Duncan grilled him and discovered that the product is | | | | sense but I find it hard to believe that the return can be |
| made the same way as champagne and that the | | | | made. The problem with this type of business is that it |
| scheme starts to make money straight away, even at | | | | is like a membership site or club. You need to get |
| plantation time. Bowen held himself up during this | | | | enough people to commit and to commit their money |
| exchange. | | | | before they go ahead. Mind you, knowing the Dragons, |
| Deborah then wanted to know when she would get | | | | I'm sure Duncan will have this written into any contract |
| her money back. I think that she thought that all the | | | | or he won't invest a penny! |
| money in year one went on costs. Duncan grew | | | | |