Morning:
2°c
Window of opportunity for Dragons' Den blindmakers
Lavina Suthenthiran19 Mar 2009
THREE entrepreneurs who appeared on Dragons' Den have scooped a deal worth tens of thousands of pounds with Argos after the show's experts backed their business.
Simeone Salik, Janice Dalton and Dominic Lawrence reluctantly appeared on the BBC2 programme to attract investment in their design for temporary paper window blinds.
Their pitch proved so successful that two of the show's business tycoons, James Caan and Duncan Bannatyne, bought half the company, Blindsinabox, by investing £40,000.
Caan said: "The market focuses on value for money and Blindsinabox is a simple, straightforward solution that is cost effective."
Mrs Salik, 67, a former PR executive from Mill Hill, came up with the idea when she and Mrs Dalton, her designer at the time, were decorating and needed to cover the windows while they waited for her curtains to arrive.
They created the temporary blinds and spent a year developing the design, which involves peeling off adhesive strips to hang the blinds.
Mrs Dalton, 52, also from Mill Hill, said: "Our unique selling point was the fact that it's a simple product. All you have to do is peel off the strips from each side and stick it on to your window sills, securing it with pegs that we provide."
The duo needed a manufacturer so a mutual friend introduced them to Mr Lawrence, 38, an importer from Finchley, and he joined the company.
The BBC approached them to appear on Dragons' Den, which sees entrepreneurs pitching for financial backing. Mr Lawrence admitted they were not that interested in going on the show but thought it would be good advertisement for the product. He said: "It was extremely nerve-racking because the panel was very clever to pick on weak points but we held on and ended up leaving with two investors.
"We appeared for the money but also to see what expertise potential investors can give us. So when we got investments from James and Duncan - they advised us to approach household retailers and when we did things really started to accelerate for us."
Their appearance in the Den triggered a strong rise in orders and the trio have sealed a deal with Argos, which will stock tens of thousands of blinds in more than 800 of their stores.
The team said they were the first independent curtains and blinds business Argos has taken on. The blinds cost £45 for a box of six, including postage.
Reader views (6)
These blinds have been readily available here in the US, in DIY stores for a number of years at a price nowhere near 45 pounds for six.
- Christine C, hampstead, nh, usa, 19/03/2009 15:36
Report abuse
When I bought my first house, I smashed all the street facing windows before anyone else had a chance to get in first. The jagged glass detered anyone from climbing in!
- Stephen Bluestone, London, 19/03/2009 15:34
Report abuse
I use the black out blinds for my baby's room. Makes a huge difference, we actually get sleep now!
- Rachel, Clapham, 19/03/2009 14:42
Report abuse
I'm a student and I bought a pack after seeing them on DD. They've lasted us over 5 months now and are still working fine. No need for any permanant blinds that I would have to leave behind for the next renter! That makes good financial sense!
- Olivia, London, 19/03/2009 14:39
Report abuse
Nigel - you're more classy than me, I stuck newspaper on my front windows when I first moved in and was decorating!
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 19/03/2009 13:53
Report abuse
When I first bought my house, I used old towels, clothes-pegs and drawing pins until I could afford proper blinds and curtains. And half the country is drowning in debt. Hmmm....
- Nigel, London, 19/03/2009 13:10
Report abuse
