A County Durham entrepreneur who braved the Dragons’ Den has told how leaving empty handed has proved to be a positive outcome for his unique business.
Simon Bourne, 35, from Durham, was shown making his pitch for his business The Hand Dyed Shoe Co on the BBC Two show last night, when he had hoped to secure a £70,000 investment in return for a 10% equity stake.
He walked away empty-handed and - initally - heavy-hearted, but now says the Dragons’ feedback has fuelled him to build an even better business.
He said: “I’ve watched the show for years and always loved sitting with my wife, dissecting other people’s pitches and ideas. Even before I had conceived the business, I would always say that I would love to go on there and have a stab at it.
“When it came to it I was scared, anxious, nervous, excited, apprehensive, and worried - but just made a promise that I would remain true to myself which I did.
“Obviously the investment would have been a bonus but my business is about so much more than making money or even creating a brand. It is my platform to perform, my stage to inspire my children, my wife, my family and friends that you can do anything you want if you work for it - and I am proud to have taken the stage.
“The experience was truly positive and I’m so proud to have got that far and to have had that opportunity.”
The talented craftsman launched The Hand Dyed Shoe Co five years ago, channelling his love of working with leather.
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He had been working for a small furniture manufacturing business in Gateshead and would use offcuts left on the factory floor to make small bags, wallets and belts.
The Hand Dyed Shoe Co was created when he took his talents to the next level. Inspired by famous French shoe and boot maker Berluti, he started crafting shoes using pigment-based dyes which are of a a quality he believes is comparable to the Parisian manufacturer.
He now works out of a 200-year-old workshop on the Ushaw Estate on the outskirts of Durham, providing a luxury retail experience for customers by making shoes which retail for between £270 and £500, and he turns over in excess of £250,000 a year.
Since his appearance on Dragons’ Den, he said he had taken on board some of the comments he received to make changes.
One of the Dragons’ main concerns was that Mr Bourne had created a very artisan, British craftsmanship focused brand based around him – but he had a supply chain in Europe fulfilling elements of the process.
Now, after months of negotiations, he has brought all manufacturing back into the 海角视频.
Mr Bourne said he felt the best connection with fellow North East entrepreneur Sara Davies, of Crafter’s Companion, but that all the Dragons gave sage words of advice that he has followed.
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He said: “I found Peter exactly as I find him on TV, polite, respectful and professional - a pleasure to talk to. Deborah was tough. That said, I took a lot from her approach and admired her directness.
“Tukur was stern and then Tej I found very kind and understanding of the business and the model I’d created.”
Mr Bourne revealed that, soon into his business journey in Christmas 2016, he had a breakdown, worried at the financial burden he had placed on his family. Continuous setbacks took its toll as he feared losing their house, his wife and daughter.
Thankfully, opportunities arose to enable him to follow his dream and he is now pushing the business forward with its new Made in Britain brand.
He added: “The Hand Dyed Shoe Co concept is current, it’s modern and it’s changing the way people buy shoes.
“I am seriously proud of our growth and am so excited for what more we can achieve this year, especially now as a ‘Made in Britain’ business.”