January 30th 2025.
The latest episode of Dragons' Den caused quite a stir among viewers, particularly due to a controversial offer made by Touker Suleyman. The business mogul had put forth an offer for a haircare line from a young entrepreneur named Lucie Macleod, which left many viewers feeling outraged and uncomfortable.
Lucie, who is only 24 years old, had started her brand called Hair Syrup while she was a struggling university student trying to save money on haircare. Her business has since grown exponentially and is projected to make a whopping £6,500,000 by 2025. Naturally, the dragons were impressed by her success, especially since she had only officially started selling her products through TikTok in 2019.
However, as the dragons delved deeper into the business side of things, it became apparent that Lucie lacked the necessary skills and experience. This led to Deborah Meaden and guest dragon Trinny Woodall backing out of the deal. But Touker had a different approach. He proposed an unusual offer, where he would invest £190,000 for a 3% stake in the company, but with a catch - he wanted his investment back in just three months. In return, he would provide his mentorship and keep his stake in the company forever.
When asked why she was seeking investment, Lucie had explained that she wanted someone to guide her and help her avoid making any costly mistakes. She had already become a multimillionaire thanks to her business, but all she wanted or needed was mentorship. Touker's offer caught the attention of the other dragons, who advised Lucie to carefully consider the terms.
Steven Bartlett, one of the dragons, expressed disbelief when Lucie initially agreed to the mentorship terms. Deborah then clarified that she would essentially be giving away her shares for free, and she needed to fully understand the implications of this decision. Despite the concerns raised by the other dragons, an overwhelmed Lucie accepted the deal after taking some time to think.
However, it soon became clear that she may have made a hasty decision. The expressions of the other dragons and her own doubts made her question if she had made the right choice. Viewers also shared the same sentiment, with many criticizing Touker's offer as "shady" and "uncomfortable" to watch. Some even called it the "greediest offer" Touker had ever made.
On the show, Deborah asked Lucie if she understood that she was giving away 3% of her business for free. This only highlighted the fact that Lucie may not have fully comprehended the deal. Pressured by his co-stars, Touker eventually retracted the offer, stating that he didn't want Lucie to feel like he was trying to trick her in any way.
Despite the drama and tension, the deal did not go through, and Lucie walked away without any investment. Many viewers were relieved, with one user stating that Touker's offer was "very shady" and another expressing sympathy for Lucie. When she left the den, Touker defended himself, stating that he was simply trying to find a solution to the issue of dividends and getting one's money out. Peter Jones praised him for doing the honorable thing in the end.
Overall, the Dragons' Den viewers were left shocked and outraged by Touker's offer, with some even calling it a "con" since it seemed like Lucie didn't fully understand what she was giving away. In the end, it was a lesson for both the entrepreneur and the viewers about the importance of carefully considering all aspects of a deal before making a decision. The episode ended on a positive note, with the dragons and viewers eagerly waiting to see what other interesting business ventures will come their way.
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