Up Next
A Dragons’ Den entrepreneur talks about getting very emotional during her pitch, as she discussed her tragic family event.
Artist Charlotte Clemence started crying in front of Peter Jones and Steven Bartlett, as she talked about her daughter's death inspiring her to start her business.
She and her husband Grant hoped to win a £50,000 investment for 25% of their company, which sells UV and weatherproof outdoor art.
She said: ‘I began my career in HR, but gave it up when I had a family.
‘My perspective changed after having kids. We lost our twin daughter, so my life and outlook changed.
‘And I wanted to return to doing something I loved, which was art. And it was a real tonic for me.’
Fighting back tears, she continued: ‘So I started creating and selling my own art.’
Her pieces were praised as ‘fabulous’ by Sara Davies, while Touker Suleyman thanked her for sharing her story, adding: ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’
After hearing more about their business model, Peter said: ‘I want to express my deep admiration for you Charlotte, for creating something positive out of such a sad moment.
‘I think that says a lot about who you are. So I’m giving you massive hugs for that because I think that not many people can do that.’
However, he declined to make an offer to the couple, saying: ‘I genuinely would much prefer you to have more ownership of your business and not have me be part of that journey, and just hear about you later on in life.
‘For that reason, I’m going to say that I’m out. But big ups to you.’
Charlotte and Grant did, however, leave the Den with a joint partnership from Sara and Steven, saying: ‘We actually couldn’t ask for a better offer and we’d love to accept it.’
She then left the Den crying in the lift, and told cameras: ‘Having children and then you lose one, it’s tough. It’s about how we’ve moved on from that.
‘I want my daughters to be proud of what I’ve done and achieved.’
‘And they are, we all are,’ Grant added.
Looking back on their Dragons’ Den experience, Charlotte, whose twin daughter Fleur died a week after being born due to a rare heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome, recalled ‘crumbling’ during the pitch.
She said: ‘I said to my husband before, “I hope I can keep it together.” And you go in there quite strong. But the moment I started opening my mouth, I felt myself go you know, when you just crumble.’
‘I’ve suffered quite badly I think probably obviously grief and postnatal depression after giving birth to twins, but it was kind of my way out whatever you call it. But we have her sister who turned 13 last week, so, yeah. But you can see on the episode I do cry,’ she added to The Express.
You can watch Dragons’ Den on BBC iPlayer.
