Trish Daswaney entered the Den in 2018 seeking £60,000 for a 20 percent equity stake in her business. She is the founder and director of Kohl Kreatives, a social enterprise that believes in empowering people through the power of makeup.
They make a range of makeup brushes that are easy to use and made of recycled plastic.
The products are targeted at people with motor disabilities, and the brand also holds workshops for the transgender community to help them become confident with applying makeup.
As Trish was bullied for her appearance growing up, she could sympathise with others who are struggling.
Her mother taught her how to use makeup and made her the type of person she is today. She wanted to be able to give that back to others.
Peter Jones thought it was very “admirable”.
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The gross profit was expected to be £100,000 and the business would make around £65,000.
Deborah Meaden was interested about the target market for the brushes. She wanted to know how big the market was for those with motor disabilities.
Trish explained that 45 percent of beauty consumers feel as if they have some sort of difficulty grabbing objects.
“I am absolutely flabbergasted by that,” Deborah said.
However when asked about the size of beauty market in the UK, Trish was getting the numbers wrong.
Sara Davies thought that Trish was a great sales person.
She said: “You’re clearly very tenacious and a great sales person, it’s fantastic.
“But you have got me in a ‘tiz’. I don’t know if I’m in York or Cork.
“I would be terrified to be in business with you. I think I would just be winging it and hoping for the best which is such a shame because I would have loved to get behind you.
“But from what I’ve seen, I can’t do it so I’m out.”
Trisha explained to the Dragons’ that she has another job aside from the business so she does not need to pay herself salary from it. She runs a digital marketing consultancy.
If Trish got the investment needed, she would not leave her job. However Peter said he felt “slightly uncomfortable and nervous” to be investing into someone who is working an eight hour day elsewhere.
As it was a “big worry” for him, he did not invest.
