DRAGONS’ Den has appointed crafting guru Sara Davies – and at 35, she’s the show’s youngest ever Dragon.
Sara – the founder of crafting company Crafter’s Companion – is replacing Jenny Campbell on the hit show when it returns for its 17th series this summer.
The entrepreneur started her retail business – which specialises in craft tools and has an annual turnover of £34 million a year – when she was 21.
Sara said: “I’m absolutely delighted to join the other Dragons for the new series of the show.
“I’ve always been very passionate about investing time in and sharing my expertise with other entrepreneurs and hopefully I’ll be able to help some of the contestants to really take their businesses to the next level.
“I’ve been a fan of the show since it started, I was even invited to pitch on the show 13 years ago so it feels like I’ve come a full circle.
BBC
“It wasn’t all that long ago when I was in the position of the contestants so I really feel like I will be able to relate to their stories and their journeys so far.
“I understand the highs and lows of building a global business from the ground and taking that initial product idea all the way to market.
“I’m looking forward to getting started and hopefully being introduced to some businesses that I can really get excited about.”
Sara – who has a son, Olivier, with her husband Simon – came up with the idea for her business while working for a small company supplying products to the craft industry as part of her business degree.
BBC
She said: “All the other students were going to flash firms in London, but I’m a real homebody and was determined to stay in the North-East.
“I was dating Simon — we had met at 15 and didn’t want to be apart for a year.
“My tutors were furious when I chose this small company with eight employees, but it was my smartest move because I got involved in every aspect of the business. The experience was invaluable.
“I’ve always been creative — I baked, knitted and crocheted with my mum and grandma.
BBC
“But I never made cards and I had no idea the market was so massive.”
In 2016, Sara was recognised for services to the economy with an MBE on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
She has also appeared on a number of shopping channels in the UK and USA
She will join Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Tej Lalvani and Touker Suleyman as eager entrepreneurs try their luck at convincing the multi-millionaires to invest in their business ideas.
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