Two Dragons from CBC Dragons’ Den are becoming Sharks on ABC. Find out who the two Sharks are.

I am sure the two DragonSharks will have lots of fun. I just hope the ABC series will do the Dragons’ Den format justice.

P.S. Call me snobbish if you like, I love the original BBC Antiques Roadshow but the US PBS version is just too cheesy for my taste.

Last week, I had had the pleasure of attending Brett Wilson’s yearly charity Garden Party. Each year, party guests are invited to make a donation to a featured charity. And this year over $100,000 was raised to fight blindness through 777 Run for Sight where Norma Bastidas is “running 7 ultramarathons [over 100 km each] in 7 continents in 7 months to raise funds for the blind and the visually impaired.” (see my earlier blog entry here)

It was very enjoyable listening to The Canadian Tenors performing at the party. And the highlight of the party for my better half and me had to be listening to the beautiful and accomplished Sarah McLachlan performing with the Tenors (singing Tenors’ Hallelujah) and then performing a few solos. Sarah’s performances were just beautiful and wonderful for us as it was our first live & really up close performance by Sarah!

Now, I first met Brett and Sarah at the 2009 Banff World TV Festival award ceremony where I also interviewed Brett.

So to me, Sarah & Brett seems to be more than just friends, but then only they really know!  :) :) In person, Brett & Sarah are just super nice and very friendly people. I think it is in part of our Canadian DNA to be nice and friendly. :)

P.S. The following are better quality videos [recorded elsewhere] of the songs we had the pleasure to listen to at the party that evening. Enjoy.

Check out these uncut post-season dragon interviews done by CBC. Over two hours of stuff to watch for the true Dragons’ Den fans.

P.S. Special thanks to CBC for posting these full & uncut interviews. You see, my point has always been that the work has been done, paid for, why not simply post the full interviews online somewhere for people who like to watch it? Like CBC posting this full interview of one of my hero, Louise Arbour.

I am saddened to read the news of the passing of Laurence Lewin.

My thoughts are with Laurence’s family and loved ones in this moment of sadness.

Goodbye Laurence, you are dearly missed by me and many fans of yours (as witness by many people searching for info about you).

Laurence, may you rest in peace.

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Nov 18, 2008 Update: I’ve found and included the following obituary published in the Montreal Gazette on 11/13/2008.

OBITUARY LAURENCE (LAURIE) LEWIN

Laurence (Laurie) Lewin, the President of La Senza Lingerie Corporation who championed a new era in Canadian lingerie retailing when he co-founded the iconic La Senza Lingerie brand in 1990, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Montreal. He was sixty-four years old. Mr. Lewin had been under treatment for lung cancer.

Throughout his 35 year career in retailing, he received numerous coveted awards including the distinguished “Canadian Retailer of the Year”. He often remarked with his trademark British humor that he’d become successful because of his enthusiasm for ladies’ knickers. His engaging “Monty Pythonesque” style was colored by a healthy dose of irreverence for established mores which he often openly challenged with great insight and wit, to the delight of those around him.

In 2006, Laurence Lewin also appeared on the highly acclaimed television show “Dragon’s Den” as one of its judges and was deemed by its producers as the “most eccentric of the Dragons”. Irv Teitelbaum, CEO & Chairman of La Senza Corporation, is quoted as saying: “Laurie was one of the most charismatic people I’ve ever known, inspiring everyone he knew to be the best they could ever be. His incredible sense of humor never ceased to entertain others.” Mr. Lewin’s astute intellect was matched only by his generous spirit. His commitment to the community and to those in need was deeply ingrained.

In 1995, he launched La Senza’s Charity Bear Program, which to this date donates proceeds from the sale of keepsake Holiday teddy bears to the Children’s Wish Foundation and to the Canadian Cancer Society. He also supported women’s shelters across Canada with donations of clothing. Another fundraising effort dear to his heart, was the Montreal Walk to End Breast Cancer for which Team La Senza was the largest registered participant group. His ongoing commitment to the Jewish community was also greatly appreciated.

Above all, Laurie loved life and loved people. At company BBQs and country fairs, he regaled children with rides on his vintage fire truck, enjoying himself as much as they did. His passion for sailing and motorcycling brought him great pleasure. He often pulled up to work on his Harley Davidson Road King, in full business attire.

Born and educated in the United Kingdom, Mr. Lewin began his career in the computer industry when he arrived in Montreal in the early 1970s and transitioned into the fashion world. The second child of Maurice and Beatrice Lewin, he worked weekends in his mother’s post wartime shoe shop where he quickly mastered the shopkeeper’s motto “Treat each customer like a valued guest in your own home”. A doting father, grandfather and stepfather, Mr. Lewin loved his family dearly and never missed an opportunity to shower them with affection. Over the years, his close friends from Montreal, St Albans (Vermont) and the United Kingdom became his extended Canadian family as he built lifelong bonds with them. Laurence Lewin, husband, father, friend and mentor to many, deeply touched us all, and his spirit lives on in our hearts.

Published in the Montreal Gazette on 11/13/2008

Sorry in the delays in posting my reviews of the last two episodes (s3-e5 and s3-e6) as I have been spending lots of time on my little red brick house. (big smile)

Some people have tried to get in touch with the Dragons by leaving comments in this blog. Well, you can now contact the Dragons directly as their bio & contact info are publicly listed so I don’t feel bad reposting them here. Good luck.

* Arlene Dickinson
email: arlened@openminds.ca
web: http://www.openminds.ca

* Brett Wilson
email: wbrettwilson@firstenergy.com

* Jim Treliving
email: jim.treliving@bostonpizza.com
web: http://www.bostonpizza.com

* Kevin O’Leary
email: info@olearyfunds.com

Note: Robert Herjavec’s contact info is not publicly listed in the above link thus it is not included here.

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Moxie Trades – Entrepreneur Marissa McTansey from Oakville, ON is the owner/operator of Moxie Trades which creates workwear for women.

Asking for 600K for 49%. Pink and light blue female sizes and styles work outfit. Sales 600K in last 2 years.

Jim encouraged the entrepreneur to reject a deal (600K for 75%) from Brett and Robert. No deal.

I don’t know about the apparel to comment but I suspect it is very competitive.

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Martini and Manicures – Martin Younan has set up shop in London, ON where his business serves martinis while providing manicure and pedicure services.

Million dollar business. If I could drink that martini, may be I will feel better, but otherwise another “entertainment” segment. Sorry, waste of time to look at as a business.

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Hardbite – Sepp Amsier from Maple Ridge, BC wants to sell his trans-fat and glueten free potato chips to a larger market.

Sepp is a Swiss trained chef. Tasty chips. In store for 5 years. Sales of 125K last year? Whole food, Organic Planet.

350K for 20%

Jim (and Robert?) made a deal for 350K for 50% Want a say in US market. And need key decisions making power.

How much is a bag of these chips?

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Pristine Cart – Sergeo Hristovski from Barrie, ON is the inventor of Pristine Cart which sanitizes dirty shopping carts as you push them through the device.

Not a business. Sad to see the entrepreneur wasted $120K of his money on the idea.

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Whale Tail – Myrna Brayford from Alliston, ON is the inventor of the Whale Tale, which holds books open for you while you read.

It is patented? Sorry, bad idea.

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Walk and Rol – Gerald & Magella LaPierre from Quebec City, QC invented the Walk n’ Roll which aids mobility for patients with foot and lower leg injuries.

Oh no …

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Jane Strap – Carol Clay from Nanaimo, BC has invented the Jane Strap which provides extra support for large breasts while you work out.

Yes. My special thanks to the CBC producers for showing us the breasts. (I won’t repeat my complain of wasting my time, ah, after all, other viewers may enjoy the breasts more than me complain about wasting my time.)

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Tidy Trailers – Rob Livingstone & Oliver Wolf from Vancouver, BC want to franchise their growing trash removal service.

Asking for 150K for 30%. This business compete on price alone.

Jim made a deal: 150K for 50%.

If the entrepreneurs are making $100K per person (i.e. $200K for the business) each year, why do they want to sell? I question their business acumen in making such a bad deal for themselves. I also doubt if this business is a good one to get into if their strength is just “lower price”.

Here is James Caan from UK Dragons’ Den on BBC Breakfast. Interesting interview.

Here is an interesting The Hour chat of Kevin O’Leary & Robert Herjavec with George.

By the way, here is the 2008 Nobel Prize in Economics winner Paul Krugman’s video Google Tech Talk on the subprime mess. And the Global Financial Crisis in the words of Nassim “Black Swan”Taleb (YouTube clip of his BBC discussion).

HT: DD Blog

(Cross posted at Kempton with possible additional readers’ comments)

The following are my brief reviews and comments based on sneak peek of Dragons’ Den Season 3 episode 3 pitches/ideas. The lead-in description sentences are from CBC.

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WARNING: SPOILER ALERT. If you haven’t checked out the sneak peek episode yet. Why don’t you subscribe and watch the episode first.

STOP NOW! Watch the sneak peek first!

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Eco Anti Freeze – These entrepreneurs from Delta, BC run a business that repurposes anti-freeze in Vancouver and they’re looking to expand.

This money making business looks good in the beginning but then their pitch and the knowledge of their business just failed to impress. A note on pitching, it is the entrepreneurs’ duty and responsibility to organize and present a well honed pitch that works for the occasion. If the investors are confused by your pitch, don’t expect them to just sit there and let you go on. They will and should interrupt. Why? If they don’t interrupt, that means you’ve lost them and lost their interest and their minds are starting to wander off and not focus on your pitch. So let them interrupt but be very prepared to have good answers.

Now, the fact that there is no patented technologies mean that this business’ competitive advantage is not durable. If someone sees money to be made, they will come in and have the ability to take over the market if they wish to. Of course, the business may still be a good small business making decent money. It is just not something for investors.

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Buster Rhino – Darryl & Beth Koster from Whitby, ON are pitching their award-winning authentic southern barbecue sauce.

$536K sales last year, pretty good but unfortunately they didn’t make any money last year after expenses. Now, the product tastes good, according to the Dragons but Jim, the most knowlegable food expert didn’t invest cause me concerns.

I like the fact that Darryl, by cold calling, managed to land the product on the shelf of Costco.

So 200K for 51% of the company allows Robert and Brett the control of the business direction of the company and how the money will be spent (wisely). So it may work out as an investment.

I have seen successful UK Drgaons’ Den entrepreneur having a successful sauce business. And the national exposure of Dragons’ Den (first runs now, and repeat broadcast later) should create some good word of mouth and generate some free marketing and publicity. How much it cost for a 6 minutes national TV non-ad? Well, probably more than $200K! So good luck to the entrepreneurs, Robert and Brett.

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Back Buddy – Cheryl, Crystal & Kelly McEwen are a mother/daughter team from DeWinton, Alberta have invented the Back Buddy — a handle that allows a person to put on lotion on their back.

Thanks to the DD producers, I get to look at the two beautiful daughters. A hobby business at best.

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Steemee Wonder – Jerry Coogan & Joane Daoust from Montreal, QC have created their own way of making steamed hot dogs.

Haven’t sold any units. Sorry, this is not really a business.

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Amphibicraft – David Murphy from Prescott, ON has invented the Amphibicraft — a multi-functional all-terrain vehicle.

Here is an advice to inventors: Your coolest inventions may not be of use to anyone. And your friends and relatives’ opinions don’t count because they are trying to be NICE !!!!

Better, buy and read the auto-biography by one of the best inventor and businessman alive – James Dyson. To all the inventors and aspiring inventors out there, it will do you well by learning a thing or two from James. He is good but it took him a long time and a lot of trials.

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Bubbie’s Best – Lorne Morein, Taneen Khan & Mark Rutledge from Toronto, ON want to sell their kosher baby food to a mass market.

Three recent business grad with an idea that is too small in the higher competitive food baby food business.

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Ski and Skate – Giovanna Giancaspro from Montreal, QC has invented a training harness to teach children to ski and skate.

The amount money that is asked of is just silly and unrealistic. This is one horrible pitch but one that entrepreneurs can and should learn a thing or two in the “What Not To Do” department. The Dragons were right in grilling her and questioning her.

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Quicksnap – David Reynolds from Halifax, NS has invented a snap for shoes which eliminates need for shoelaces.

Sold 15,000 units. Patented. Sold for $5 each. One entrepreneur put in $100,000 into the business.

$125K for 50%. Plus Brett will put an order (as a donation, I suppose) to buy one for each serving military members in Afghanistan.

Now, I have never made or sold anything to the military. But if the products are going to be officially used, don’t the clips (even small) have to pass some sort of DND testing process (e.g. temperature, chemical, durability, etc)?

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Saxx – Like that story. The prize money. And the national and internet exposures must have helped. So this, to me, is a good reason to pitch on Dragons’ Den for some entrepreneurs.

After sneak peeking two episodes of Dragons’ Den before it airs by simply subscribing to CBC’s Dragons’ Den newsletters, I am sold.

I think “subscribe to sneak peek” is a great way to draw Dragons’ Den fans’ attention and even love the show more to a dangerous level! I love these sneak peeks.

Now, I think CBC is also smart in opening up its shows (DD, Fifth Estate, The Hour, etc) this way to keep the shows’ fans informed and engaged. Keeping the audience and spreading to new audiences (friends of fans) when a particular show episode is really good and the links are forwarded.

If you live in Canada, subscribe to CBC’s Dragons’ Den newsletters and have a sneak peek of the next episode to be aired Monday.