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A farm in Prince Edward County is hoping The Dragons go with their gut if they get a shot to make a deal on national television.
Thursday, the owners of Pyramid Ferments, Jenna Empey and Alex Currie pitched their sauerkraut, kimchi and brine products to the gate keepers of the CBC’s Dragons’ Den, producers Adam Avrashi and Carly Klassen. Their aim like dozens of other local entrepreneurs who tried out at Picton’s Books and Company, is to get a spot on the reality show and enter into a partnership with one or all five of the business industry gurus – Jim Treliving, Michael Wekerle, Michele Romanow, Joe Mimran, and Manjit Minhas.
The husband and wife duo from North Port are looking for $50,000 for 10% of their business to help with distribution, improving packaging and to build a national brand that features the already made slogan “go with your gut.” The pair pointed to how fermented foods offer many benefits for the digestive system and over all health, something the producers seemed keen to with Klassen pointing out how sauerkraut is ‘very sexy right now.’ Empey and Currie agree.
The business partners of five years explained how they have put $60,000 into their processing facility and now their product is available in 35 retail outlets making them a flagship around the province.
Seventeen-year-old Wyatt Brauer of Belleville also auditioned for the show pitching his product to be called the Coach’s Cuff that assists during a game.
The Centennial high school student explains the two in one coach’s tool that he saw a need for while he was attending hockey school in Toronto.
Brauer is asking for $15,000 to $20,000 for 40% of his business to help find a cheaper manufacturer along with added insight from the dragons.
Expertise is definitely what the Dragons will offer if any of the hopefuls make their way into a partnership says Klassen. She adds she’s impressed with the number of businesses who tried out and the diversity. Other ideas ranged from clothing and high end colouring books to solar blinds and a ladder for the back of a truck.
Avrashi agrees Picton really turned out.
Successful applicants who have what it takes will be called into the Den to shoot a show in April and May.
