Not bitten by the dragons
Dragons Den
We’re not going to lie! Appearing on RTE’s Dragons’ Den, was the most traumatic and terrifying of experience of our lives. But that isn’t to say we wouldn’t do it all over again!
The truth is we came away with the fire in our bellies to prove the famous five wrong!!
Funding
We didn’t appear on Dragons’ Den with the primary goal of getting funding (although obviously no one in their right mind turns down €100,000 and the contacts book of a successful entrepreneur). GreenMe’s main reason to apply to Dragon’s Den in the first place was to get the GreenMe name out there.
The Pitch
Our pitch wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination but we were looking for the benefit of the Dragons’ experience and advice. And we certainly got that! Pure and simple, the rock we perished on was the equity we were looking for!
In our defence, having studied several successful pitches from the UK version, we expected, that in the event of any interest, the Dragons would double the equity offered and even then add some. It was through this infinite wisdom that we came up with the nice round figure of 10%!!!
Putting things straight!
The one thing that really offended us during the interview with the Dragons, was the question mark over our integrity. GreenMe’s whole ethos is built around trust and integrity. We see ourselves as the Trip Advisor of the Green World, and to that end we make sure that all companies listed on our site are towing the green line. Bobby Kerr seemed to think that we would accept anybody willing to pay their way on to our directory. Let me clarify very clearly, this is not the case, and never will be the case!
In the last few months we have worked diligently with Duncan Stewart to develop our Green Barometer – this will empower you to choose which producers, suppliers and companies are contributing to a better environment! You will see this facility going live over the coming weeks as each of our listed companies complete theirs.
The Real Message
Because the Den is so focused on the revenue model and the return for the investors, what GreenMe didn’t get to focus on is the real message for the end user. Contrary to what Gavin Duffy may think, people are making it clear that they want environmentally preferable products and services, and despite the downturn, there is an increase in spend in green products and the ethical spend. However there is a lack of information when it comes to choosing what is green and what isn’t. GreenMe helps you to make the right decision through good, honest, accurate and up to the minute information.
We believe that the fastest, easiest, most direct route to a clean and healthy environment is to shift our spending to environmentally safe, socially responsible products and services. GreenMe’s directory, our entertaining tips, news and blogs give you the information you need without having to hug a tree or become an eco maniac.
Don’t take our word for it. Our improved website has met with an enthusiastic response from businesses that are truly green and which want to use GreenMe to reach the growing number of people interested in a greener lfestyle.
"));
I think you girls are running yourselves down saying that your pitch was not perfect it was quite good i just dont think enough people are to well informed on eco friendly products.But good luck with your business for the future.
very impressive, and you may well succeed in converting a few people, and maybe even in making some connections with large clients.
I am studying Environmental Science and am very passionate about the environment and the challenge that faces us. Personally I found ye/you very genuine and I do believe that ye are in it, for a little more than the money. Really jusy wanted to say that I don’t like the Dragons, they are the corprate,greed type people that have got us into this mess in the first place and are really just cheap/expensive people. Wish ye all the best In life and never mind those dragons, there are plenty of them out there, just to keep us fighting.
congrats on a great idea . personally feel the dragons wanted to invest but didnt like the control that duncan had. He beat them to it and they did not like it.
look forward to getting updates on green tips.good luck
Congrats on both your excellent pitch.
The dragons lacked imagination as well as ‘green issues’.
They also have a sheep like mentallity ie Cannot see only tried and tested corporate advancement projects.
Keep up the good ideas – Green Gage Globle GGG
Best wishes
Geraldine
Well done girls. It was inspiring to see young, articulate entrepreneurs championing green industries and standing strong against the rising tide of greenwashing. More power to ya. I’m now happy to be a member of GreenMe and am loving your advice on how to go Green in a fun and non treehuggery way.
Congratulations on what was by far the best pitch I have seen so far on the Dragon’s Den. The Dragon’s seemed almost Draconian in their green views, and Gavin’s quip about beef farmers seemed petty and irrelevant. Sarah (bless) should not get so easily offended, though I am sure this was for dramatic effect. Kudos on not bowing to their bully-boy tactics, I think the publicity will be great for you. Best of luck , I’ll be keeping a keen eye on developments and pass on the word
Hi,
Your pitch was by far the best I have seen on the show and I was delighted to hear about a website where I can access ‘green’ information and ideas. I could’nt understand how the Dragons took you up wrong but I’m glad you got lots of exposure. You are both clearly intelligent and driven and I wish you the best of luck for the future!
I heard ye on Tubridy (aka dave fanning) this morning and I think you dealt those dragons some killer blows, overall a good idea for the normal average jo ar josephine who simply wants to plan for a greener tommorow. Keep the tips coming and stop slaggin’ off us tree huggers, i’ve been known to be partial to a good acorn-cuddle
congratulations!
keep up the success towards more “green” and best of luck
I think this site is for the everyday people and I was saying these very word when you guys said it! There were 4 guys in our house watching the DD and we all loved your business! Keep up the good work!
Just dropping in to say a big congratulations on the very impressive pitch. Also heard ye on the Tubridy show this morning. Keep up the good work. Those Dragons passed up on a great opportunity.
You may feel bruised by the dragon but it was their loss.
Well done to Jo and Gina – keep going with your great work
May your business be highly successful – your site is excellent.
Hope the dragons were listening to Tubridy this morning.
Regards
Nicky Martin
Hi
Just registered Burrenbeo on your website and just wanted to say I thought you were treated really badly on dragons programme…
Maybe they were just a bit annoyed that they didn’t come up the idea themselves (especially your one in the middle??. What?s her problem!!)
‘Green me’ is a great idea for an irish based business I wish you all well..
Best wishes
Ann O’Connor
Burrenbeo
Hi there,
Well done on the performance on the Dragons’ Den last night – thought the Dragons were particularly unfair on the Greenme team – if anything they weren’t dragons, they were bullies. Great publicity for Greenme, it was really well presented!
I really enjoyed watching you on DD last night. I honestly feel I can now start actively becoming greener as I now know where to find a one stop shop for all green information.
Just wanted to drop by and say that the site is fantastic. The Dragons may have passed up on a great opportunity but at least the site got a lot of publicity from it. Best of luck with it all!
Saw you both on the Dragons last night, heard Jo on Tubridy/Fanning this morning and thought you were great.
I have to agree with the previous comments – the Dragons didn’t seem to get.
Perhaps one of the reasons why they didn’t get is that they saw your venture purely in terms of short-term return on investment, rather than seeing Greenme as part of a new wave of businesses that have a different world outlook: businesses that are ethical, responsible, eco-friendly and consumer-friendly. Well done again, keep slaying the dragons, and onwards and upwards
Very impressive pitch on the den. The real reason why you didn’t get support from the ‘dragons’ was because their egos were hurt as they perceived that you had offered 20% to Duncan Stewart for ‘nothing’ and you were expecting them to pay up. The dragons failed to understand or accept that Duncan’s backing of the site is serious PR in the context of the Irish green sector. Best of luck to ye – ye seem to have a sound plan – big plus is the emphasis on low overheads.
i have to say I thought your pitch was by far the best on the show, both from a delivery and content perspective. Love that word traction Jo!
The problem was that the so called dragons had no idea of what or how anything should work in the environmental area. Loved the fact that you didn’t thank them for their rubbish advice like the others did!
And the show in general – how, naughty girls and school master with canes, is that effin show!?! Its designed to demean – you earned your publicity.
The so called dragons were the kinds of people who are integrally implicated in everything that went wrong with the world economy recently too.
You slayed the dragons’ lack of imagination with the integrity of your vision and intent, if I can be so grand. (Here’s hoping Ireland slay the dragons this w/end too!)
Vicki
Hello. I thought you were treated very badly by those so-called Dragons. They displayed an arrogance towards you which seemd almost personal. And they did not hear you out at all, I thought. The truth is that you are better off without any interference from those upstarts. Keep up the good work!
Congrats girls!
Just wanted to say I thought you both did great on Dragons Den and thought you were treated very harshly. Think like some other people have mentioned they were very interested until they heard about Duncan. They would have been upstaged.
Great interview this morning Jo – thought you handled yourself very well.
Best of luck with greenme.ie
Fionnuala
Hello,
Well done on TV last night. It is regrettable that some people involved in that panel feel like they have to criticize people/ideas to look important.
Another beautiful effort by RTE to copy a UK show… perhaps it’s part of the contract to create some conflict when the idea is not of interest…
At least you got the publicity… O’Leary would be proud.
Keep it real,
Keith.
Hi Gina,
Watched the show and thought you were hard done by. I thought your presentation was excellent and I think that’s what might have freaked out the Dragons; they are not used to dealing with a confident presentation. I also think they got spooked by the “equity that was given away free to Duncan”; I detected a note of “GREEN ENVY” that Duncan got 20% free and they were going to have to pay.
Hope all goes well for you.
Regards,
Hugh O Donnell
Hi Gina,
Yourself and Jo played a blinder the other night. I was surprised at the Dragons…. I thought entrepreneurs were supposed to have their fingers of the pulse of the zeitgeist!
Well done
Caithriona
Well done, great presentation.
I’m very surprised at Dragon’s negativity and shocking lack of understanding.
Greener living is the future for the whole world.
First visit to your site, Good luck!!
Brian & Susan Jennings
Your presentation was flawless i feel your mistake was in mentioing
Duncan Stewart getting that 20% while the Dragons were asked to contribute
100k for 10%. Dont be put off they are capitaists,the kind of people
who has this country on its knees.
Hi,
I watched both of you on the Dragons Den yesterday and then by chance I heard Gina being interviewed on Highland this morning. I just want to say that it is great to see 2 women like you with tons of get up and go as well as a good business idea.
Wishing you all the future success you deserve
Margaret Bailey
Thought you were great – you were the only product/idea I’ve ever looked up after watching that kind of show!
Jo,
Just caught you on Dragons Den…you go girl!
Well Done, site looks great and a really good idea.
Good to hear of your addition! – you have been busy!
Best of luck and continued success
hello girls,
heard ye before on irish farmers journal panel impressed then impressed now ye will show those dragons
Hello Gina & Jo,
Those stingy scroungers on the Dragon’s Den, gave you a hard time that you did not deserve, but your dignity and cool manner showed them up for what they are CRANKY BLOOD-SUCKERS!
Congratulations, your presentation was fantastic… Best I’ve seen yet! I can judge after a lifetime as a sales agent…
You will do well..
Kindest regards,
Tony Noctor
PS Your website is also excellent…
Hi Gina,
Meant to add my tuppence worth sooner than this but agree with all your ‘fans’. What did the dragon “experts” expect? You girls were patient and humble enough to put up with their condescending, cynical attitudes to seek their “self-claimed” wisdom and expertise but as we know, self-praise is no praise. They didn’t see your sincerity and integrity never mind the enormous potential of what you do, materially and environmentally.
Many people think about our environment and climate change crisis, more and more people talk about our environment and climate change crisis but you girls are actually DOING something about it, not just for yourselves but helping others to also. I wonder what the dragons have done to provide for and protect our future generations. Don’t be discouraged by the dragon “experts”.
Regarding someone claiming to be an “EXPERT”, too often the word expert simply means “Ex”= “has-been” and “Spurt” “a drip under pressure”
Keep on keeping on!
Regards,
Harry