An innovative local business will soon state its funding case on national television to the prime time investors on The Dragon's Den.
The panel of Canadian business magnates on the popular CBC-TV program has already heard two pitches from Prince George entrepreneurs this season: a China-based luxury limo service conceived of by Craig Polley; and a religious curio in the likeness of the Virgin Mary contained within lobsters, conceived by Monique Mazerolle and Jacques Pelltier. Both were decisively rejected both.
On March 5, viewers will find out if the panel will show K9 Kelp to the door as well, or if they will get behind company proprietor Patricia Carr.
It was filmed last April, however, which meant Carr can't say how she did.
She was able to discuss how the process sharpened her business pitch and honed her appreciation for the entrepreneurs who base their careers on attracting investors.
"The lights are bright, you know their eyes are on you, the cameras are on you and right up at you, so it was almost like an out-of-body experience," she said. "It was very surreal, anticipating the shadow walk and stepping out in front of these people you see on TV all the time. But I was so excited. I am so proud and sure of our product, I was not nervous. The production team was great to work with, and I had some of the cameramen chasing me down afterwards to buy lip balm off me. It was a great experience."
The lip balm is a human variation of the kelp products Carr makes for pets. She has a line of kelp products, from nutritional supplements to doggy shampoo to deodorizing spritzes and has started leaning into human-focused items as well. All are made in Prince George from her own recipes, using northern B.C. coastal kelp.
"It's something you're more passionate about than just coming up with a business idea for the sake of making money," she said. "When it's also your pet's well-being it adds even more of that passion. For us it has always been about the highest quality and most beneficial products for our pets. And what also feeds into it is the stories we get from people who come to you with stories about what your kelp has done for their pets' arthritis or whatever, and reinforces that you're doing something right."
Carr admitted she felt reticent about even attempting the Dragon's Den process, not because she was nervous about making the pitch but because she was nervous the dragons might actually say yes. If they offer an amount of money to fund your business dream, they also get an ownership stake in the company. She didn't love the idea of giving up even a fraction of the venture.
"Investment money is helpful and appreciated, but I have always been pretty certain that K9 Kelp was going to be a success, so do I need a deal from these dragons? I really debated that before I agreed to the audition process," she said. "I decided to go for it because at the very least it would be good exposure. People haven't even seen my episode yet but we've already grown organically through other methods in the past year - word of mouth, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, car-wrap - and its almost made what I'd call a kelp community."
Her main product line is for sale at Save-On-Foods, Bosley's Pet Products, Ospika Pet and Farm Supplies, Bone and Biscuit, Ave Maria and Homesteader Health. Her lip balm for people is available at Save-On-Foods, Ave Maria, Homework, and Spruceland News, which also has a kelp facial mask for people.
She has dispatched online orders throughout B.C., and to Japan, Australia, New Zealand and she has gotten the attention of a holistic veterinarian network in the United Kingdom.
Due to the level of regulations involved, Carr said she has no intention of branching into edible human or even pet products. Her family-run business model is suited to the topical kelp products market and is creating new commerce for the Prince George economy.
