Dragons' Den Businesswoman Reveals Unexpected Dragon Connection
In an exclusive interview, Dragons' Den entrepreneur Danielle Close has shared fascinating behind-the-scenes insights from her experience on the popular BBC series, revealing which of the formidable investors surprised her the most during the intense pitch process.
The Dragon Who Defied Expectations
Danielle Close, founder of the sustainable skincare brand My Skin Feels, appeared on a recent episode of Dragons' Den seeking investment to expand her award-winning business. While she successfully secured a joint £50,000 investment from Dragons Deborah Meaden and Gary Neville in exchange for 20 percent equity during filming, it was another Dragon who left the most lasting impression.
"The person that surprised me the most was Touker," Danielle revealed. "Because me and him have very different business values. He's an amazing businessman but he's very much like a hard, fast, make it in China, that kind of business. Mine is a slow, sustainable growth vibe, so I just didn't think we would actually mesh, but I actually really liked him."
She continued: "I liked them all, they were all great, but I thought that I wasn't going to align with him at all and actually I think he really understood the brand. It just wasn't for him in that way, you'll see on the show. But that was quite a surprise for me."
Behind the Scenes of the Iconic Lift
Danielle also provided a glimpse into the reality of filming the show, admitting that the most terrifying moment wasn't facing the Dragons themselves, but rather the anticipation before entering the Den.
"It's a set and I didn't really think about it," she explained about the famous lift entrance. "But it's literally like a TV studio, so the lift is a studio. So I was like... of course it is, it's a TV show, but you don't really think that until you're in there. I honestly was really excited, I actually really loved it."
"It was so scary, the scariest part for me was waiting for the lift to open," Danielle confessed. "Because what you don't see is behind the wall, not the lift, they basically just say just wait for the lift to count down and then walk. But they can't give you a timeline because all the Dragons are talking, and so you are kind of just waiting like, 'When's it going to happen?' Then suddenly it's like three, two, one, boom! And you're like...then you have to walk. So that was actually the scariest bit for me, just like waiting and knowing the pitch was coming."
Investment Developments After Filming
In a surprising twist, despite accepting offers from two Dragons during the show, Danielle ultimately secured investment from private sources after filming concluded. She explained the sequence of events that unfolded in the weeks following her Den appearance.
"I accepted from two Dragons, which was great, but what really weirdly happened was a private investor came in and swooped in with an offer," she said. "I didn't tell them I went on the Den but like five weeks after the show I hadn't heard anything from the Dragons and then a private investor came in with an amazing offer. Then another five angels came in with an amazing offer, so I went back to my two Dragons and said 'Look, this thing has happened, I want to be open and honest about it and I'd love you to come in on it'. 'But just so you know this is what has been happening in the time I haven't heard from you', and then they withdrew from me based on that."
Rather than being discouraged by this outcome, Danielle viewed it as validation of her brand's success. My Skin Feels has since been recognized on the prestigious StartUps 100 list for 2026, marking significant achievement for the sustainable beauty company.
Dragons' Den continues to air on BBC One on Thursday evenings at 8pm, featuring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to the panel of seasoned investors.
