They approached me from the original of Shark Tank in the U.K. called Dragons Den to promote my temporary hotel door lock, The EasyLock, then got upset when they found out I didn't need their money.
Here’s the full story:
I was really busy when they called.
I flew in at the weekend to audition for the show the following Monday.
No props. No preparation.
So I spent the weekend building a free-standing door frame and a door with a hotel lock in it, in the offices of my call centre. Got it to the studio just in time.
My script? Written in the taxi on the way there.
The audition was horrible. I just couldn't read off a script. It was shocking.
Then the producers found out I lived in Monaco and didn't need the money.
That upset them a bit.
Here's the thing:
I wasn't going for the money.
On Shark Tank, people ask for $2 million for 5%. That wasn't what I wanted.
I thought it would be great exposure. That's how I saw it.
But if you get slammed on TV, you're carrying that with you for the rest of your life. So maybe it was for the best.
Bad news still gets transmitted.
A lot of people go on Shark Tank for the marketing. I think the sharks are wise to it as well.
The Easylock became successful without them.