It all started with a simple ad for a networking event. The producers of Dragons' Den were coming to town, offering local entrepreneurs a chance to connect and learn more about the show. I thought it would be interesting to attend, not necessarily to pitch, but to find out what it takes to get on the show someday. A major pipe dream, or so I thought.
When I checked in, the staff asked if I was pitching. I explained I was just there to learn and might be interested in the next opportunity. They quickly informed me, “This is it for the season. You should just go ahead and pitch!” Not one to back down from a challenge, I said yes.
I spent the next five hours prepping and memorizing my pitch. Pitch coaches roamed the venue, offering tips and guidance. Simon and Tosh, two of Humble Creek Homes’ co-founders, showed up for moral support, which helped calm my nerves. When our name was called, it was game time. Tosh and I decided to do the pitch together - we stepped into the room to present to the producers, and to my surprise, they loved the idea. While they can’t confirm on the spot if you’ve been selected, I left with a strong hunch that we’d get the call. Sure enough, three weeks later, it came: we were in. Four weeks after that, I was standing on stage.
Humble Creek Homes has four co-founders: myself, Simon, Pat, and Tosh. However, the producers advised us to simplify the presentation with fewer people. After testing out a two-person approach, we realized the flow felt choppy. So, we made the tough call: I’d go it alone. I was the least qualified of us to talk about tiny homes, but my communication skills and, let’s be honest, a bit of charm ;) made me the best fit for the pitch. I dove into studying, rewriting my pitch, memorizing the numbers, and anticipating every possible question. I watched nearly every episode of Dragons’ Den to understand the types of questions and challenges the Dragons might throw at me.
Finally, the big day arrived. I showed up for the morning call, hopeful that I’d be one of the first to pitch, catching the Dragons fresh and caffeinated. Luck wasn’t on my side—I pulled the last slot of the morning. The wait was excruciating. We were given curtained-off areas to prepare, but relaxation was impossible. Other entrepreneurs were there, but we were strictly prohibited from discussing what happens in the Den. It felt like military training: high stress, no control over your surroundings, and constant observation by the ever-watchful production staff.
When my time finally came, I was mic’d up and led to a staging area just outside the door to the Den. My stomach churned as if I were about to jump out of a plane or ride the scariest roller coaster. The producer instructed me to walk onto the stage, hit my mark on the floor in front of the Dragons, and... pause. Without saying a word, I’d then turn around and walk back out—they needed extra shots for the camera.
As I walked out, I remembered a story Kevin O’Leary had shared at a conference I attended. He said he can often decide within 60 seconds if he’ll invest in an entrepreneur, based on how they carry themselves during that initial silence. Determined to make the best impression, I looked each Dragon in the eye, one after another, with a confident nod of acknowledgment and respect.
What happened next? You’ll have to stay tuned for Part 3 and the show’s airing to find out! Let’s just say, standing in front of the Dragons to pitch tiny homes was an experience I’ll never forget. Follow us on Instagram @humblecreekhomes to keep up with our latest updates and see how tiny homes are reshaping lives and communities. If you’re curious about how a tiny home could fit into your life, reach out, we’d love to chat!
Victoria Cluney
VP Business Development
Humble Creek Homes
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