Dragons’ Den pitcher rejects provide for £40,000 – now she’s on observe to make £5m

Despite turning down a proposal from BBC Dragons’ Den investor Tej Lalvani, one pitcher’s enterprise has gone from power to power and is on observe to generate over £5million within the subsequent two years.

Rachel Kettlewell entered the Den in 2020 and secured funding for her jam enterprise Fearne & Rosie.

Launched in 2019, the enterprise is on a mission to supply more healthy jam options to households throughout the UK.

Although leaving the Den with an investment provide, Ms Kettlewell determined towards a proposal of £40,000 for 35 % of the enterprise from Tej.

When explaining why she rejected the provide, she instructed Express: “Fearne & Rosie was so tiny then; it was right at the beginning.

“On reflection, it wasn’t the monetary investment that I needed at that point…What I needed at that time was time, mentorship and support to teach me how to run a business.”

Since her pitch, the more healthy jam enterprise has struck chords with each retailers and shoppers. It has grown +400 % up to now 12 months and is on observe to hit £5 million turnover by 2025.

Even although she parted methods with the Dragons, she nonetheless will get common messages and meets new clients who say they noticed, adopted, and purchased from Fearne & Rosie due to Dragons’ Den.

She added: “I’m always so grateful that we got to be a small part in such an incredible show.”

Upon reflection, she realised that £40,000 was not sufficient for her to develop the enterprise in the way in which she needed.

Although Dragons Deborah Meaden and Sara Davies couldn’t make investments, “they were so supportive” of Rachel’s product and helped her develop with their recommendation.

A few years later, the enterprise has simply secured £450,000 funding through various key buyers, together with TwinklHive, the funding arm of worldwide academic writer, Twinkl.

Ms Kettlewell goals to make use of the funding to broaden her retail distribution. Consumers nonetheless do their weekly buying in supermarkets, in order that’s the place the jams should be she stated.

She continued: “As a business, we’re committed to ‘spreading goodness’, and my ultimate aim is to build a targeted school support programme.

“I wholeheartedly believe education is key, and that’s why Fearne & Rosie is dedicated to providing resources for schools and wider families on how to make easier, healthier choices.

‌“That’s why the investment and support from TwinklHive is so exciting. We’re already making headway on this through our wonderful partnership with BBC Children in Need.”

Fearne & Rosie Strawberry Jam is without doubt one of the fastest-growing jam SKUs on Ocado, and the jams may also be present in Waitrose, with latest listings secured in Amazon, Booths and choose Morrisons shops.