Lancashire entrepreneur secures £50,000 Dragon's Den deal for Nelson-based skincare brand
A Lancashire entrepreneur has secured a £50,000 after pitching her specialist skincare brand on BBC's Dragons' Den.
Physiologist Rachel Williams came up Albus & Flora whilst taking a career break and living in the French Alps. During this time, Rachel said she saw dry, cracked, sunburnt lips and prematurely aged skin around the mouth, leading her to further recognise the importance of UV protection and skincare.
The entrepreneur established the Nelson-based, science-led brand in 2017 after stepping away from a successful academic and elite sport career. Albus & Flora is dedicated exclusively to the lips and the delicate skin surrounding the mouth, with products such as the ‘Lip Facial’ mask and the ‘Lip Shield SPF30’.
During her pitch, shown on last night’s (March 12) episode of Dragon’s Den, Rachel said her products were stocked in 370 aesthetic clinics, spas and beauty salons, as well as being available to buy from her website.
_(1).jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
Explaining the difference between a standard lip balm and her ‘Lip Shield’, she told Steven Bartlett: “It’s a broad spectrum UVA and UVB protector. It’s going to protect you against the damage that UV rays can do, because UV would come into the skin and it can impact on the cells’ physiology and function.
“Sometimes that UV damage is accumulated through your lifetime.”
Rachel asked the dragons for £50,000 for 15% equity in her business, landing an offer of £50,000 for 30% from Touker Suleyman.
Suleyman explained that he owns the trade mark 'Lipstick' and is about to launch a retail concept with it later in the year. He said lip care is “definitely a sector that could be included” in the launch and explained the value of Rachel’s knowledge.
Speaking after the investment, Rachel said: "It's incredibly exposing standing there on your own. Every number is challenged and every decision you've made over the years is put under a microscope. I've built Albus & Flora step by step, so it was intense, but I was ready for those questions.
"Securing an offer felt significant. This brand has been years in the making, shaped by my scientific background and professional experience. To walk away with an offer was a defining moment."