The founders of bee-saving business, Beevive, which has grown from being a weekend hobby to supplying the likes of WWF, Kew Gardens and John Lewis, have bravely appeared on hit BBC TV show Dragons' Den.
Devon bee and nature enthusiasts Faye Whitley, 31, and her business and life partner Jacob Powell, 34, of Cranbrook, near Exeter, appeared on the new series of the show last night, February 6, in the hope of creating a buzz about their life-saving invention.
Following a chance encounter with a tired bee in 2018, Faye and Jacob struggled to find any flowers nearby to rest the bee upon. They took it to a nearby café and asked for a sugar water solution.
After watching the bee drink the solution and buzz away, the couple felt a great sense of pride and began researching and learning more about bees. Before long, they came up with the simple yet effective concept of the Bee Revival Kit.
Their product - a keyring - contains a small bottle of bee food syrup to give to a bee in need when there are no flowers nearby. The couple began by building bee revival kits to sell at local markets.
It has since flourished into a full-scale business based in Stoke Canon that now employs six people. Stockist include the RSPB, wildlife trusts and WWF.
Most recently, their award-winning DIY bee hotel kits have also been added to the product range. Their journey from a weekend venture to a nationally recognised brand raising awareness of the importance of bees was recently pitched to the Dragons - Peter Jones, Steven Bartlett, Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, and Touker Suleyman.
Recalling her experience on Dragons’ Den, Faye said: "It was a terrifying, yet amazing experience, and a great opportunity to spread awareness on the importance of bees and introduce people to our invention, the Bee Revival Kit. The whole experience is one I will certainly never forget."
Jacob added: “Being in the Den was an opportunity I’d never even dreamt of. The nerves we felt in the lead-up to our time in the Den was crippling, but as soon as we walked through the lift doors and began our pitch, the anticipation disappeared and the anxiety drifted away with it.
“This business is our baby. We’ve taken it from our kitchen table to the spare bedroom, and now we work out of a fully operational studio with a growing team. We’ve successfully turned our passion and love for bees into a business that has not only created job opportunities for others but also provides products with meaning that empower and encourage individuals of all ages to make a positive difference.
"We couldn’t be prouder.”
Although the show didn't deliver the outcome they had hoped, it was far from a failed attempt thanks to the help of one of the Dragons and the exposure the programme will bring to their product.
Jacob said: "The pitch went really well. Our products were very well received by the Dragons.
"After four dragons claimed they were out, we were left with Deborah Meaden who loved our cause, our products and us so much that she did make an offer.
"She did not offer us any money, but instead offered us her help, guidance and mentorship to achieve exactly what we were seeking. After we left the 'den' she requested to meet us immediately.
"We had a chat backstage and exchanged contact details. She has since provided us with her wealth of knowledge and tips over zoom calls and has been integral to our growth in the months following our pitch."
To view the episode of Dragons' Den, series 22, episode 5, via iPlayer, please click here.
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