This time last year, WannaWafle owner Ranaat Marchand was among the throngs of dreamers auditioning in Victoria for the CBC show DragonsB次元官网网址� Den.
On Wednesday, dozens of inventors and entrepreneurs followed in his footsteps to audition in downtown Victoria for a chance to appear before the showB次元官网网址檚 five wealthy business tycoons.
Months after appearing on the show and making his deal, Marchand never received the money or a contract. In December, he finally walked away from Boston Pizza owner Jim TrelivingB次元官网网址檚 offer of $100,000 for 50 per cent ownership of the WannaWafle business.
B次元官网网址淭hings werenB次元官网网址檛 moving fast enough,B次元官网网址� said Marchand, owner of WannaWafle in Market Square.
He has moved on, capitalizing on publicity from the show and is preparing to franchise WannaWafle this spring.
B次元官网网址淭he hype would only last so long,B次元官网网址� said MarchandB次元官网网址檚 son Arnot, who also appeared on the show.
But the process of due diligence is lengthy for a reason, says DragonsB次元官网网址� Den producer Michelle MacMillan.
B次元官网网址淚t can take a long time and maybe thatB次元官网网址檚 surprising to some people, but (the Dragons have) got a lot to check out before they can hand over the money,B次元官网网址� said MacMillan, who will be conducting the Victoria auditions. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 such a big risk.B次元官网网址�
In a similar case, Jeff Widderich pitched his Soduko-like puzzle called Str8ts in a November episode. He received a $150,000 investment promise from three Dragons, in return for 10 per cent of royalties.
B次元官网网址淭he paperwork was astronomical,B次元官网网址� said Widderich who lives in Gordon Head. B次元官网网址淲e were never getting past first base. At one point it was getting ridiculous.B次元官网网址�
A few months ago he decided to accept two investment offers that came in after his television appearance.
However, both entrepreneurs say there is still a silver lining to the experience.
Widderich says heB次元官网网址檚 in regular e-mail contact with Dragon W. Brett Wilson. And MarchandB次元官网网址檚 appearance on DragonB次元官网网址檚 Den will be included in a commercial on Cineplex movie screens this March.
B次元官网网址淪ome people see a little rock on the street as a hurdle,B次元官网网址� said Marchand. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 incredibly happy.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
