Jim Treliving is Dragons’ Den‘s last standing original dragon. Going into its 11th season, Treliving was excited for viewers to see the new pitches, and was planning a viewing party of his own out in BC. Here’s what he had to say about the new season of Dragons’ Den, and the friendly competition between his series and its US counterpart Shark Tank (which features former dragons Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec).
CraveOnline: Tell us about Season 11. We’re really excited about it!
Jim Treliving: We have a bunch of exciting stuff, with a lot of new pitches. This season we have a lot of technology pitches, such as apps. It’s real fun stuff. It airs Wednesday nights at 8pm.
Do you still watch the first episode (which kicked off last night) and make a ‘do about it?
Yes, I’m having a big party with about 200 people here in Vancouver, and there’s a group watching in Toronto.
Are there any deals you made over the years that have been particularly successful?
There are two or three that stand out. There was Easy Daysies, which was pitched by a young lady raising two kids. They’re magnets with sayings for the fridge, and I signed onto this deal with Kevin. That was over five years ago, and now they’re being sold across Canada.
Then there was Steeped Tea by a couple from Hamilton, and they’ve done a great job. They went from sales of $700,ooo-800,000 to $25 million.
And then there were smaller ones that surprised me, like Ugly Christmas Sweater Canada, where the return has been unbelievable.
Do you feel as though Dragons’ Den spearheaded this wave of reality shows based around business and entrepreneurship?
Absolutely. We created something 11 years ago that no one thought would go on and it just keeps growing.
There must be some friendly competition between Shark Tank and Dragons’ Den, given you were the first? Sharks versus dragons?
(Laughs) Absolutely! We tell them that we sent two guys down there to train the others since we’re going into our 11th season and they’re going into their fifth. But we have lots of fun with it.
Why do you think Dragons’ Den has been so popular with all different viewers?
Because it’s a real family show. I’m stopped on the street by 10- and 12-year-olds, and it’s amazing listening to them. They want to get into business because they’ve seen the show.
When I was back in Ottawa, my wife and I would have dinner with Stephen and Laureen Harper, and they would watch the show with their kids. She said to me, “That’s when we all get together.” Business is fun, and that’s what it’s all about.
