Take Five
With entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden
Where did your love of horses come from?
I’ve no idea. None of my family were horsey but I loved them from very early on. I remember having a hobby horse made of cardboard, but the bug really caught hold when I was seven and started helping out with pony rides on Minehead seafront.
How many horses do you have now?
Between us, my sister Gail and I have 14 horses. Four of these are ridden — two of mine and two of Gail’s. They’re all rescued, mostly ex-racehorses, My two mares, Beau and Summer, were terribly mareish when I got them and, having only had geldings in the past, I struggled a bit. Now we’ve come to an understanding and all is OK. I get to ride at least four times a week.
Do you compete?
No, we just hack around the beautiful Somerset countryside. I like to lose myself on the hacks and let my head be full of things other than business.
Which horse-related product do you use the most?
Right now, it’s copious amounts of fly spray and sweat scrapers because I’m forever washing the horses off to cool them down. I try not to rug the retired horses as I like them to be as natural as possible, but I’ve had to give in and put fly rugs on at times, as they’re pestered.
Do you have a favourite equine event?
I do and it’s Horse of the Year Show. I think it’s because it was on TV when I was a child and I really looked forward to it. I’ve visited the show lots of times and it still gives me tingles — I only have to hear the music and I’m excited.
Which horse would you most like to own?
I’ve got the horses I’d most like to own. All mine found me — most were about to be destroyed and I’d get a call asking if I would have them. I couldn’t say no. There’s no horse in the world that’s as special as my lot. If I had Valegro I’d ruin him anyway — he’d be out in a field doing what he likes. I’d turn him feral.
How do you take your tea?
Loose tea, because T-bags contain plastic. Made in a glass teapot with a dash of oat milk as I’m trying to cut down on dairy. I drink out of a mug — a cup isn’t big enough.
What’s the most successful business you’ve supported through Dragon’s Den?
It depends how you measure success. If you’re talking about making money, then it would be Gripit Fixings. It was started by a 13-year-old, supported by his grandad. He came into the Den at 18, he’s now 21 and we’re in 32 countries, with 5,000 stores in the UK. But it’s not all about money. Good Bubble makes natural bath and hair products for children and is hugely successful. We had the chance to break into China, but this would have meant them being tested on animals, so we refused — I have to sleep at night. Excitingly, we’ve had reports from parents that the products help with eczema, so we’re entering clinical trials right now.
Flats or high heels?
Both. Flats at home and beautiful high-heeled shoes when I’m working or at an event. I straddle two worlds with this. I’ve still got my riding boots and breeches on now, even though it’s hours since I dismounted.
“I’ve got the horses I’d most like to own. There’s no horse in the world that’s as special as my lot”