More Dragons' Den stuff... a bit more indepth though!!

Hi there,

Due to a phenomenal number of questions about our appearance on Dragons Den, we thought we would share our thoughts with you about the experience and what has happened since!

So Christian decided it would be a good idea to try Dragons' Den in order to allow us to expand our "Tiny" company. Good idea....except he didn't tell me! The first I knew was when I got a call from the BBC asking me what we would do with the money.

We desperately needed funds though as we had grown so rapidly, we were having to finance more stock, and we had started off with one small office and had spread over the farm we worked on, to 3 premises. These still weren't big enough and we were literally sitting on boxes - you couldn't get through the office door.

So a few months later we arrived at the "dragon" location at about 6:30 in the morning, both of us so nervous we appeared hyper. we sat in the "green room" twitching and fidgeting, waiting to be summonsed, in the meantime helping ourselves to endless cups of tea and chocolate to calm our nerves ... great idea as we were both then even more hyper!

The BBC staff had done my hair beautifully first thing, but the "green room" was so hot and humid, my hair just got frizzier and bigger as the day went on. So by the time we got in front of the Dragons it looked outrageous - one massive frizzball.

So finally we were called to the "den". How terrified were we?! We walked up the stairs wondering if it was anything like the experience shown on t.v. It was. The 5 dragons sat there just looking at us, waiting for us to do our pitch. So we did, and we got well and truly slayed! Both of us thought we had completely blown it, as apparently I was on a crusade and Christian's addmission to rehab was met with less than sympathy to say the least.

After about 20 minutes of questioning, out hearts just sank as some of the Dragons were clearly unimpressed. Duncan Bannatyne in particular, who had for the previous 20 minutes been picking at the paper on the box sample he had, then announced that the paper was peeling off! Christian and I stood there in disbelief. Any paper product if picked at for that length of time would not withstand being torn. So we were ready to leave the den dejected.

Peter Jones (who is lovely by the way) had not said a thing up to this point, and suddenly threw us a life line, but only if Theo joined him. The BBC then ran out of film, so asked for a short break. Christian and I retreated to the back of the room and saw Theo shaking his head at Peter. Could our hearts sink much deeper? Christian and I felt even more dejected and then just waited for the film to be replaced and then for us to be expelled from the Den.
But Theo said Yes!

We came out of the den absolutely stunned. All the BBc crew were congratulating us, but it just wouldn't sink in that we had 2 dragons on board - and definitely our favourite ones.
So what happened next ?

We went to London to meet all of Theo's team and Peter's team to work out the way forward. They were all lovely (especially Peter!) and we are now working on moving to much bigger premises, expanding our stock range to include 100% recycled wrapping paper, pillow boxes, mailing boxes and bigger square gift boxes. We are also updating our printing facilities and on a recruitment drive for people who can actually cope with working in our "tiny" offices! We have a regular flow of communication between our office and Peter's and Theo's offices and it's great because if there is any business decision now that we are unsure of, then we can just pick up the phone.

So all very good news so far. We will keep you posted on what happens next!

One last note - Deborah Meaden is nothing like how she is painted out to be on Dragons Den. The programme is heavily edited and although she questioned us lots to check we knew what we were talking about, she was actually laughing with us and was very amicable.
Bye for now,

Rachel.

The Aftermath of Dragons Den

Hi, So sorry for a major update following our Dragons' DEn appearance anyway Dragons’ Den for us in one word; Whirlwind! And it still is in our Tiny Box Company office.

After securing investment from Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis it all started and I mean right when we were still on the TV! At 9:59pm (the show ends at 10pm) the phone was ringing with orders coming in.

Christian was on BBC 5 Live a few hours later and I am sure you have read/heard or saw one of us in some newspaper/radio and even TV shows in the week post our DD appearance !!! I have perfected my stuck up 'showbiz' air kiss; 'Dahlink!!'

Our website (www.tinyboxcompany.co.uk) took so many hits that we crashed our server, actually we not only crashed ours but also our hosts too!!
After securing more investment than we had asked for on the show we had initial meetings with Theo and Peter, they are lovely. We have taken on 4 members of staff and are currently in negotiations with a few very big high street names, fingers crossed they want to change to eco-friendly packaging and use us.

We are still searching for bigger premises as we are growing out of the three separate warehouses we have at the moment, as I write this I am literally pushing a pile of recycled bags off the keyboard!

Our philosophy remains the same even after our TV appearance; to only provide eco-friendly packaging and with no minimum order. The ‘no minimum order’ is important to us and really sets us apart from all other Packaging Companies. A lot of retail outlets still believe that ‘recycled’ is of inferior quality. It most definitely is not.

I was recognised in of all places my local post office by a girl who set me up on some kind of businessperson pedestal it was like I was some Rock God, so embarrassing! She told me that the clip, yes just our clip from Dragons’ Den, was being used by her University in her ‘How to be a Great Entrepreneur” course. I frantically tried to hide my embarrassment behind my post pile but the queue were having none of it, before long the entire queue were discussing recycling and even packaging!!

Amongst the influx of new orders and enquiries about our eco friendly packaging, transparent boxes and how many colours we do in our 100% recycled bags I am even answering business questions from people that don’t even want my boxes or bags. They just want business advice!

Anyway we here at the Tiny Box Company welcome your calls and enquiries about anything, so do get in touch for a chat. 01342 322333, we would prefer orders though!!

Peace Out,

Rachel Watkyn - Tiny Box Founder

Tonight (Monday) BBC2 9pm

Hello,

Yes!!!! We cannot contain our excitement (?!) any more. BBC2 on Dragons' Den Monday night me and Christian take to the 'stage'.

I feel quite embarrassed that Christian calls me 'Rainman' on national TV but the one million pound question; Do we succeed? Well, you'll have to wait and see...

So, I just want to say a big 'thank you' to all our lovely customers and friends... If you are around East Grinstead Monday night then we are having a party in the Rose and Crown pub where they will be showing the programme on their Big Screen. I am very embarrassed but I will be going down to say 'hi' to everybody, Christian is less so, he unfortunately is making the excuse that he has to get up at 4am on Tuesday morning and can't make it. Pussy!

So, the invite to you is out there, please do come down and join us. If you can't make sure you watch Dragons' Den at 9pm.

Me out,

Rachel Watkyn

Tiny Box Company and Tiny Difference Founder and 'Lord and Leader'!

Dragons' Den

Hello,

Thanks for all emails and phone calls from people saying, "There's a company that we saw a glimpse of last night selling boxes like yours...". Actually last nights Dragons' Den featured a 4 second promotion for me and Christian appearing on Dragons' Den on the 1st Sept 20-08 (that's this Monday!!) at 9pm.

I can't tell you if we got investment or not as the BBC has told us that we can't! Damn them!!

If you sawe the little snippet last night you would have seen Christian sticking up for me and giving Duncan Bannatyne a piece of his mind... Bless him, he's like my brother!

Anyway we will be gracing your TV screen and if you want to find out more then point your browser to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dbh7k and be watching Monday September 1st at 9pm. Both me and Christian are extremely embarrased at our appearance and especially where Christian calls me 'Rainman' on primetime TV!!! Yep just like a brother!!

Anyway you may have noticed that we have changed servers on our Tiny Box Company website so the shop and products and well everything looks a lot smoother and is more secure and looks great!!!


Anyway til later,

Rachel

Founder: Tiny Box Company and Tiny Difference

Couple of big points.... AND A NEW CLUB!!!!

Hello and Wow!!!!,

I cannot believe that it has been sooooo long since I posted! So much has been happening in the Tiny Offices it is unreal...

Our big TV appearance is imminent (within the next few weeks - I will let you know when, as soon as I know!)... we are in the process of switching servers for our website... We have a new, lovely member of staff, her name is Viktoria and she is the reason why I am tapping my keyboard right now:

Y'see we will only employ people who have that extra something, that little bit of madness that makes them 'special' and hopefully we will get a good idea along the way!

Well Viktoria has just had 'Viktoria's Great Idea Number 1' and here it is...

When V started in the Tiny Offices she saw it as a stepping stone for her fortune, as well as helping us out she was secretly planning to take over the world! Unbeknown to us she was reading and studying the book was called “How to Net a million” by Josephine Monroe and she burst into the office one day exclaiming, "I know what the Tiny Box Company needs!!!???" "What's that"? I said...

Turns out Viktoria reckons that we need a box and bag 'club' (?????).

After about 20 minutes of not being able to do a thing because of the rasping laughter that ensued we came around to her way of thinking!!!

Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys and Girls the Tiny Box Company is launching (drum roll please) - The Tiny Box Company's Box and Bag club...

We are inviting you to become a member. It is free to join and as a member you are now entitled to not only go bag and box spotting and telling us of your finds but also to use secret code words such as “bagmergency”, “boxmergency” and our favourite "bag (or box) alotititus"

We are working on day trips out bag and box spotting (with Viktoria of course as our own Bag Lady... we just need to get her some cats and a shopping trolley.

Have spoken to some of our customers already about the idea... they think it's a goer. So much so LA Jewellery have already tried to muscle in on it, demanding to be Box Member # 1! But that would be unfair!!!

The benefits of course are that if going for a new job or anything then you as a member would be able to put under the hobbies section of their CV that they are an active member of “the bag and box club” and have infinite tales to tell... we will of course provide membership badges (or little boxes) to pin on and various other merchandise... You will get Box and Bag discounts and more so you will have the honour and distinction of being a member of this ohhhh so secret club!!

Need I say anymore? No, didn't think so.

So sign up now with you name (and company) at boxandbagclub@tinyboxcompany.com to start changing your life forever...

Yours sincerely,

Rachel Watkyn (Box and Bag Club Director)

Tiny Box News

Hello Pop-pickers...

I spoke at the Barbican last weekend at the huge ethical 'UK Aware' event... I was speaking in Room 2 at about 3:15 so was absolutely bushed and could not bring myself to get into a (friendly) ethical argument and get excited in the debate... which is so unlike meeeeeeeeee!!! I decided to answer the question, which was also the topic of the debate; "Is being good, good for business?" - To summarise I said that consumers see past a company just adding a small amount of Fair Trade or ethical produce in their business to be seen to be green/ethical... One needs to adopt a whole business culture rather than a shallow product offering...

Anyway some TIny Box Company news;
We have just got a new printing machine so we can do double the amount of of printing as before. Yay for us!!! We can print on anything we supply; that's boxes and bags.

We are recruiting for a new member of staff at the moment so if you call us and neither I nor Christian answer and it's a strange voice then BE NICE!!!!

We are still the UK's sole recycled only packaging supplier with no minimum order!

We have just recorded our TV show. I can't tell you which one as both myself and Christian had to sign a secrecy agreement... I know dahlink... we are superstars now!! (hahahaaa) I can tell you that it's on a terrestrial channel and will air in the next few months.

Last but not least... Is it possible to actually have everything in life? Are we better off having a life of wealth without love or experience true love and be poor??

Hmmmm maybe I am just a hopeless romantic still looking for Mr Right?? AND NO I AM NOT NOR EVER HAVE BEEN SEEING CHRISTIAN... URRRRGHGHGHGHHHHHH!!!

Christian here... I am not that bad. I scrub up well and have a beautiful girlfriend... less of the 'Urrrrghghghhhhhhh' please Rachel!!!


Sorry Christian (Bleugh!)

Rachel

Tiny Box Company for recycled gift and jewellery packaging
www.tinyboxcompany.co.uk

I hate being in the middle...

Please dear readers... it's not meant to be rude! "Get that thought out of your head!!!... Thanks".
Anyway us here at the Tiny Box Company pride ourselves on our customer service... If on the odd occasion we make a mistake (and I mean very rare!!!) we rectify it and then some. Our business has grown so much over our very first 6 months of trading as anyone who has visited the 'Tiny Offices' will confirm!

What I hate though, is the lack of concern of some people that we deal with, with this I mean when we are caught in the middle... A courier has delivered to Birmingham when it was an urgent 'next day delivery' to Devon!!! The postal service do not leave notes to say that a parcel has arrived from us and could not be delivered to a customers house usually because it won't fit in the letterbox! All of our customers are lovely and I am not just writing that because it will look good for us, it is true! But when I (and the company) is let down and we are 'caught in the middle' it automatically looks bad on us. I hate it! All I get when I try to get justice done is 'well these things do happen...' etc etc.

I have been known to actually drive orders to customers when I have been let down. I am not just talking about couriers... We had an external print job and the sample came back with the customers logo back to front!!! I mean how downright careless is this?

Now I know mistakes do happen, just ask Christian and he will tell you that I am as scatty as they come but some of the things we have to put up with you would not believe and ALL of them if not rectified at considerable time and sometimes cost to us can easily be avoided by just a little bit of pride and care in the first place.

Rant over!!! I am sorry you had to read this I needed to vent..

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Rachel