When FixIts founder Chris Lefteri saw the 20th landmark series of BBC One’s Dragons’ Den was looking for new applicants, he didn’t think about it for a single minute. He applied right away for an investment in the repair brand.
Getting to appear on the show was one thing, but actually securing the investment was another. The episode, which aired today at 8pm, reveals how FixIts founder Chris Lefteri almost didn’t get the investment he so wanted for the brand’s future development.
On the show, Chris stands before the famously ruthless Dragons and makes his case passionately and positively for FixIts. He says that, given households need to save money while also actively wanting to protect the environment, FixIts is the brand to help them do that!
The Dragons listen to him, Chris does a great job. But with each Dragon ultimately saying “I’m out”, Chris almost loses hope. Dragon Sara Davies says she’s disappointed but has a negative outlook, saying it’s so easy to copy.
All is almost lost until Chris stands in front of the final Dragon, Steven Bartlett. This is the moment that changes everything. After four No’s, Steven makes FixIts an offer. 12% of the business was on the table, but Steven Bartlett offers 25%. He thinks it’s an amazing opportunity for social media.
It’s a deal! Steven Bartlett is now bringing investment of £45,000 into FixIts as well as expertise and contacts in the industry to help FixIts get to the next stage in its promising future and boost its storytelling potential.
With the climate crisis and the cost-of-living crisis at the top of most people’s minds, FixIts is an urgent solutions-focused brand that can help cut your costs, reduce your carbon footprint and protect the things you love!
But the brand is still quite young, and needs investment, imagination and connections to help it get out to as many people as possible. After all, it’s an amazing product with amazing potential.
Repair brand, FixIts, founded after an initial Kickstarter campaign, is a positive brand for our challenging times. It’s a low-cost way to reduce your waste, save you time and money, and get you out of all sorts of fixes. It’s amazing because it does what glue and tape can’t do!
Simply dunk a FixIts stick in some hot water and soon you’ll be remoulding it into anything. FixIts is super versatile, use it to fix a mobile phone cable, mend a broken washing stand, stop a watering can leak, and thousands and thousands more uses, limited only by your imagination!
Chris Lefteri, founder of FixIts, said:
“We’re just thrilled with this result. I only had three minutes to make the pitch, but even in that short amount of time I was able to get all five of the Dragons supportive of FixIts and really behind what we’re trying to do.
They were all very encouraging and saw the opportunities of the brand. They’re not my ‘typical’ user but they understand retail, business and branding, so it was a huge thrill to have their positive support. Steven Bartlett’s investment and skill for communications will really help us get FixIts to more people.
It’s a storytelling brand more than most, because there’s so much to say to explain what it is, and he grasps the amazing opportunity of that. We think he will be fantastic for the brand, particularly given he engages with young people.”
Checkout www.fixits.com for fixing sticks, inspiration and more.