Kelowna Business Owners Step into the Dragons’ Den

A Kelowna-based company is about to get national attention with an appearance on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.

Shari McDowell, chief financial officer for Aquassure Accessible Baths, headed to the Dragons’ Den in May, along with the company's CEO Matthew Longman.

The show gives entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their business to five famous Canadian business moguls in hopes of an investment or partnership.

The episode with Aquassure, which was filmed in spring 2015, will finally air on February 10 at 8 p.m., and later online.

“It was actually pretty exciting, and a little bit nerve wracking,” described McDowell.

McDowell and Longman traveled to Toronto to film for a little over an hour at the CBC building downtown.

“And then you wait, and you don’t know if you’re going to be on or not,” said McDowell, who explained that only a percentage of people who film actually make it on the final cut of the show, which airs months later.

But, luckily for them, they got the call two weeks ago that their presentation to the ‘Dragons’ will air.

“Now it’s nerve-racking because we don’t know what the final cut will look like,” said MacDowell.

On Wednesday, they’re hosting a small viewing party for family and friends at home, to watch and celebrate their segment.

Overall, she said there were definitely a few surprises while filming. McDowell said the whole process is run really smoothly and professionally, and the Dragons aren’t as scary as they may seem.

“They were super nice. Way nicer than you (assume) from the show, when things are edited,” said McDowell.

McDowell said their goal going in to the show was to get an investment from the Dragons, and they were also looking for the opportunity to have their business showcased on TV.

“I can’t tell you, though, whether we got it or not, that has to wait,” said McDowell, laughing happily.

Aquassure Accessible Baths has been in business since 2007, but have been located at 1048 Richter Street in Kelowna since 2009.

“It’s been a really long haul with our company and we’re now finally seeing success, so we’re very excited for the next year or two for Aquassure and for our products.”

The company focuses on providing accessible bath products to seniors and those with disabilities.

At the Dragon’s Den pitch, they presented their ADL Spa Slide-in Tub, which lay down and soak, with a greater level of safety getting in and out.

“A couple of the Dragons actually tried out our product, so that was very exciting,” said McDowell.

When asked if she would recommend Dragons’ Den to other entrepreneurs, McDowell didn’t hesitate.

“Absolutely, it was a great experience,” she said.