Tyneside entrepreneur takes condiments business on Dragons’ Den

The entrepreneur behind a Tyneside-based alternative condiments business featured on Dragons’ Den over the weekend.

Lizzy Hodcroft appeared on the hit BBC show last night (December 2) to pitch her business, The Sweet Beet, to a full table of the infamous dragons.

Commenting on the experience, the 29-year-old former chef said: “ It’s a little big to comprehend and the whole experience has been something of a personal journey for me.

“If you told me just two years ago that I would be watching myself pitch to the Dragons, I would have never believed you.”

She continued: “I’ve surprised myself with the growth and development I have undertaken both in business but also in my own self-discovery. Being picked just to pitch to the dragons was already a massive milestone.

“But to have the chance to share my story on the BBC programme makes me feel incredibly privileged and I loved the experience.”

Despite not securing investment in the end, Lizzie considers the experience an inspiring one.

She added: “I don’t think I’ve ever felt my heart beat so hard. The entire day I was shaking and just couldn’t control it.

“There’s no terror quite like standing in front of the Dragons for the first time. I might not have walked away with any money but I also didn’t get pulled apart.”

Speaking further, Lizzie said she felt she was able to “connect” with the Dragons. She explained: “They confirmed that I was on the track to success. Weirdly, they knew more about me than I did!”

Sunday’s episode of Dragons’ Den was not the first time Lizzie’s business has featured on the telly. In May, her Habanero Lime Jelly was put through its paces by BBC Two culinary expert Nigel Barden on Simon Mayo’s Drivetime show.

The Sweet Beet’s products are now stocked in more than 100 farm and deli stores in the UK, including the international supermarket chain Wholefoods.