I auditioned for Dragon’s Den seven times before I finally got on the show.

Each audition taught me something different — not just about television, but about entrepreneurship, preparation, discipline, rejection, and what it actually takes to build a real business.

Below is a breakdown of my seven attempts, followed by practical advice for anyone planning to pitch the producers or step into the Den.

PART 1 — My 7 Auditions That Led to Getting On the Show

Attempt #1 — Jersey Mount

I walked into my first audition excited, confident, and underprepared.

Like many entrepreneurs, I truly believed I had created the next big million-dollar innovation. Friends and family loved it. I had some early traction at local tournaments and tradeshows. I thought that was enough.

The audition itself felt like a movie — big auditorium, cameras, producers, lights, entrepreneurs everywhere. I brought everything: a banner, an easel, marketing materials, and a branded outfit. I imagined myself shaking hands with the Dragons before I even met the producers.

Then reality hit.

When I revealed the product, the producers showed little to no excitement. The questions got sharp fast: numbers, margins, scalability, proof. Within minutes, I realized I wasn’t ready. Halfway through, I knew I’d lost the room.

I packed up, walked to my car, and sat there in shock.

Rule #1: Never be overconfident.
Confidence is essential — but overconfidence makes entrepreneurs blind. It causes you to skip hard truths: financials, operations, scalability, long-term reality. A “no” hits harder when your expectations aren’t grounded. The goal is confident + humble + open-minded. Never dismiss feedback — every opinion is a potential customer later.

Attempt #2 — Jersey Mount

My second attempt looked better on the surface: I knew my numbers this time. But the numbers weren’t impressive because I was still working another job to fund the business.

I was grinding — full-time work, then tradeshows and side sales whenever I could. I believed my “hard work story” would push me through.

It didn’t.

The producers didn’t care that I was hustling. They cared about traction and scale. And once again, I walked back to my car with a rejection.

Rule #2: Jump in with both feet (if you’re a solo founder).
Entrepreneurship is not a side hobby. It’s 24/7. When you split your attention, your business feels it: fewer sales, less marketing, less momentum, less confidence. The biggest mistake I made early was not launching with enough runway. If you’re going full-time, aim for a plan + funding + at least 6 months of personal runway so you can build without constantly pausing to survive.

Attempt #3 — Tee Block Advertising

This time I pitched a different business: tee block advertising on golf courses — something I’d done as a student. It was profitable and worked well for a university lifestyle.

I went in confident because it was proven.

But the producers immediately asked:

“Can you patent this?” (No.)
“What do you do in the winter?” (Not much.)

As a small seasonal business, it was great. As a Dragon investment, it wasn’t.

Rule #3: Stick to your guns.
Sometimes pivoting is smart — but distractions can also be avoidance. Tee block advertising pulled time, energy, and focus away from what I truly cared about: Sport Displays and the Jersey Mount. If you have a business you believe in, go all-in and build it properly instead of chasing side ventures to fund it.

Attempt #4 — Jersey Mount (The Worst Audition)

By my fourth audition, my business was growing: online sales, tradeshow sales, real momentum. I was full-time in the business and excited to try again.

But this audition was in a smaller location near Hamilton, and the format was different — isolated room, waiting alone until producers entered.

They arrived late. They seemed young. Their energy was flat. They barely looked up. They were texting during my pitch and even giggled at one point.

They didn’t ask meaningful questions. The whole audition ended abruptly — perfectly timed for their lunch break.

It was so unprofessional that I emailed the show afterward — something I’ve never done in my life — because I felt future entrepreneurs deserved better.

Then I received my fourth “no.”

Rule #4: Some things are out of your control.
Not every rejection is about you. Meetings go sideways. Timing is wrong. People have bad days. Competitors undercut deals. The point is: don’t let one bad interaction derail your momentum. In golf, bad shots happen — you don’t quit, you take a different club and keep playing.

Attempt #5 — Jersey Mount (Zoom Audition)

This one was my laziest — and honestly one of my most fun.

I auditioned over Zoom and didn’t take it seriously. I had plateaued and didn’t believe I’d get on anyway. I joked around with the producers, but I didn’t show the intensity or sharpness of someone building something big.

I was rejected again.

Rule #5: Take your business seriously.
The moment you stop treating your business like it matters, it starts to decline — slowly at first, then suddenly. At that stage, I was “comfortable enough,” and comfort is dangerous. Momentum dies quietly. Thankfully, my life changed soon after — I met my wife, Amanda — and the energy came back.

Attempt #6 — Jersey Mount (Backup Selection)

This audition was different because Amanda came with me. She was excited about the lights and cameras, and it reminded me why I started.

I didn’t expect to get on — I wanted her to be part of the journey.

The audition went well. Some producers even remembered me.

A few months later, I got my first call back: I was selected as a backup pitcher for the show. I spoke with producers, prepped the set, and waited for my moment.

Then my air date came and went.

I wasn’t selected.

So close — and yet so far.

Rule #6: If at first you don’t succeed, try again — and then keep going.
After that, I made it personal: I decided I would get on the show eventually. Two words became everything: consistency and persistence.

Attempt #7 — Jersey Mount (Finally In)

For my seventh audition, I came prepared like a professional.

I had years of sales and traction. Stronger numbers. Momentum. And I even had a celebrity endorsement lined up: Doug Gilmour agreed to come on with me if I made it to taping.

The audition lasted nearly 30 minutes — good energy, strong back-and-forth, lots of laughs, serious questions, and clear answers.

And finally, after seven attempts, I got the call:

I made it on Dragon’s Den.

Rule #7: Be consistent and persistent.
That’s the real formula. Business. Sports. Marriage. Life. The people who win are the ones who keep showing up — learning, adjusting, and staying in the game long after others quit.

PART 2 — 7 Tips for Pitching the Producers

Know your numbers cold. No pauses. No guessing.
Remember: TV show first, business show second. Your pitch must entertain.
Keep it simple. If it’s complex, make it understandable in 10 seconds.
Create energy and back-and-forth. Longer auditions = more opportunity.
Don’t be cocky. Be confident, likeable, and memorable.
Use a celebrity or “TV moment” if possible. Skits, demonstrations, interactions.
Have fun. Fun = personality. Personality = good television.