Getting On The Map
It is one thing to come up with a money-making idea but it is another to persuade others that you are on to a winner. Just ask David Overton who went on the TV show Dragon’s Den to persuade the judges to back his washable, wearable maps. Dragons by name dragons by nature. After Dragon Sarah Willingham told Mr Overton that she “would look ridiculous wearing the A to Z around my neck” and fellow dragon Peter Jones said “I don’t see how you can make a lot of money” he left the show empty handed. With hindsight it was the best thing that could have happened to him. For after a chance meeting on a train with Mark Constantine, the founder of cosmetics brand Lush, he received an order for 1,800 of his SplashMaps. And they are proving to be a hit with up to a third already being sold as scarves and gift-wrap. What’s more Mr Constantine said he “hoped the collaboration would continue”. As for Mr Overton he said “It means a heap more than the Dragons because here’s a guy who believes in the product and knows that he can make a good profit.” Sounds like Mr Overton has it all mapped out.