A mother and son toy making duo has secured a £100,000 deal with Hamleys, proving the BBC’s Dragons' Den naysayers wrong.
The team behind My Lookalike Doll, a range of dolls designed to emulate the appearance of their owner, took to the BBC show with the hope of securing investment.
In search of £75,000 investment, Tracey and Keiran Cannon were instead told that their business was unviable and were advised to quit.
However, the partnership has now landed a £100,000 deal with toy retailer Hamleys, who has ordered the range in time for Christmas.
"Going on Dragons' Den was absolutely devastating – one of the most humiliating experiences of my life,” said Cannon.
"But the rejection by the Dragons made both of us even more determined to succeed, whatever the odds.”
Hamleys made an initial order of 100 dolls and outfits, which all sold out. The retailer then ordered 500 more, telling the My Lookalike Doll team that it would need at least another 500 by Christmas.
"The whole order is around £100,000 and they’re worried we won’t be able to make them fast enough,” Cannon told the Daily Mail.
"The buyer had no idea about Dragons' Den,” she added.
"We are delighted that our toys are stocked in such an amazing shop.”
