I was homeless and in and out of jail – now my company is worth millions even though Dragon’s Den rejected me
A HOMELESS man who bounced in and out of jail now runs a multi-million pound company – despite being rejected on Dragon’s Den.
Ben Pearson went from living on the streets, struggling with his mental health and weighing 30 stone – to becoming an entrepreneur with a successful empire promoted by Harvey Price.
The 30-year-old, who hails from Scunthorpe, Lincs., pitched his plus-sized clothing business on Dragons’ Den in episode two of season 20, in January last year.
Ben, who is diagnosed with autism, faced Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, and Touker Suleyman and won viewers over with his inspirational rags to riches tale.
He spoke of a childhood in care, being in and out of young offenders institutions, before eventually finding himself sleeping rough.
NEW BEGINNINGS
His struggles resulted in significant weight gain – and Ben noticed a lack of affordable plus-sized clothing in high street stores.
After seeking help, undergoing therapy, and getting his life on track in 2015, Ben began building his company Big Clothing 4 U from his bedroom.
He told the Dragons’ Den blog he was “inspired by fashion and the gap in the market”.
“I have always been very business driven, but the inspiration comes from when I was 30 stone and couldn’t find clothes,” Ben explained.
At first his clothes – which range from 2XL to 8XL – were flogged on eBay and Amazon to later rake in £2.9million in 2021.
By 2022, the young businessman was on track to turn over an eye-watering £3.5million.
But, barriers preventing him from tapping into a rich vein in international markets led Ben to the Dragons.
HARVEY AND KATIE PRICE SUPPORT
In his attempt to promote the brand, Ben turned to the former glamour model and her son.
Harvey and Ben share an autism diagnosis, which propelled the young entrepreneur to seek the Prices’ support.
He admitted to “knocking on Kate’s best friend’s door” for over a year and a half to set up a meeting.
“I got a meeting with Kate and we never looked back,” Ben explained.
Harvey is now a brand ambassador for Big Clothing 4 U.
Ben revealed to the Dragons’ Den blog: “I’ve got this connection with Harvey as we’ve both got autism.
“His mum Katie could relate to me, and from a parent’s perspective, she found it really frustrating trying to find clothes for Harvey.”
DRAGONS’ DEN REJECTION
The stone-faced business tycoons were impressed by Ben’s pitch, with Deborah Meaden inspecting the clothes and admitting they were “really nicely made”.
They also appreciated the entrepreneur’s candid approach and straight-shooter attitude.
Steven Bartlett praised Ben for “one of the best pitches” he had seen on the show.
He stood before them asking for a £150,000 investment for a 10% stake in his business.
But, despite their admiration for Ben and his company – a £2million stock pile wrapped up in a large loan caused three out of four Dragons to reject the offer.
Never give up, don’t let anyone stand in your way.”
Ben Pearson
Mr Jones declared “the business isn’t quite there”, while Mr Bartlett said there were “big alarm bells” and Mrs Meaden agreed.
But, Mr Suleyman decided to bet on Ben, and offered him the money for 35 per cent of the business.
After the proposal, Ben beamed and said it was “just what we need” and urged young people to “never give up, don’t let anyone stand in your way”.
Talking to BusinessLive, the 30-year-old added: “It was really good and the aftermath, the outpouring, has been incredible.”
And, after the episode aired, Ben’s clothing company saw a whopping 5,000 per cent sales increase.
“My autism was the reason for wanting to go on the show, more than getting the investment,” he added.
“It is important to me to spread awareness of people with autism, to understand different disabilities.”
It comes as other Dragons’ Den pitches have been rejected – to go on and make millions.
A £70million business idea was laughed at by the dragons – but now the helpful product is bought by famous celebrities worldwide.
Shaun Pulfrey, from Grimsby, walked away empty handed after his Tangle Teezer pitch was rejected on the show in 2007.
But, the entrepreneur trusted his expertise, having worked at high end salons, and went on to sell most of his shares for an eye-watering £70million in 2021 to Mayfair Equity Partners.
Meanwhile, Rachel Watkyn, 52, is was ignored after presenting her ‘Tiny Box Company’, which makes environmentally-friendly and recycled packaging, to the panel.
She was even called “pathetic” for the multimillion pound idea.
Her company now makes over 1,500 products for nearly 200,000 customers.
Fellow entrepreneur Chika Russell rejected five offers from the dragons – and now she has a £10million business.
Nearly a decade on from turning down the £30,000 investment in return for a share of 25 per cent, her company – Chika’s Food – has flourished.
