A contestant on Dragons’ Den revealed what the dragons are really like (Image: BBC)
is one of the most recognised television shows in the UK, having launched on the in 2005.
The show has seen countless entrepreneurs arrive in the den over the years, pitching their business to the dragons and hoping to walk out with an investment.
One businesswoman who recently appeared on the show was Katriona Shovlin. The 32-year-old set up Hen Weekend Chicken Boarding from her home in Upchurch, Kent, in 2023.
The all-inclusive hen hotel, which also welcomes ducks, promises the animals a five-star stay whilst their owners are away. Explaining how she started her business, Katriona recalled having nowhere to leave her pets after booking a holiday with her family.
She said: “I’ve got my own flock. I booked a holiday but realised I had no one to look after my hens. I was asking around, but my friends weren’t sure and said they didn’t really like birds.
…
Katriona Shovlin launched Hen Weekend in 2023 (Image: Instagram/Hen Weekend)
“I was just met with rejection, but thought other chicken owners must have the same problem.”
Katriona continued: “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not the first hen hotel. Other people have started it before but there’s nothing like this near me, at all. So I spotted an opportunity to mark it differently, as a hotel.
“It’s five stars, all inclusive. They listen to classical music all day. They’ve got disco balls, neon bar signs and cocktail signs. I wanted to make it a fun concept but with love and care as well.”
Katriona was approached to appear on Dragons’ Den, but admitted she wasn’t sure at first.
“When they called me and asked if I wanted to come on I said no,” she recounted. “But then I thought, I could use this in a really positive way.”
Don’t miss…
Katriona appeared on the first episode of series 22 of Dragons’ Den (Image: BBC)
The entrepreneur continued: “Hens are being rescued all the time from slaughter, that’s why they’re becoming so popular which is amazing. I just wanted to put it out there that they make great pets. Hens deserve respect, love and care like you would as a cat or a dog.”
Hoping to raise awareness and scale up her business, Katriona appeared in front of Sara Davies, Touker Suleyman, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones, and guest dragon Joe Wicks on the first episode of series 22.
Opening up about what the dragons were really like, Katriona said: “It’s scary. You bare your soul to these billionaires. But I thought, ‘What have I got to lose?’
“It was so scary in the den, but the dragons were very warm towards me. They were just really lovely.”
Katriona also shared her honest opinon on Touker, shutting down any speculation that he’s “moody”.
“Touker is really lovely by the way, everyone seems to think he’s quite moody, but he was super lovely,” she said.
Katriona urged anyone who has the opportunity to appear on the show (Image: BBC)
Despite spending over two hours in the den with the dragons, just five minutes of Katriona’s pitch was shown on screen.
But this is something she was told about beforehand, saying: “They did prewarn me that I’d only see a few minutes on the telly but it is not like that in real life.
“It can be anything from one to three hours. There’s no cuts or takes, from the minute you’re in there it’s back and forth with the dragons. It was long and draining because of your adrenaline, but it was a brilliant experience.
“I think all the dragons were just really lovely. From start to finish, it was incredible.”
Katriona said she would advise anyone who has the opportunity to appear on the show, saying: “I would say if you’ve ever thought about going on the show, don’t hesitate.
Katriona hopes to save hens from slaughter houses and show they make perfect pets (Image: Instagram/Hen Weekend)
“There’s obviously a process which can seem quite daunting, but if you manage to get on there, it’s so worth it. The platform is amazing.”
Despite just five minutes of her pitch being shown, Katriona revealed those few minutes have changed her life and business.
She declared: “Although mine was cut down, those five minutes have completely changed my life. It’s elevated my business into something I couldn’t imagine before.
“I’ve had an amazing response and it’s been so positive. I’ve had people reaching out to me about rescuing hens. It’s a movement and a bigger message than what I was trying to give out.”
Katriona added: “My business is boarding hens but the message I’m trying to give is that they’re amazing pets and creatures and if we can save them from slaughter and get them in people’s gardens then that’s what I want to do.”