The new series of Dragon’s Den will welcome its youngest ever dragon – a millionaire yet to hit 30, who’s written books on how to find success in life and love – when it returns to screens on BBC One next week.
Steven Bartlett, 29, will join Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies on the panel of the business reality show, which sees entrepreneurs decide whether to invest or not in ideas pitched to them.
It is quite a different place than his initial encounter with the programme ten year ago. He applied to pitch the dragons, but was rejected.
Bartlett wrote that he was afraid he wouldn’t make it big after quitting Manchester Metropolitan University’s course. He was currently single and said in Happy Sexy Millionaire (published earlier in the year) that he was an ‘insecure, broke, and lonely university dropout’ from a family of bankrupt parents.
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Steven Bartlett, 29, will replace Tej Lalvani on the latest series of Dragon’s Den, which is back on screens on January 6th; the CEO of social media marketing agency The Social Chain is worth £300 million
The businessman, who admits he felt like a ‘broke, lonely drop-out’ after quitting university aged 18 will join, from left, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones on the latest series
Bartlett may also be one Britain’s most desirable bachelors, according to the BBC One trailer. According to him, he said: “I am a single 28-year-old guy looking for a girl.”
Bartlett next week. CEO of social media marketing agency The Social Chain – currently valued at £300million – will officially be anointed as a new dragon when the new series airs on January 6th.
Bartlett today tweeted, “Bartlett created his company in his Manchester room after dropping out from university at 22.”Ten years ago, at the age of 18, I made an application to pitch to Dragons. At 28 years of age, I now have the honor to be among them.
The young entrepreneur, born in Botswana and brought up in Plymouth, has replaced Tej Lalvani, 46, on the show. After quitting university, he started Wallpark, a platform for students before setting up Social Chain and Media Chain – brands that have worked with names including Apple, Amazon and Coca-Cola.
Filming is almost over He said BBC Radio 1Xtra’s If You Don’t Know podcast, that he was determined to join the panel as there ‘has not been a young, black man on the show’ and he wanted to be a role model for others.
He declared:A lot of my motivation for wanting to be Dragon and doing the show was because it is big and that I’m not an entrepreneur on the show. That show has not featured a black young man.
“I feel that I have a responsibility because this will show 12-year old Steve or other Steve’s that they can also be businesspeople.
The 19th episode of Dragon’s Den filmed the new dragon.
New series features a young businessman who isn’t afraid to express his opinion, which leads Touker Suleyman’s co-dragon to ask him ‘What do you know?
Read all about it: Steven is also driven by a desire to appeal to the ‘underrepresented’ and encourage and enable people to thrive in the business world
Dragons Den CEO Steven Bartlett is the youngest Dragon ever to be a Dragon. He has thought about making history as a Dragon and how he hopes to reach out to those who are ‘underrepresented.
“To have someone as like me, that doesn’t wear a suit and is interested in all of the same things that you are – such as hip-hop music and Manchester United – is an enabler.
“Because role models can be most effective when they are relatable to what they have done.
Steven’s drive is also to help the underrepresented and empower people in their business endeavors.
He explained that “CEO” is a term used to describe white men dressed in suits. While I don’t object to white men wearing suits, I do not support leaving talented people out of the field because they feel excluded.
“And so, by being a black male in a snapback I will appeal other black men and women in snapbacks. Anyone from an underrepresented family, I’ll let them know they are welcome at the table.
Inspiring: Speaking on BBC Radio 1Xtra’s If You Don’t Know podcast, Botswana-born Steven said he was determined to join the panel as there ‘has not been a young, black man on the show’ and he wanted to be a role model for others
Bartlett is seen on This Morning this year. His success was due to a positive confidence circle – in which trying new things propels you forward. He said: ‘What’s happened with me since I was very young, is my self belief has compounded positively upwards. My first attempt at something was successful and I survived. “I’m going to try another thing.”
“That was why I felt a sense responsibility. I felt that this was more about others than me.
You don’t need to dress up in a suit or pretend you’re someone else. Just be you and enjoy the moment.
“I have never worn a business suit. Social Chain has not had a single day where I’ve worn a suit to work.
“So, why would you then switch for television?” The majority of the population is not well-suited for me.
It’s all about the internet and social media. Right now, it’s just like working from home. Imagine yourself going to Dragon’s Den dressed in a suit while the rest of the world is working from home wearing their boxer briefs.
Discussing his age and going onto the panel alongside fellow older multi-millionaires Touker Suleyman, 67, Sara Davies, 37, Deborah Meaden, 62, and Peter Jones, 55, he said: ‘The other thing with going on that show, especially with the age component, is to feel “happy to be here”.
“Respecting an opportunity is more important than respecting yourself. When they are offered jobs, they either don’t speak out or just try to fit in.
Goodbye. Former dragon Tej Lvani declared in January that he will not return for the 19th season. He also resigned from the Den after a period of four years. Right: Steven Bartlett is the young pretender. He will be taking his place during the 19th season.
It’s like the “happy-to-be here syndrome”, where you don’t see yourself as high and you just try to keep it. You don’t feel as if your self-worth is higher if you see yourself higher.
You can be happy to be here, but you won’t want to do anything that could put you in danger. You just keep thinking, “Oh my God I can’t believe that I’m here.”
“And that’s from my immigrant mindset, and me not seeing another Dragon, like me, on the show is going to give to me a little bit of “happy being here syndrome”. But I also know I need to stop that.
Steven gave some tips on how to succeed in business. He emphasized the importance of not taking any risks before you take a leap.
Since 2005, Dragons’ Den has delivered high-stakes television dramas. In fact, it was moved from BBC2 (BBC2) to BBC1 (18th series).
He stated that while everyone loves to start, you have to give up something in order for it not be a success. Quitting is often the most difficult part. I find it much more difficult to let go and fall from a branch than holding on to one.
“People aren’t talking about the art and importance of quitting. This is probably why it’s even more critical for your success.
“Everyone has said it in my DMs. It is like saying, “I don’t know how to start”. That is actually a mental Mount Everest, which we decide to place in front ourselves. Don’t try to move Mount Everest. Instead, take one step and just move the stone. Consider the name of today’s business.
“There isn’t a right place for you to start your business. Actually, you will have 100 items that you must do immediately when you begin to build your company. You need a name and a website when you start – all of these things are necessary simultaneously. Pick one and get started today. This is true. It is as easy as starting.
“What I have noticed since I was very little is how my self-belief has risen positively. When I tried it, I was amazed at how well I pulled it off. I survived! “I’m going to try another.” When you are able to get into that positive confidence zone, you will eventually believe you can do anything.
When you are in a chaotic, high-stakes situation, it is important to not take life too seriously.
BBC’s Entrepreneurship Show gives budding entrepreneurs three minutes each to present their ideas to five millionaires, in the hopes of getting financial backing.
Steven has published Happy Sexy Millionaire this year and also hosts the podcast The Diary Of A CFO. Steven stated that he feels honored to appear on the show he’s been watching since he was 12 years old, Metro reports.
Tej made it clear in January that he was leaving the show for its 19th season. He also announced that he would be leaving after having served four years.
Tej, who serves as CEO of the UK’s largest vitamin company Vitabiotics and has an estimated net worth of £390million according to the Sunday Times Rich List, joined the show in 2017.
He stated that he was excited to see the new series of Dragons’ Den.
“But after four wonderful years of being a Dragon, I’ve decided to end this series.
“My commitment to my international expansion and growth of my core business, and the many investments made over the years unfortunately means I will not be able spend the required time to continue moving forward.”
Since 2005, Dragons’ Den has delivered high-stakes television dramas. In fact, it was moved from BBC2 (BBC2) to BBC1.
Following the publication of guidelines that allowed production of TV to resume after the pandemic, the final series was taped in 2020.
BBC One airs Dragons’ Den on Thursday, January 6th at 8.