logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2021
36m 16s

Deborah Meaden, businesswoman

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Deborah Meaden is a businesswoman and entrepreneur. She’s been one of the investment ‘Dragons’ in the BBC TV series since 2006.

Destined to be a successful entrepreneur, Deborah Meaden launched her first business straight out of college at nineteen years old, importing artisan Italian glass and ceramic homeware goods to the UK.

After running various franchise businesses, she joined her family company, Weststar Holidays and eventually became Managing Director. A few years later, when her parents wanted to retire, she bought them out of the business and later sold the company making her a multi-millionaire.

Deborah is now a full time investor with a wide ranging portfolio. For the last fifteen years, she has been one of the investment Dragons on BBC TV’s Dragon’s Den. Even though she has many millions in the bank, she has no plans to step back from business. “Why would I stop doing something that I love?”

She lives in Somerset with her husband, Paul.

DISC ONE: Ride a White Swan by T. Rex DISC TWO: The Bottle by Gil Scott-Heron / Brian Jackson DISC THREE: Mercy Mercy Me by Marvin Gaye DISC FOUR: Don't Push It Don't Force It by Leon Haywood DISC FIVE: Money's Too Tight To Mention by The Valentine Brothers DISC SIX: El Condor Pasa by Simon And Garfunkel DISC SEVEN: Suite: The Planets – Jupiter composed by Gustav Holst, performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent DISC EIGHT: Be Thankful For What You've Got by William De Vaughn BOOK CHOICE: A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor LUXURY ITEM: A sketch book and pencil CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Be Thankful For What You've Got by William De Vaughn

Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Sarah Taylor

Up next
Jul 5
Professor Lucy Easthope, emergency planner
Professor Lucy Easthope is an adviser on disaster recovery and planning. She’s an expert in planning for and reacting to major incidents: natural disaster, terrorist attacks, pandemics and fires, and is the visiting Professor of Mass Fatalities and Pandemics at the University of ... Show More
51m 36s
Jun 29
Romesh Ranganathan, comedian and broadcaster
Romesh Ranganathan is a comedian and BAFTA-winning broadcaster who has been a fixture on British television screens for the past decade. In addition to his TV shows and stand-up tours he presents the Weakest Link on BBC One, Radio Two’s Saturday morning show and another weekly Ra ... Show More
50m 23s
Jun 22
Abdulrazak Gurnah, writer
Abdulrazak Gurnah is emeritus Professor of Post-Colonial Literatures at the University of Kent and the 2021 Nobel Prize winner in Literature. Born in Zanzibar in 1948, the second of six children, Abdulrazak grew up in the dying days of the island’s status as a British protectorat ... Show More
51m 17s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2019
Mary Queen of Scots, Approaching Empty, Leila Slimani, Fausto Melotti, Ride Upon The Storm
A new film telling the story of Mary Queen of Scots and her relationship with Elizabeth I, stars Saiorse Ronan and Margot Robbie as the 2 queens Approaching Empty is a new play by Ishy Din just opened at The Kiln Theatre in London. Set in a run-down minicab office in the north of ... Show More
50m 9s
Dec 2022
Indra Nooyi on Leadership, Culture, and Steve Jobs
During her 12-year run as CEO of Pepsi, Indra Nooyi helped the company grow sales by 80%. Despite her success as one of the most powerful women in business, she's happy to be out of the world of “bits and bytes.” Motley Fool co-founder and CEO Tom Gardner caught up with Nooyi to ... Show More
27m 47s
Jun 2022
Paula Rego Remembered, Cressida Cowell, Elif Shafak, Stones In His Pockets
Artist Paula Rego remembered. Following the sad news today of the death of one of the most important figurative painters of our times, we look back on her life and work with art critic Louisa Buck.Outgoing Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell on why she’s pushing the government to ... Show More
42m 18s
Nov 2023
The Nuanced Endeavor
[This episode (aka "Napa, Act 1") was recorded live in 2022 at the Blue Note Jazz Festival.] “Art is the perfect place to talk it out–in fact, maybe the last place.” The crew reflects on how nuance and purpose is lost in a culture that favors judgment over debate. Executive Produ ... Show More
23m 29s
Feb 2022
Shannah Shares: Best Money Books For 2022
On this episode of Shannah Shares, Community Q&A, I'm answering a question from Rachel:“Hi there Shannah. I feel like you’re a friend but you don’t even know me. I’m a regular listener and I know you’ve featured so many authors on this show who have books. I’m curious what some o ... Show More
52m 1s
Jul 2022
Super Soul Special: Oprah Winfrey: The Path Made Clear
Original Air Date: April 1, 2019On a special edition of “Super Soul Conversations,” Oprah Winfrey discusses her book, “The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose,” featuring some of the most profound insights and Aha! moments. In this follow-up to her New ... Show More
40m 13s
Nov 2022
Best Money Books to Read in 2022
On this episode of Shannah Shares, Community Q&A, I'm answering a question from Rachel:“Hi there Shannah. I feel like you’re a friend but you don’t even know me. I’m a regular listener and I know you’ve featured so many authors on this show who have books. I’m curious what some o ... Show More
51m 42s
Mar 2020
The Nest, The Truth, The Bass Rock, Cranach at Compton Verney and Home Entertainment Recommendations
The Nest is the new Sunday night drama on BBC1 that raises questions around the ethics of surrogacy as a wealthy couple invite a young woman whose past is not known to them into their lives. The Truth is a French/Japanese production directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda who won the Palme ... Show More
46m 17s
Dec 2020
Books (with Louise Penny, Stacey Abrams, and Marley Dias)
Books: They can transport us, entertain us, show us who we can be, and even get us through hard times. In this episode, Hillary sits down with three fellow book-lovers: mystery novelist (and friend) Louise Penny; return guest Stacey Abrams in her capacity as romance writer (!); a ... Show More
47m 17s