My Dragons' Den journey was one of the most surreal, stressful, and defining moments in my business, and it started long before filming day.
Greg and Emma in the Dragons' Den studio before pitching Cornel's World terrariums
Emma and me on set before our Dragons' Den season 9 pitch.

Watch the pitch

You can still watch my pitch today on the official CBC page or on YouTube (best for U.S. viewers):

Cornel's World on Dragons' Den

Two auditions, two years running

My Dragons' Den journey began years before the episode aired. I auditioned at Mount Royal University two years in a row.

Attempt #1 (2013): Emma was 6 years old, and we pitched together for the very first time.

Greg and Emma during their first Dragons' Den audition at Mount Royal University in 2013
Our first-ever Dragons' Den audition, 2013 at Mount Royal University.

We didn't get a callback that year.

Attempt #2 (2014): I came back alone. Well, with a bearded dragon.

I left thinking it went poorly again, until a reporter suddenly said:

Oh! You brought your very own dragon to the Den!
A reporter at the 2014 audition

That moment changed everything. The producers perked up, asked more questions, and eventually asked: “What's your availability?”

Selected for season 9

Shortly after the audition, I was officially selected to film for season 9, and our shoot date was set for March 24, 2014.

Emma was 7 years old, turning 8 the next month, and she still knew the pitch better than me.

Greg and Emma arriving at the studio in the morning to pitch on Dragons' Den
Arriving at the studio early in the morning, ready (and nervous) for our pitch.
The Dragons' Den season 9 set with the Dragons' chairs before filming began
The iconic set on the morning of our season 9 taping.

The shoot

Season
9
Filmed
March 24, 2014
Pitching
Greg, with Emma (7)
Animals
A bearded dragon and a tarantula
The Dragons
Arlene Dickinson, David Chilton, Jim Treliving, Michael Wekerle, and Vikram Vij
Released
13th web pitch, Thursday, February 5, 2015

As a longtime fan, my biggest fear was being shredded by Kevin O'Leary for my valuation, but he had just left the show for Shark Tank. Huge relief.

The real coach was seven years old

The night before filming, I stayed up until the early hours practising my pitch and messing up nearly every time. Emma sat beside me patiently correcting me.

She was 7, but she knew every word better than I did.

Behind the scenes

On filming day, we brought a tarantula and a bearded dragon. Because of that, the crew filmed extra cutaway shots of Emma for a potential Halloween promo.

Emma smiling while holding a tarantula during Cornel's World's Dragons' Den appearance
Emma with the tarantula, originally used in a Halloween promo for our appearance.
Film crew recording Emma with a tarantula for Dragons' Den cutaway shots
Behind the camera: the crew filming Emma and the tarantula for cutaway shots and Halloween promo ideas.
Carter sitting with the bearded dragon during Dragons' Den taping
Carter patiently waiting with the bearded dragon while we prepared to head into the Den.
Emma holding a tarantula and smiling during the Dragons' Den filming day
Another shot of Emma absolutely owning it with the tarantula on filming day.

Walking into the Den, and two offers

When our turn finally came, the nerves were intense. Walking through those steel doors into the Den is an unforgettable feeling.

Greg and Emma walking together toward the Dragons' Den set before their pitch
The walk to the Den, nerves high, but Emma right there beside me.
Side-angle photo of Greg and Emma pitching Cornel's World terrariums to the Dragons in season 9
Side-angle view of Emma and me pitching Cornel's World terrariums to the Dragons.

The pitch itself went smoother than expected. A few verbal stumbles, but the Dragons respected my numbers.

I received two offers. One didn't make sense and was cut from the episode. The meaningful offer came from Michael Wekerle. He offered more money than I asked for at the same valuation, because he believed in my passion.

Michael Wekerle holding Cornel's World's tarantula after the pitch
Michael Wekerle getting hands-on with our tarantula after the pitch.
Greg, Emma, and a Dragons' Den production team member backstage after the season 9 pitch
After the pitch, a quick photo backstage with production.

Why the deal didn't move forward

Wekerle's team contacted me about due diligence. As a one-man operation at the time, gathering full financials and documents would have required time and cost.

I explained I would move forward only if Michael planned to be hands-on. If it was just a financial investment, I could get a bank loan.

They understood, and that was the end of it.

The pitch almost never aired

The pitch almost didn't appear online because it wasn't dramatic enough:

  • No Dragon arguments

  • No harsh takedowns

  • No failed math

  • Just a decent pitch with clean numbers

Thankfully, season 9 included web-exclusive episodes, and mine was released as the 13th web pitch on Thursday, February 5, 2015.

What it changed for us

I didn't go on the show only for a deal. I wanted exposure and maybe a mentor. Shortly after filming, things shifted at my full-time job, and Dragons' Den gave me the push and confidence to take Cornel's World full-time.

It wasn't always easy. It still isn't. But the good far outweighs the challenges.

Looking back, I'm grateful for:

  • The opportunity

  • The exposure

  • The support

  • The memories

  • And especially the journey I shared with Emma

Dragons' Den wasn't just a TV pitch. It was the turning point that helped build Cornel's World into what it is today.

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