--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Dragons' Den' is about as close to real…" description: "\"Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.\" — Deborah Meaden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/deborah-meaden-5916_business_dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-bu_1493246.png" --- # Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you… ![“Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.” quote by Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/deborah-meaden-5916_business_dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-bu_1493246.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/deborah-meaden-5916_business_dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-bu_1493246.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/deborah-meaden-5916_business_dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-bu_1493246.png) > “Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.” [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The show portrays entrepreneurship and investment with realistic business challenges and negotiations. **In simple terms:** It shows real business deals on TV. Key Takeaway Learn from real pitches and investor feedback. Themes entrepreneurship investment reality TV Mood informative pragmatic Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - startup pitch meetings - venture capital discussions - business plan revisions Key Concepts business negotiation risk assessment market validation Questions to Reflect On - What business lesson can you apply from a pitch? - How does TV framing affect perception of risk? A Different Perspective TV dramatization may simplify complexities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Den](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/den/) [Dragons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dragons/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I was under pressure to buy flashy cars and boats but I resisted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-was-under-pressure-to-buy/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > ['Dragons' Den' and 'The Apprentice' have opened people's eyes to what they can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-paphitis/dragons-den-and-the-apprentice-have-opened-people-s-eyes-to-what-they/) [Theo Paphitis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-paphitis/) > [My biggest television weakness is 'Dragons' Den.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-parr/my-biggest-television-weakness-is-dragons-den/) [Martin Parr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-parr/) > [Having been a fan of 'Dragons' Den' since it first aired in 2005 I was absolutely delighted and proud to have the opportunity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-davies/having-been-a-fan-of-dragons-den-since-it-first-aired-in-2005-i-was/) [Sara Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-davies/) > [When you see me on TV, that's about as close to my real personality as you can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cena/when-you-see-me-on-tv-that-s-about-as-close-to-my-real-personality-as-2/) [John Cena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cena/) > [It's good to stay as close to real life as you can, and then kind of dress it up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-demille/it-s-good-to-stay-as-close-to-real-life-as-you-can-and-then-kind-of/) [Nelson DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-demille/) > [The reality in business and in 'Dragons' Den' is you win some, and you lose some.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-paphitis/the-reality-in-business-and-in-dragons-den-is-you-win-some-and-you/) [Theo Paphitis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-paphitis/) > [If you're considering coming onto 'Dragons' Den' the first thing is believe in yourself. Believe in what you're offering. The most important thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/touker-suleyman/if-you-re-considering-coming-onto-dragons-den-the-first-thing-is/) [Touker Suleyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/touker-suleyman/) > [What the entrepreneur gets on 'Dragons' Den' is direct access to people with masses of experience who can actually make quick decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-paphitis/what-the-entrepreneur-gets-on-dragons-den-is-direct-access-to-people/) [Theo Paphitis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-paphitis/) > [It is a privilege to join the panel of 'Dragons' Den' and support the next generation of U.K. entrepreneurs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/touker-suleyman/it-is-a-privilege-to-join-the-panel-of-dragons-den-and-support-the/) [Touker Suleyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/touker-suleyman/) > [If someone comes onto 'Dragons' Den' and annoys me, I'm going to tell them exactly what I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jones/if-someone-comes-onto-dragons-den-and-annoys-me-i-m-going-to-tell/) [Peter Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jones/) > [If you look at all the investments made during 'Dragons' Den,' the ratio of those that make it to those that don't is actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theo-paphitis/if-you-look-at-all-the-investments-made-during-dragons-den-the-ratio/) [Theo Paphitis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theo-paphitis/) > [“Always be careful of where you run to. When the going gets tough, take it easy and slow down, else you venture into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/always-be-careful-of-where-you-run-to-when-the-going-gets-tough-take/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [The Smithsonian should box and preserve Tim McGraw's Nashville den for a future exhibit entitled 'Early 21st Century American Man Cave.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-rodrick/the-smithsonian-should-box-and-preserve-tim-mcgraw-s-nashville-den/) [Stephen Rodrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-rodrick/) > [In the search for a new challenge I'm glad that I came across ADO Den Haag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-pardew/in-the-search-for-a-new-challenge-i-m-glad-that-i-came-across-ado-den/) [Alan Pardew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-pardew/) ## More by Deborah Meaden > [If you're looking for investment you've got to think about what the investor gets from being involved with your business. A lot of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/if-you-re-looking-for-investment-you-ve-got-to-think-about-what-the/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [I have no problem paying taxes. It doesn't bother me, because I want to live in a society that's happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-have-no-problem-paying-taxes-it-doesn-t-bother-me-because-i-want-to/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [I'm not particularly tactile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-m-not-particularly-tactile/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [Loving something doesn't make it a good investment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/loving-something-doesn-t-make-it-a-good-investment/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [People think I am a workaholic but I just love business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/people-think-i-am-a-workaholic-but-i-just-love-business/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [Nearly everybody, when they first meet me, seems to have this sense of trepidation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/nearly-everybody-when-they-first-meet-me-seems-to-have-this-sense-of/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [Business doesn't cut you any slack because of your gender. You're either good at what you do or you're not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/business-doesn-t-cut-you-any-slack-because-of-your-gender-you-re/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [I hate getting things wrong and I hate failing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-hate-getting-things-wrong-and-i-hate-failing/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [I started off in the leisure industry and now I find myself as the DIY queen - I'm not quite sure how that happened!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-started-off-in-the-leisure-industry-and-now-i-find-myself-as-the/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [It can be difficult to find investment for a new business, particularly one which is highly innovative or breaks new ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/it-can-be-difficult-to-find-investment-for-a-new-business/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [I've got a lot of laughter lines. You don't get laughter lines on your face without having a lot of fun in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-ve-got-a-lot-of-laughter-lines-you-don-t-get-laughter-lines-on-your/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [I won't get involved in businesses that I think cut across any kind of animal welfare issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-won-t-get-involved-in-businesses-that-i-think-cut-across-any-kind/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [Money is not the ultimate point, but it remains the actual measure of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/money-is-not-the-ultimate-point-but-it-remains-the-actual-measure-of/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [People who buy your product or use your service don't care how tall or short you are, or what gender you are, or your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/people-who-buy-your-product-or-use-your-service-don-t-care-how-tall/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [I feel like the luckiest person alive. I spend my life doing the stuff I love. I'm surrounded by inventive people who are full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/i-feel-like-the-luckiest-person-alive-i-spend-my-life-doing-the-stuff/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) [Explore all 100 Deborah Meaden quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) ## More Business quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. A company that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/companies-with-cultures-that-celebrate-diverse-opinions-and-encourage/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/take-some-books-and-read-that-s-an-immense-help-and-books-are-always/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [Nobody has a crystal ball, and part of evolving a business plan is to say, 'I might have said we're going left, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-kavanaugh/nobody-has-a-crystal-ball-and-part-of-evolving-a-business-plan-is-to/) [Ryan Kavanaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-kavanaugh/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-the-possible-irrelevance-of/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [“Some say the Earth is angry Because he wants no company; I say the Earth is angry Because he lives alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-k-jemisin/some-say-the-earth-is-angry-because-he-wants-no-company-i-say-the/) [N.K. Jemisin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-k-jemisin/) > [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It's not just that families can't buy a home or start a business without some savings tucked away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cooper/it-s-not-just-that-families-can-t-buy-a-home-or-start-a-business/) [Jim Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cooper/) > [I'm not into business at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-mercury/i-m-not-into-business-at-all/) [Freddie Mercury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-mercury/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Browse all 39,016 Business quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Deborah Meaden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-business-as-you-can-get-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Business" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-business-as-you-can-get-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/deborah-meaden-5916_business_dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-bu_1493246.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/deborah-meaden-5916_business_dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-bu_1493246.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/deborah-meaden-5916_business_dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-bu_1493246.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.” — Deborah Meaden", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Deborah Meaden", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Dragons' Den' is about as close...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-business-as-you-can-get-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-business-as-you-can-get-on/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```