--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I…" description: "\"When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I was under pressure to buy flashy cars and boats but I resisted.\" — Deborah Meaden" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/deborah-meaden-5916_den_when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-wa_2473359.png" --- # When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I was under… ![“When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I was under pressure to buy flashy cars and boats but I resisted.” quote by Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/deborah-meaden-5916_den_when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-wa_2473359.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/deborah-meaden-5916_den_when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-wa_2473359.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/deborah-meaden-5916_den_when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-wa_2473359.png) > “When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I was under pressure to buy flashy cars and boats but I resisted.” [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. Resisting pressure to flaunt wealth in a high‑status environment shows personal integrity and focus on values over image. **In simple terms:** She chose integrity over flashy displays. Key Takeaway Stay true to your principles. Themes integrity peer pressure values Mood inspirational thoughtful Type personal ethical When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - media appearances - social expectations Key Concepts personal branding financial humility Questions to Reflect On - What strategies help maintain authenticity? - How can you influence others to value substance over status? A Different Perspective Pressure to conform can be intense in public roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boats Resisted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boats-resisted-783622/) [Den](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/den/) [Den Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/den-pressure-783623/) [Dragons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dragons/) [Dragons Den](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dragons-den-484946/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Resisted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resisted/) [Started](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started/) [Started Dragons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/started-dragons-783621/) ## Related quotes > [Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-business-as-you-can-get-on/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [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/) > ['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/) > [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/) > [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'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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [An idyllic period of my existence was when I had a den attached to my home... a writing den, and no one had access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/an-idyllic-period-of-my-existence-was-when-i-had-a-den-attached-to-my/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [My office doubles as a karaoke den for the neighborhood. There are strobe lights and Rock Band plastic guitars, a disco ball and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-kinney/my-office-doubles-as-a-karaoke-den-for-the-neighborhood-there-are/) [Jeff Kinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-kinney/) > [“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/) > [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 Den quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [Dragons' Den' is about as close to real business as you can get on television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/dragons-den-is-about-as-close-to-real-business-as-you-can-get-on/) [Deborah Meaden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-meaden/) > [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/) > ['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 office doubles as a karaoke den for the neighborhood. There are strobe lights and Rock Band plastic guitars, a disco ball and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-kinney/my-office-doubles-as-a-karaoke-den-for-the-neighborhood-there-are/) [Jeff Kinney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-kinney/) > [An idyllic period of my existence was when I had a den attached to my home... a writing den, and no one had access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/an-idyllic-period-of-my-existence-was-when-i-had-a-den-attached-to-my/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [New York is really the place to be; to go to New York, you're going to the center of the world, the lion's den.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zubin-mehta/new-york-is-really-the-place-to-be-to-go-to-new-york-you-re-going-to/) [Zubin Mehta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zubin-mehta/) > [I went through quite a few establishments that maybe weren't great for myself - security units, youth-offender places. I guess that was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/king-krule/i-went-through-quite-a-few-establishments-that-maybe-weren-t-great/) [King Krule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/king-krule/) > [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/) > [I'm very excited about having the Internet in my den.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/i-m-very-excited-about-having-the-internet-in-my-den/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [I was born in Den Bosch, where the painter Hieronymus Bosch named himself after. And so I've always been very fond of this painter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/i-was-born-in-den-bosch-where-the-painter-hieronymus-bosch-named/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [I like 'Dragon's Den' and 'White Lotus.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/i-like-dragon-s-den-and-white-lotus/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) [Browse all 15 Den quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/den/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I was under pressure to buy flashy cars and boats but I resisted.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Deborah Meaden" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-was-under-pressure-to-buy/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Den" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-was-under-pressure-to-buy/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/deborah-meaden-5916_den_when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-wa_2473359.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/deborah-meaden-5916_den_when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-wa_2473359.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/923/deborah-meaden-5916_den_when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-wa_2473359.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I first started on 'Dragons' Den,' I was under pressure to buy flashy cars and boats but I resisted.” — 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": "When I first started on 'Dragons'...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-was-under-pressure-to-buy/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-meaden/when-i-first-started-on-dragons-den-i-was-under-pressure-to-buy/#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 } } ] } ```