MUM-OF-THREE SET TO ACHIEVE BUSINESS DREAMS AFTER TV APPEARANCE
In the current Dragon line-up, owner of Mood Bears, Jo Proud, becomes first Dragons’ Den contestant to accept backing from all five Dragons
Mood Bears’ teddy bears designed to provide important mental health boost for adults and children
Jo Proud's own mental health challenges led to the creation of business
A mum-of-three is seeing her business dreams turn to reality after an appearance on BBC One programme Dragons’ Den tonight.
Jo Proud (44)- who owns Mood Bears - became the first contestant to accept the backing of all five of the current line-up of Dragons - Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Sara Davies, Steven Bartlett and Touker Suleyman.
The Leicester businesswoman, who runs Mood Bears with her husband Nathan, accepted £20,000 investment in return for a combined 25% of her business.
Jo has created a collection of colourful teddy bears, each representing a different mood, in line with the moods and emotions experienced by everyone. All bears also come with an uplifting message and poem designed to help their owner cope with different emotional moments in life.
She said, “I love these bears with all of my heart. I drew the first mood bear at a time when I felt a real hopelessness about life, and I was struggling to see a way forward. When I had that one first bear made, it was the first time in months that I felt like smiling.
And since launching the business, I’ve seen the bears have a similar impact on so many people, it’s just amazing.
“To know that all five of the Dragons - all such amazing entrepreneurs - like and believe in my business just means the world to me and gives me so much confidence for the future. The impact that their collective knowledge, expertise and contacts will have on my business will be immense. I look forward to working with all of them to help the bears bring joy and hope to as many people as possible around the world.”
To find out more about Mood Bears visit https://www.moodbears.co.uk/