Gravelbourg Mustard owner Val Michaud followed one of her dreams, and faced the 鈥渄ragons鈥� on CBC鈥檚 Dragons鈥� Den, which was aired on December 7.
鈥淚t was very overwhelming, but it was something that I always wanted to do and felt that I needed to do. It was one of my 鈥楤ucket List鈥� items,鈥� said Michaud. 鈥淚t was an amazing feeling to be there, and I felt that the experience was rewarding.鈥�
Michaud walked into the den with a $100,000 ask in exchange for a quarter of her business, and offered the 鈥渄ragons鈥� 鈥� a group of businesspeople who decide whether or not to invest in a pitch 鈥� a literal taste of her business, from appetizers featuring mustard to mustard martinis.
She feels that people don鈥檛 realize the diversity of uses for mustard, which can be delivered with a Cajun sizzle or a sweet saskatoon-berry flavour, and can be used in anything from salad dressings to appetizers and drinks. 鈥淭o me, mustard鈥檚 an essential thing in the kitchen,鈥� she said.
In her pitch to Dragons鈥� Den鈥檚 panel of six Canadian entrepreneurs, Michaud explained she is the sole owner and employee of Gravelbourg Mustard, and would use the money to help with packaging and distributing her product.
She told the potential investors she hopes to grow from $90,000 in sales last year to $200,000 next year, and to expand the reach of her product, which is currently only available in Western Canada.
Two of the other dragons, Michael Wekerle and Michele Romanow, were the first to bite, offering Michaud $100,000 for a 50 per cent share in her company.
However, Manjit Minhas countered with the same $100,000 offer for 45 per cent of the company, allowing Michaud to keep a majority share. Michaud felt that having a seasoned businessperson like Minhas behind her will provide the experience and insight necessary to take Gravelbourg Mustard to the next level.
鈥淚 am that passionate about the product we have here in Saskatchewan and in my company. Especially since a lot of mustard is produced right here in Saskatchewan, this experience was a good way to further promote the province,鈥� said Michaud.
