Entrepreneur and former Dragon’s Den star Rachel Elnaugh spoke to H&E North at Event UK about her plans for creating events that inspire the new wave of business minds.

Entrepreneur Rachel Elnaugh was catapulted into the limelight in 2005 when she became one of the original ‘Dragons’ on the first series of BBC’s Dragon’s Den. Having set up events and experiences brand Red Letter Days from her living room in the early 1990s, the business generated a turnover of over £100million in the years that Rachel was at the helm, earning her an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2002. Upon the company’s collapse in 2005, Rachel removed herself from the media spotlight.
She has since carved a career in public and motivational speaking. Her latest venture, Rachel Elnaugh Events, was launched in June.

You recently set up Rachel Elnaugh Events. What was the inspiration behind your move into the events industry?

After the collapse of Red Letter Days, I gained a lot of support from business coaches who have continued to advise me during the last four years. One coach who will be speaking at Wealth Wizards (a one-day event that took place in early October organised by Rachel Elnaugh Events, which featured a series of speakers on the topic of entrepreneurship and wealth management), Paul Avins, suggested I should put my speaking and mentoring work into an event format.

What does your role entail now?

It is all about me creating events for potential entrepreneurs and chairing each one. In the past I was trying to do everything at once, but now I have taken a step back and become more like the glue that holds the event process together.

What are your hopes for Rachel Elnaugh Events?

I am creating a premier brand for business minded people. Through my business events, as well as when I speak at events, I express the importance of empowerment, lifting people out of the rut they’re in and taking control again.

What have been your career highlights so far?

Winning the Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2002 is one of the biggest highlights. Also, becoming a celebrity, simply because we didn’t know then that Dragon’s Den would become a cult show. We didn’t know if it would be tucked away on a Sunday afternoon schedule, or if anyone would watch it. Being one of the original Dragons meant that the producers worked closely with us and we helped to create the format. It was my idea to put the tables to the side rather than in front of us. The original idea was to have an X Factor style set-up but I suggested it would be too confrontational for the candidates and I’m pleased that they agreed with me.

What advice would you give to those starting out in the events industry?

Sometimes, not having any knowledge of what is to come works well, so don’t try to fit in the box; instead throw the box away. This is a big opportunity for the events industry. Given the current economic crisis, businesses are crying out for a bit of razzle dazzle and events is the industry that can deliver.