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It's a polished pitch from the ex-drama teacher, and she even finds the time to tell the Dragons a special personal story, but will they be convinced and help her to find the happy ending she's searching for?

Julie Meyer seems interested and wants to know more about the shape of her business. The teacher enthusiastically explains there is the product range, a training business, and that she also delivers 'train the trainer' seminars with a long term aspiration towards licensing and franchising.

The entrepreneur seems to be ticking all the right boxes and Julie wants to find out what is going to be the most profitable side of the business. Julia has no doubt it will be the franchising and licensing arm of train the trainer. Profits could be built on a truly global scale as the product is based on symbols so is not restricted by any one language.

Shaf Rasul asks how she would spend the investment. The inventor clearly knows what she wants as she breaks down her investment into three and rationalises what each segment will be used for. 

With growing confidence the entrepreneur next confirms to Julie that although this is her first business she already has ideas for a second as she is planning to sell in three years time. This immediately intrigues Shaf and he wants to know how much she expects to get. A coy Julia says the best price she can get but if she hasn't achieved a million pounds she will be very disappointed.

But Shaf delves a little deeper and questions why she doesn't just raise the money she needs herself. "Don't you simply want someone else to take the risk?" he asks.

The pioneer stumbles for the first time and fails to give Shaf a straightforward answer. He challenges her claimed dynamism and resists her argument that she now needs a Dragon to take her business to the next level.

To make matters worse Julie has heard enough – in a surprise move she reveals that, without children of her own or a particular interest in education, she cannot connect with the product. As an investor she needs to be involved with things that intellectually grab her. This does not. On that basis she's out.

Shaf is now Julia's only hope and he is still not convinced she needs an investment. He demands five reasons why he should invest and, challenged, Julia makes a last bold and passionate attempt to woo the Dragon. Her reply is comprehensive and committed. Shaf is left speechless.

Overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of this gritty entrepreneur, the Scottish multimillionaire offers the full amount but wants 40% of the business, double the amount the entrepreneur was looking to give away.

But impressed by her determination, he is prepared to sweeten the deal and if she performs to the figures in her pitch he will give her 20% of the shares back at the end of Year I.

The deal done in the Den:

Shaf Rasul: £25,000 for a 40% stake in Storyshapes Ltd, dropping to 20% if the entrepreneur meets her targets.

Last updated: 31st March 2010