Richmond Hill resident Marina Campagna Portnoff and business partner Sharon Green recently tried to dust off a deal at the CBC’s Dragons’ Den with their personalized cleaning service, Maid to Order. The pair asked for $55,000 for a 33 per cent share in their less than two-year-old business to help them expand.
“It was very exciting to stand in front of the Dragons,” said Portnoff.
Although the business partners went home without a deal, they got helpful advice from Boston Pizza’s CEO, Jim Treliving. Rather than looking into franchising, he recommended a different route, she said.
“We’re actually working with a few people interested in licensing our name,” said Portnoff.
The editing didn’t really reflect their experience, she said, highlighting the most sensational six minutes of their 25-minute presentation. But she felt they represented themselves well and they accomplished their other goal of getting exposure. They also managed to pick up some new clients — producers and staff from the hit TV show.
