Dubliner Lara Goodbody is hoping to do for exercise what chef Jamie Oliver did for school dinners.
Dubliner Lara Goodbody is hoping to do for exercise what chef Jamie Oliver did for school dinners. Goodbody became the first Irishwoman to appear on the BBC Dragon’s Den programme when she pitched her business to try and secure investment money from a panel of high-profile entrepreneurs. The programme was broadcast last Thursday.
Goodbody, managing director of YogaBugs, was looking for an investment of €295,000 (stg£200,000) for a 15 per cent stake in her yoga business to fund new areas of development. She and fellow director Fenella Lindsell surprised the entrepreneurs by turning down the investment deals they were offered on the programme.
Goodbody said they were looking for too big a stake at too low a price. However, she added that the experience would undoubtedly ‘‘open more doors’’ and attract interest from other investors.
When Goodbody moved to London three years ago, she planned to continue her career as a recruitment consultant. Instead, she found herself at the helm of a yoga business aimed at children.
Goodbody said YogaBugs was seeking finance ‘‘to develop branded merchandise, multimedia and other products’’. She said that YogaBugs had already begun creating an animated character and that it was in talks with a television production company about producing an animated television series.
YogaBugs is also in talks with a publishing house and looking into licensing opportunities for toys and games.
The company also plans to franchise the teacher training model overseas, particularly in Ireland, continental Europe and the US.
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