I'm not a huge fan of Dragon's Den, but I have watched a few episodes and got interested in some presentations and reactions from the panelists-investors.
Most of the presenters are promoting a business concept or goods and some have a real talent that surfaces during the short time they have to make their pitch. It seems the organized ones get the cash and assistance while the off-the-wall people get shot down.
So that got me into thinking mode as I viewed what was probably a rerun of one episode.
What if Kevin O'Leary and crew were around in Mozart's day? Would they have invested in him? I say probably not. He was too crazy, but hey, somebody must have invested and aren't we happy they did?
Somebody gave him the wherewithal and courage to stay the course. I have no idea what kind of return on investment they might have received, but sometimes money isn't the point. Sometimes you get something better.
Occasionally you just have to take a rider on some of these crazies and then have the guts to stay the course even when it looks gloomy.
Often there is no payoff.
Nobody would invest in Van Gogh outside of his brother Theo. How sad. The poor sap never sold one painting. How could that be ? Hell, even my aunt Velma, who was a weekend landscape painter after six weeks of summer school, managed to sell one of her efforts for $25 (they liked the frame). Did that make her a better artist than Van Gogh? Their output was about the same. Fortunately the Dutch guy's works are now displayed in a huge gallery that bears his name. Aunt Velma's is on display in my basement, next to my NHL crest collection and a busted violin.
"It'll never fly Orville, let's pack it up, we've spent enough already."
If Wilbur had uttered those words, we'd be taking vacation boats to Jamaica and Germany.
"Let's give this guy Jackie Robinson $200 a month and see how it goes in Montreal," said Branch Rickey. Pretty good hunch, I would think, plus a social statement to go along with it. Can't be beat.
Somebody was willing to bet on that long shot.
Lee Strasbourg felt it was a good idea to give Marilyn Monroe acting lessons. Not a bad choice.
Four guys from Liverpool picked up a patron saint in a dirty German nightclub. He gave them the opportunity to earn a few marks while they struggled with defining and then refining their vocal harmonies and developing their unique musical sound. They were able to push the envelope because this guy heard and saw something that nobody else did. They did the homework while he paid the early bills. They didn't get much, but it was enough to move forward. They kinda did all right for awhile too.
Somebody backed a 67-year-old Â鶹´«Ã½AVern gentleman who had a private family recipe for fried chicken. He launched a new career as a colonel and a cook when most people his age had retired to rocking chairs on front stoops.
So let the Dragon's Den live on. I just love these stories of talent, pride and perseverance overcoming adversity which leads to success. And three cheers for those other crazies who kept trying, even though they never did succeed. Their stories are inspirational too, even if we don't hear everything about them. We know they're out there, doing their best and making the effort and that's a lot more than most of us.
If anyone is interested in one of Aunt Velma's Qu'Appelle Valley - Katepwa Beach landscapes, give me a call, they're on special and wait ... you won't get just one ... I'll give you two for the same price along with a Sham-Wow, a furniture lifting sliding thing and a dicer-slicer. But remember, it's a limited time offer that expires soon, so call now and avoid even more disappointment in your life.
