Ardboe woman is Ireland’s newest Dragon

A SUCCESSFUL businesswoman from Ardboe has been chosen to sit on a TV panel of top Irish millionaires.

Ramona Nicholas, nee Wylie, who runs successful pharmacy chain across five counties, will sit on the prestigious RTE ‘Dragons Den’ panel ahead of the new series next year.

The 35 year-old, who now lives in Donegal, is currently joint Managing Director of Cara Pharmacies, which has 14 shops throughout Ireland, including Fermanagh, Sligo and Cavan.

She will be the youngest panellist to ever sit on the show and, the only woman.

“This has just all happened so quickly but I am really looking forward to getting back in front of the camera - I feel quite comfortable with it which I must confess has surprised me,” said Ramona

“I have been told that I have an ability to communicate on screen - I must stress that those are not my words but those of the directors! I think if you just be yourself people can see that.”

She added: “I just see this as a further development in my career, an opportunity to experience new things but also an opportunity to pass on some of my own experience to budding entrepreneurs and at the end of the day hopefully create some new and sustainable jobs.”

It is not the first television role for the Ardboe native.

Earlier his year the entrepreneur swapped the glitz and glamour of business life for the Irish version of top UK series ‘The Secret Millionaire’.

The 35 year-old put herself in the shoes of a job-seeker in Ireland’s tough market.

This time she will join four other ‘Dragons’ to screen potential entrepreneurs for investment.

“There is no time better than now for young entrepreneurs to enter into business,” Ramona added.

“With the passion, that unique idea and the right pitch, to coin a phrase ‘they are just one deal away from a dream’.”

The former St Patrick’s Academy student, who lives in the seaside town of Bundoran with husband Canice and three year-old son Alex, says she is excited at the possibility of finding Ireland’s next top business person.

“I am going into this show with no preconceptions,” added the mum-of-one.

“I will have a totally open mind.”

“What I will be looking for when that person walks up those stairs is confidence, an ability to communicate ,self belief in his/hers product, an ability to work under pressure and above all, passion.”

“It was passion and a commitment to quality, customer service and value that has made Cara what it is today.”

Filming takes place for the new series in January with broadcast expected in March 2013.