Fashionista soars to success

Local fashion designer Chloe Dougan secured first prize in the 2014 ‘Fly or Die’ Competition, Lisburn City Council’s adaptation of the hit BBC series Dragon’s Den, and collected £1,000 in prize money to aid the development of her business.
By The Newsroom
Published 30th Nov 2014, 18:08 BST
Fly or Die winner, clothing designer, Chloe Dougan picks up her award and £1000 prize money from competition judges; Sports Reporter Denise Watson, Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lisburn City Councils Economic Development Committee and Andrew Robinson Managing Director of Boomer Industries. Chloe won the Dragons Den style, Graduate into Business, event organised by Lisburn City Council at Lagan Valley Island. Local entrepreneurs pitched their business plans to the panel of judges for a £1000 prize.Fly or Die winner, clothing designer, Chloe Dougan picks up her award and £1000 prize money from competition judges; Sports Reporter Denise Watson, Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lisburn City Councils Economic Development Committee and Andrew Robinson Managing Director of Boomer Industries. Chloe won the Dragons Den style, Graduate into Business, event organised by Lisburn City Council at Lagan Valley Island. Local entrepreneurs pitched their business plans to the panel of judges for a £1000 prize.
Fly or Die winner, clothing designer, Chloe Dougan picks up her award and £1000 prize money from competition judges; Sports Reporter Denise Watson, Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lisburn City Councils Economic Development Committee and Andrew Robinson Managing Director of Boomer Industries. Chloe won the Dragons Den style, Graduate into Business, event organised by Lisburn City Council at Lagan Valley Island. Local entrepreneurs pitched their business plans to the panel of judges for a £1000 prize.

Chloe Dougan Designs features embroidery on leather, crushed wool and crepe fabrics to create an eclectic mix of fashion and fun for the modern woman and she is a current participant in the Graduate into Business programme.

Chloe Dougan Designs features embroidery on leather, crushed wool and crepe fabrics to create an eclectic mix of fashion and fun for the modern woman and she is a current participant in the Graduate into Business programme.

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The Graduate into Business programme is part-financed by Lisburn City Council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland and is delivered by Lisburn Enterprise Organisation.

Facing extremely stiff competition from four other finalists, Chloe wowed the judges with her creative ability and was triumphant in showcasing the potential of her business despite the tough economic climate.

Entering the ‘Dragon’s Den’ on Monday of this week each contestant faced a real life replica of the popular TV series, with three Dragons listening carefully to their business proposal, in front of an invited audience. MC for the event, Gerry Faloona, provided much needed encouragement to the contestants.

Chairman of the Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart commented: “Congratulations to Chloe who delivered a very compelling pitch and well done to all the finalists in getting through to this stage.”

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Each of the five finalists were quizzed on the workings of their business and all three Dragons; Andrew Robinson, Managing Director of Boomer Industries; Sports Journalist Denise Watson and Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of the Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee were not afraid to ask pertinent questions relating to financial viability and growth potential.

Organised as part of Lisburn City Council’s Graduate into Business Programme, the competition aims to highlight the enterprising efforts of local graduates.

Related topics:BBC