Pictured: Jacqui Thompson

Intrepid Jacqui Thompson has told how she was assailed by a "stomach full of butterflies" when she stepped-up to pitch for business investment from BBC TV's "Dragons."

Jacqui, who runs PULSE Education& Business Services - and who appeared on Monday's (12th September) episode of Dragons' Den, put herself through the nerve-wracking experience after being asked by the programme makers if she was currently looking for investment and if she had ever considered applying to Dragons' Den in order to secure additional funding. 

Today, Jacqui, from Cranwell admitted that, trying to persuade Hilary Devey, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Theo Paphitis and Duncan Bannatyne to invest in her business had been both a fascinating and nail biting exercise. 

Busy Jacqui is constantly in demand to take her exciting Forensic Crime Scene Workshops into schools (in her home county and beyond). The schools also have the option of having a CEOP (The Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre) session, which educates young people how to stay safe whilst online. 

More recently, she has begun to complement her sessions by retailing a small range of merchandise online. Companies are finding they are perfect for teambuilding days with a CSI twist and are also booking Jacqui's Forensic Science Workshops. 

"I received a call from a BBC Researcher from Dragons' Den who asked me if I had ever considered applying to the programme in order to secure an investment for my business" said Jacqui.  

Jacqui continues, ''I hadn't approached the programme before, because I wasn't sure the Dragons' would be interested in something which is workshop-based as oppose to a product, however, the BBC Researcher was extremely positive and encouraging and said my business sounded different and quirky." 

Soon after, Jacqui found herself making a formal application to the show, which was swiftly followed by a call to audition in Manchester in March this year, where she was asked all about herself and business venture, this was then followed a few months later in June of this year by an invitation to attend Pinewood Studios near London, for actual filming for Series 9 in front of the Dragons!

"You have to be at the studios for a 7.30am start and there's no guarantee that you will actually be filmed that day, but luckily I was. Pre-filming procedures included piling on the make-up and checking that my PULSE T-shirt wasn't emblazoned with blatant advertising," said Jacqui. 

"Pitching to the Dragons is a scary experience. You only have a short time in which to pitch, you are surrounded by a big film and production crew and the BBC production staff had also advised me to be aware that the Dragons' may not go along with what I had planned as part of my pitch, so it was a case of go with the flow", said Jacqui. 

"I made sure with the production team at the BBC that a mock crime scene was set up correctly prior to my pitch, however, what I intended saying on the day went completely out of my head. 

"Unfortunately, faced with 5 Dragons, I really did let my nerves get to me.  All I can remember is telling them that the core of my business is delivering engaging, 'hands-on', Forensic Science Workshops into Primary & Secondary Schools throughout the country, with the aim of encouraging young people to get excited about STEM (Science Technology Engineering Maths) careers, particularly within the world of science."

Jacqui asked for an investment of £50,000, in exchange for a 15 per cent stake in her business. She was particularly hoping to attract the support of Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones. 

"Despite, unusually, being a little lost for words, I thought it was absolutely fantastic when all five dragons snapped-up my invitation to take a closer look at the crime scene incident which had "occurred" in the Den," said Jacqui. 

"Three of the Dragons each donned a White SOCO Suit, equipped with gloves and masks, and took a closer look at the props which I used, including a Size 14 footprint casting! 

"All of the dragons really got into the spirit of the mini production. Indeed, there was lots of banter and finger pointing towards Peter Jones, as being a potential suspect! The CSI Dragons also had a mini fingerprinting taster-session, using authentic equipment," said Jacqui. 

However, when it came to the crunch - all five Dragons declared, "I'm out!"

"The subsequent positive feedback revealed that some of the Dragons considered that I had a worthy small business, which didn't need or require their investment", added Jacqui. 

"What matters most to me is not the fact that I didn't achieve the financial backing, but that I was given the opportunity to go through the Dragons' Den experience. I can now certainly share this whole unique experience with schools around the country, hopefully encouraging their students to be more enterprising, to follow their dreams and, of course, to occasionally take risks when opportunities like this come along.

"More importantly, I will urge them not to give up at the first hurdle, no matter how scary something feels at the time! If I hadn't experienced this I would have never have known my own capabilities. Personally, the whole process has been extremely cathartic," said Jacqui

"In a nutshell, Dragons' Den has made me analyse my company more closely. It has also afforded me the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience, making them aware of my Educational workshops. I have absolutely no regrets in taking part in this programme, it has been a fantastic experience and I am very grateful to have been given this once in a life-time opportunity." states Jacqui. 

For more information about Pulse, please visit their website here: www.fingeronthepulse.biz