Jenna Meek Joins Dragons' Den as Guest Investor
Dragons' Den, the beloved BBC investment programme, is welcoming a new face to its panel. Entrepreneur Jenna Meek will appear as a guest Dragon in the upcoming episode airing on Thursday, February 26. This marks another addition to the show's recent trend of featuring guest investors, following appearances by figures like football star Gary Neville and rapper Tinie Tempah.
From Fashion Marketing to Multi-Million Pound Success
Jenna Meek hails from Bishop Auckland and studied international fashion marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her career began with prestigious roles at fashion giants Hugo Boss and Burberry, laying the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey. In 2015, she founded The Gypsy Shrine, a company specialising in body and face glitter and jewels for festival-goers, which quickly gained significant popularity.
However, in 2024, Jenna parted ways with the company, which had been rebranded as Shrine. She announced on Instagram that she was "officially no longer the owner of Shrine" but would remain involved as a consultant. She expressed excitement about the brand's future under new ownership, calling it "the end of an ERA" after what she described as the "funnest years of my life."
The Rise of Refy and Forbes Recognition
In 2020, Jenna co-founded the beauty brand Refy with influencer Jess Hunt. The brand was built on a philosophy of minimalism and efficiency in an oversaturated market. As Jenna and Jess explained on Instagram, "Refy was born from a belief that less really is more. We wanted to cut through an oversaturated, consumption-heavy beauty industry and create products that work harder, so your routine doesn’t have to."
This venture propelled Jenna to notable recognition, including being listed in Forbes’ 30 under 30 in 2022. Reports estimate her net worth at over £50 million, underscoring her significant success in the business world.
Television Experience and Dragon Persona
Jenna is no stranger to television. Her products from The Gypsy Shrine were featured on ITV's dating show Love Island in 2017, giving her early exposure to the entertainment industry. Reflecting on her Dragons' Den experience, Jenna described herself as "quite a funny Dragon" and noted her empathetic approach towards entrepreneurs.
She said, "I really resonated with the people standing in front of us because I was in their position almost eight years ago. I was empathetic towards the entrepreneurs and much more competitive with my fellow Dragons. I was still very much a Dragon, just maybe a tougher one on the panel than on the entrepreneurs! It surprised me how protective I felt over them, but it felt very true to who I am."
Dragons' Den Evolution and Schedule
The show has undergone changes recently, with regular Dragon Sara Davies stepping away to focus on her crafting company. This has opened the door for guest investors like Jenna to bring fresh perspectives to the Den. Dragons' Den continues to air on BBC One at 8pm, with the episode featuring Jenna Meek scheduled for Thursday, February 26.
