Sara Davies Opens Up About Life After Dragons' Den and Strictly Transformation
Entrepreneur Sara Davies has spoken candidly about how her experience on Strictly Come Dancing fundamentally changed her approach to business and vulnerability, while revealing the heartfelt reasons behind her departure from Dragons' Den last year.
The Emotional Decision to Leave Dragons' Den
Davies, who stepped back from the BBC investment show after six years, described the move as "devastating" in a recent interview with Woman & Home magazine. "Stepping back from Dragons' Den was so sad," the 41-year-old confessed. "After six years, it's part of my identity and who I am."
The decision came following her and husband Simon's repurchase of her company Crafter's Companion. Davies explained her husband's analogy: "Simon said, 'You can't keep adding more things at the top of the funnel and not expect something to drop out the bottom.' Something had to give and I didn't want my boys to have to pay the price."
How Strictly Come Dancing Changed Everything
It was her 2021 stint on Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, that proved truly transformative. Davies revealed: "Strictly taught me to be vulnerable. I used to believe I had to dress and act a certain way in business, and that showing emotion was a sign of weakness."
She admitted maintaining "that wall up" initially during the competition before realising she needed to embrace change. "I started feeling comfortable being vulnerable in front of him [Aljaž], then in front of the camera crew in rehearsals, and then on Saturday night," she shared.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
This personal transformation helped Davies conquer debilitating imposter syndrome that had plagued her early Dragons' Den days. While she "suffered badly" initially, questioning "Why would any entrepreneur choose me over these other four amazing Dragons?", by her final series she had developed genuine confidence.
"I thought, 'I'm a bloody good Dragon. Any entrepreneur would be lucky to pick me,'" Davies stated, marking a significant shift in her self-perception.
Private Vulnerabilities and Personal Growth
Despite embracing vulnerability professionally, Davies admitted she still struggles to show emotion to her husband of 27 years. "Last week, after a stressful day, emotions were running high. In bed, I was reading and I waited for Simon to fall asleep before I let the tears fall," she revealed.
"I run at 100 miles an hour and he comes along with a sweeping brush behind. He doesn’t need me being emotional on top, so I deal with that on my own."
Embracing Health and Self-Acceptance
The mother-of-two has also made peace with her body following health warnings about pre-diabetes. "I've learnt to love my body and how to make myself look and feel good," Davies said, crediting strength training and running for helping her feel physically and mentally stronger.
Davies' journey from business mogul to Strictly contestant and back again illustrates a profound personal evolution, demonstrating how embracing vulnerability can transform both professional confidence and personal wellbeing.
