p12 BIG IDEA sep12 9/9/08 18:50 Page 12
news ttg’s the big idea
ttglive.com
Big Idea investors say ‘I
do’ to wedding plan duo
Helen Doyle and Danny Waine scoop £100,000 investment from travel backers. By Lucy Huxley
THE WINNERS of TTG’s The Big Idea competition
VIDEO
are weddings and honeymoons specialists Helen W
a
tch clips
Doyle and Danny Waine.
on t
tgliv
The duo had been about to apply for the BBC’s
e
Dragons’ Den – until they saw TTG had lined up
four investors to offer a £100,000 investment.
Helen, who owns a shop near Lichfield, and its
marketing director Danny Waine will invest the
money in a niche weddings and honeymoons
tour operation, Perfect Weddings Abroad, that
will sell through agents and direct. It will offer
full packages and wedding-only options.
The £100,000 prize will pay for a glossy
brochure, training roadshows for agents, office
expansion, search engine optimisation and
attendance at wedding shows.
Helen said: “Entering The Big Idea made us
think so much bigger than before.”
Danny and Helen spent a weekend practising
the pitch. “We didn’t see any daylight, but the
whole experience made it all worthwhile,” he said.
The investors voted unanimously to back the
pair. On Holiday Group chief executive Steve
Endacott said: “We were impressed that they were
willing to put in some hard graft to make this work.
“We think this is a great business plan that will
make them, and us, substantial returns.” Helen Doyle and Danny Waine pitch to investors (inset) Steve Endacott, Simon Powell, David Speakman and Terry Fisher
The other finalists
Canbedone. Investors were impressed by Philip
and his daughter Helen’s indepth knowledge, prop-
Adam Lilley: Adam wanted to set up a social erties and client database, but were concerned the
networking specialist tour operation to Turkey business had been making a loss for 18 years.
for the singles market. The investors loved
Adam’s pitch and the research he had done. Kerry Robins: An adventure travel expert who
They also thought there was scope to harness wanted funding for her website, In Earth’s Image,
the popularity of social networking sites but felt to make it the world’s number one adventure
he lacked experience. travel booking agent and information provider.
The investors liked Adam’s idea so much lodge in Africa, Munyanga Developments, which he Investors thought the site was beautiful and
that they are going to offer him a job within offered the investors equity in as part of the deal. functional but her profit predictions were off beam.
one of their companies The investors felt Barrie’s multiple interests
across Uniglobe, disability travel and the lodge Toby Marsden: Wanted to develop the
Barrie Gotch: Barrie is business develop- would dilute his focus on the tour operation. “Expedia of golf”, allowing customers to package
ment manager for his father’s Uniglobe accommodation, golf and transport. He wanted a
franchise agency. He wanted to set up a niche Philip Scott: A former accountant, Philip wanted technology expert to help him, but the investors
tour operation called Disability Travel. to continue the work his late wife had achieved by were concerned he did not have the .com domain.
Barrie had also made a major investment in a growing her company for disabled travellers, ■ More comments at ttglive.com/thebigidea
12 12.09.2008
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96