Deborah Discovers Great Gaping Hole in Sock Business | Dragons’ Den

[@helpfulron]

Where are they now? The company is still around with an active social media and website. They are selling through their website, eBay, and other online platforms. Last year (2020), Josh’s business turned over £1million, three times that of 2019. Next year, he’s aiming for £2.5million.

[@karlfriedrich7758]

Woohoo! That's great to hear! He's got a great aspiration and seemed quite humble. Glad it's doing well 😊

[@mariaasplund7367]

Nice! No one has to invent the wheel to be successful in business. Give customers a good experience and they will be back :)

[@maxmckerron]

Very helpful Ron

[@StandardGoose]

Turnover doesn't tell us whether it would have been a good investment; profit does.

[@oxymoron02]

Can people PLEASE cite sources? Anyone can post words and numbers.

[@flamingmonkays]

It's always nice when, despite no investments, the dragons applaud the pitcher.

[@mustangsally5426]

Lunch time viewing, happy Christmas munching everyone 🎄

[@theoc543]

What's for today?

[@mustangsally5426]

@@theoc543 Beetroot burgers with Scotch Bonnet Sauce. Whats yours?

[@tumbles8350]

Pringles and Baileys

[@kajapraveen]

@@tumbles8350 🤣🤣

[@mlinganimatiwane]

We're closed for the year fortunately.

[@BronsonT77]

I'm surprised that the buy-one-get-one model was glossed over and only briefly mentioned. Socks are a market with little differentiation and even though he put a lot of emphasis on the socks' functionality, most people care more about the design. His social enterprise model is definitely his USP, he should have discussed why he decided to go down that route in the first place (it may have something to do with his personal story).

[@Locutus]

These pitches are usually 45-90 minutes long, edited down to a 10-15 segment. So, it may have been discussed in the pitch, but edited out for time.

[@salvagemonster3612]

It’s mute. It’s a feel good thing. Him donating cash to say the Salvation Army or whatever would go much further and reduce his costs. It’s a gimmick that means nothing. Read about the shoe company that did this. The company destroyed the local shoe makers in the third world areas he gave his shoes away. And now that company is doing half of what they were a decade ago.

[@MaxLennon]

@@salvagemonster3612 You're worried about him destroying the sock makers in the homeless community?

[@calsmyth4483]

​@@salvagemonster3612 It would only reduce his costs if he donates less money... And as Max says, given that he's said they go to UK homeless people, I hardly see how the zero local sock makers who make money selling to homeless are going to be affected!

[@SuperJohnkimani]

True

[@Jordothecat98]

“As slim as finding a matching pair on wash day”- think that might be his worst pun ever

[@magicemperor2420]

I had to stop and scrub back to that just to make sure I heard it right!

[@diannafiredal]

it's not a pun.

[@terryowings9469]

@@diannafiredal put a sock in it

[@diannafiredal]

@@terryowings9469 I see what you did there!

[@Locutus]

It's a shame that he didn't get an investment. I think he just needs mentoring more than anything else.

[@KENDYKICKSLONDON]

@@adminemails When? Yet this episode was just uploaded today?

[@Locutus]

@@KENDYKICKSLONDON It wouldn't have been uploaded today. It would have been released today. There is a delay from filming to broadcasting, to streaming on KZbin. Filming takes place over 2 weeks approximately, then it's edited, then broadcasted over months.

[@PizzaRatJC]

@@KENDYKICKSLONDON the latest season started airing a while ago and the recording happens a long time before the show even airs on tv Do you think they just record this and it's on youtube 12 minutes later? And also, this isn't even from this season, it's from a few years ago, a quick google sear h will show you this dude is making bank and still helping the homeless regardless of not having gotten an investment

[@IAmTheJayster]

@@KENDYKICKSLONDON these videos are clips from a tv show, usually 4 pitches in an hour long show, this was broadcast over a year ago

[@KENDYKICKSLONDON]

@@PizzaRatJC it's a prerecorded episode of course.

[@neilpa]

If Touker doesn't offer his offices, then clearly it's not a great business.......

[@MaxLennon]

Offices? Where?

[@neilpa]

@@MaxLennon Office space in the West End London.

[@scamchan]

Drop the buy one GIVE ONE shtick. Let the company give socks away from a percentage of profits period. Make the focus on selling affordable socks along with whatever tech he has in them.

[@jonathanmarsh5021]

Merry Christmas uploader. Don’t know where my lunches would be without you!

[@shamteddy659]

At 0.56 the moment Pizza Jones saw him come through the door, looked down at his socks and looked back up at him with sort of disgust, I knew this was gonna be good 🤌🏼

[@crazycryptoscad3907]

Fair play to this chap. If he was able to develop the lifestyle socks a bit more and get some traction, I can see someone like Under Armour buying him out

[@KENDYKICKSLONDON]

Such a good way of presenting his business 👌👌Goodluck to him and Merry Christmas to every subscriber on Dragon's Den.

[@noonegirl]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you 😊

[@KENDYKICKSLONDON]

@@noonegirl ☺️

[@djsylambert]

Merry Christmas 🎅

[@SuperJohnkimani]

Thank you and Merry Christmas

[@AdamSmith-jf8hn]

Bought socks from his website they’re great socks, honestly so glad to see this guy doing good with his business. Hope he keeps succeeding:)👍

[@personalityhighlights]

Coming to the Den showing off his socks made a lot of sense😂. Season greetings 🎊

[@barteatmyshorts8252]

🤣

[@_sivvy_3490]

Was lucky to meet Sarah in London the other day, looking forward to the new season. 😍

[@Kenny__UK]

I'm having whiskey for lunch today

[@David-ve5iq]

🥃

[@sexyhomeowner9345]

Liquid meals are the most nutritious.

[@lorreba]

whisky is better than whiskey

[@kissingfishsongs1441]

‘Work my socks off’ so many darn opportunities for Puns and word play! I hope this man did well :-)

[@ahmedzakikhan7639]

He has a very good business, but he never explained why he would reached 600k in sales. I think he got nervous. He could have gotten a deal if he had come a bit prepared, especially with numbers and projections.

[@Cypher791]

They have managed to shoe horn in their fair share of sock puns here 🧦🙄

[@Locutus]

It's great that he is offering free socks to the homeless, but until they are more profitable, I would reduce how often to give away the socks. Once the business is more sustainable and profitable, you can give a free pair away for every pair.

[@CabbageYe]

Homeless doesn't need socks they need shoes

[@Locutus]

@@CabbageYe They need food, medicine, clothing, hygiene products, etc.

[@bash547]

@@CabbageYe Homeless need homes 🏠

[@aquapony]

They need cars, boats, mansions.

[@weshouldsaveourselves6780]

@@Locutus but they dont need expensive socks. they would be happy (like me) with some good quality socks that dont cost a fortune.

[@michaellynn9763]

What does Touker mean by “big boys”? To my knowledge, the sock industry isn’t really monopolized. A tenner is pretty steep like but as long as the quality is there, “the cost per wear” is very low. In addition to a ridiculously huge pile of outlandishly bright socks, some of my expensive socks - £7 £10, have been brightening sock draw for 6 years!! Also, what happens if people don’t eat lunch, nobody watches Dragons Den?

[@10draperful]

Well maybe he means the brands like slazenger, Nike, Calvin Klein , primary etc

[@10draperful]

Everything is monopolised to some extent

[@BiggusNickus]

Was Happy Socks around at the time of airing?

[@beavis4763]

He says we wear a pair of socks for 16 hours really? I wear the same pair for 2 weeks without taking them off.

[@badboybanton]

I got a pair of these for Christmas. Really good quality!

[@Slimblue]

I must admit I only clicked on this video because in my phone notifications all I could see and read "Deborah discovers great gaping hole" . I'm in

[@paulstannard7985]

Not sure when this was aired but Bombas in the USA have been doing brilliantly with the buy one give one pair for some years.

[@michalwalks]

He should patent socks so that nobody else could make them without a license fee.

[@randomnetfiend]

You can't patent a fairly basic sock. If it had a special no slip cuff and sole maybe but plenty do that to. It's like trying to patent water. Kinda hard to say the least.

[@Locutus]

Like Miss T said, that's not possible. It's very difficult to patent clothing. You can patent the materials, or how the materials work together, but you can't patent a sock. However, you can copyright your socks, meaning no one can use the same aesthetic on your sock. So, if you have dragons on your socks, with Dragons' Den in the fire from their mouth, you can copyright the design, but not patent it. But the design has to be really unique, it can't be stripey, or just have simple patterns.

[@MaxLennon]

The people above me earnestly explaining that you can't actually patent socks have me rolling. I saw the humor, don't worry.

[@klorrigan1404]

Great advertisement for him, looks like that’s all he wanted 😂😂

[@AwesomeGingersFtw]

Does the presenter come up with the puns himself or are they written for him? One of life’s big questions 🤔

[@RockyDave]

He has a team of Punters.

[@Locutus]

Evan just reads a script that's given to him.

[@ProGear360]

"You have no money and for that reason you won't get mine, I'm out."

[@RockyDave]

Top comment

[@HarleyInDamn]

I literally bought six pairs of these socks for Christmas this year

[@shaunohagan1491]

your mean Legit not literal

[@HarleyInDamn]

@@shaunohagan1491 no I mean literally

[@NbSkaz]

I wish him all the best of luck, especially the charity aspect. But a side note: the guy reminds me of both Jimmy Carr and Benny D Cumberswatch at the same time.

[@jedross2136]

With a dash of Edward Norton.

[@hannahpapillon584]

I can't stop watching these!

[@PJ-uc4ml]

Happy Christmas to all the in dragons den and happy new year

[@user-lq5bh7qo3m]

Jenny is investing in as many startups now as when she was on Dragon's Den.

[@cuttlefisch]

Why does everyone SOCK in to Jenny on the DD videos?

[@dommidavros2211]

I think the narrator needs to put a "sock" in it!!! Hahaha 😆 see what I did there??🤣🤣

[@pippipster6767]

Just thought of a brilliant name for a sock company: Safe Socks 🤣

[@NuttyJun]

I’ll do you one better: “Sock Me Off”

[@Narrowcros]

Why is Deborah so intimated by tuka 🤣🤣 always instructing him

[@expertexcavatinginc]

Touker

[@Khonnell66]

Tewcar

[@MaxLennon]

@@Khonnell66 two car

[@marcp3788]

Tucker

[@Khonnell66]

Tuco Salamanca = Touker Suleman?

[@gideonMorrison]

8:33 'how am I going to reroute this fart'

[@terranceparsons5185]

Dragons they may be, but they have no idea about how VAT works. Why does Deborah keep correcting his sales figures to add VAT for example. As any half competent business person knows, you collect VAT for the government and its not part of your revenue!

[@ianclarke2972]

I away thought that Peter sock are slightly boring.. that's three stripe for me.. haha

[@theliamcooke]

Its too expensive, ,if he could get them down to £5-7 it would be a viable business

[@vaibhav3946]

for that he need to give up that buy one and donate one thing...lets make it buy 5 and give away 1 at initial stage and then make it buy 10bucks socks and give away cheapest one to homeless person.

[@SkyelarEagle]

I bought socks for a dollar

[@sociallyineptclownprincech8731]

We need to crowdfund some help for the narrator. The sheer amount of puns he has had to do over the years would cause mental damage to anyone

[@Harry3609]

not me reading the title thinking im on another site

[@AspieADog]

Is this another Quiet Rebellion? 🤔

[@MikeStarKaraokeUK]

Merry christmas 🎄Dragons 🐉

[@xenabellebeest]

Is Josh up for adoption? He's such a sweetheart.

[@i.canalista7718]

I'm sure I've watched this. Please bring on new content

[@wintermute8315]

Brand new content goes on television, supported by ads. It doesn't go up on the internet for free. Complaining about this free content you're getting is idiotic.

[@Locutus]

@@wintermute8315 The BBC doesn't show ads on TV, or iPlayer, in the UK. Although, it does promote its own shows a lot.

[@i.canalista7718]

@@wintermute8315 its good to always investigate and not be small minded and jump to conclusions. I don't live in the UK this is why I said what I did.

[@i.canalista7718]

@@Farquad76.547 sharks tank always bring new content. It's a question of bringing on new contents not the garbage you are talking about.

[@r.o.b]

He should have told them in the den how much he'd work his socks off

[@terryowings9469]

oh ..put a sock in it

[@ooginator12]

Anyone used these socks? Seem expensive at £13 a pair

[@Locutus]

They are definitely expensive. At that price, I would expect at least 4 pairs.

[@petenova]

Yeah, but he clearly demonstrated that you don't need to wear shoes when you buy his socks.. $$

[@leodesiatnykov4031]

@@petenova that could be a great idea: to combine shoes and socks...would simplify putting them on and taking out :)

[@petenova]

@@leodesiatnykov4031 when you combine shoe & sock you get sh-ock 🙂

[@gee3883]

I think the script writer needs to put a sock in it.

[@oxymoron02]

This is one of the very few pitches where the dragons actually seemed frustrated that they couldn't invest*. Every one of them lauded him as an entrepreneur, and even complimented Stand 4 Socks, but there just weren't enough factors to really convince them that it was worth the time and money. *Thanks to Dren for the heads up, even if it took me some five hours to spot!

[@Drenwickification]

Invest* I was confused when I read your first sentence 😂

[@aartadventure]

@@Drenwickification Even with infinite empty office space, Touker is frustratingly unable to exist anywhere.

[@bash547]

If they couldn’t exist, is this a dream? 🤔

[@devonbron13]

Touker to the socks: YA BASIC

[@oscarsands1237]

I wonder where those shelves were bought from

[@EatCarbs]

Funny that they said $10 was a lot of money for sucks. I am wearing Darn Tough socks that were $25 a pair.

[@roberthutchins4297]

Is that Ethiopian $ ?

[@EatCarbs]

@@roberthutchins4297 American money

[@thefonzkiss]

Ten pounds.

[@gideonMorrison]

Weird carreer move by Edward Norton

[@BenjaminGoose]

I thought it was universally agreed that socks are the worst gift idea.

[@leodesalis5915]

And yet you still get a pair each year, it's huge Christmas business 😂

[@mariaasplund7367]

It's up there in the international treaties I believe. Thou shall not gift anyone you care for socks for X-mas.

[@johnshite4656]

Socks usually aren't as bad as books.

[@d.b.coopers.strongest.soldier]

Not me,, I’m always happy for some new socks

[@dontpanic7153]

@@mariaasplund7367 Yes but just think about how many family members you have to buy presents for that you don't care for. Adds up to alot of socks.

[@Justiceforinnocents]

This concept already exists, it was presented on shark tank and its called bombas socks. Its the most successful buisness turning over 300m a year

[@kellingtonlink956]

Two things... first, the homeless don’t need designer Yoga lifestyle socks... they simply need warm socks. Second, the profits should go to the investors. And let them give the money (profit) to whichever charity they individually choose. I like the product, not the business model. Thanks for the video.

[@NuttyJun]

Hector on Dragon’s Den: DE BOSS CAN SOCK MEH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@sanjanewmoonlife]

I'm going to Dragon's Den with my 10 inventions, and I have more. I will go my plan is 2024year.

[@habisinya]

Post more videos dragons

[@SoSo-li6dn]

Its true that homeless people desire new socks more than anything.

[@thefonzkiss]

Pink polka dots aren’t slimming.

[@Fush1234]

He amazes me. He is gods expert to everything. From dung to clouds. He’s an expert.

[@DeepakOjha]

Peter Jones should've invested 🎄

[@JJ-vn8xh]

This is a copy of the bombas brand in the US, who do the same thing (and worth a ton). I’d back this just for that aspect alone.

[@Microgen86]

Jenny: I was busy with my strapping lads during this episode. Therefore, im out

[@harrymartin684]

Nice to see Jimmy Carr branching out

[@Manic3DF]

£10 a pair?! I get five pairs for £2.50, yes they are plain black, but they do the job and are of a decent quality...

[@carolinesconcertvids860]

Same lol

[@lyonhartgaming9208]

Oh great. Now the guests are making puns as well.

[@Staplegunner]

The term ”gaping hole” should be removed from everyones vocabulary. At least on KZbin. Plus the word “sOCK”.

[@leodesiatnykov4031]

a quid for a pair of a good socks in North East and no need for a delivery man. It would be much more interesting producing custom socks with this model.

[@tomashstephens3011]

I don't know if it's just me but I never wear socks

[@thenerdytiger9306]

£10 for ONE PAIR of socks??? That is a rip off Edit even with the donated pair you can get a pack of 5 good quality pairs of socks for less than that.

[@jamieshannon9809]

@The Nerdy Tiger Please explain in further as to why it is a rip off?

[@thenerdytiger9306]

@@jamieshannon9809 considering that I can buy a pack of 5 pairs for £6.

[@jamieshannon9809]

@@thenerdytiger9306 Wow what an argument you have put forward!

[@abemcg3803]

Bruh the title, just why?😭

[@shanemcvetis5309]

I'm sorry socks are socks. If I wanna wear socks for running and socks for down the pub or socks for round the house I'll just wear what ever socks I pull out my draw .they all do the same cover my foot and make them feel warm.reqdy for my shoes/trainers .always gets me when someone comes on here with socks

[@ianoian1]

A good pitch and definitely socked it to 'em and didn't put his foot in it, init? But . . . he gave it to 'em lock, sock and barrel but I don't think his company will be on the New York Sock Exchange anytime soon!!😫!!

[@Bimbus225]

Great Gaping Dragon Hole

[@8-bitsteve500]

£10 for a pair of socks.. Get lost, what a rip off.

[@StandardGoose]

I get annoyed at socks being three pairs for £7 in Tesco, let alone paying a tenner a pair.

[@johnshite4656]

I haven't bought socks in years.

[@lindaliriel]

you are also donating a pair of shoes to a homeless person, that's part of why they are so expensive. Some people are happy to pay extra coin to make the world a little better, even if just for one person. I'd buy them.

[@8-bitsteve500]

@@lindaliriel I do really like that but still a tenner? seems a bit much but then I'm the guy who buys three pairs for £1 in the poundshop. lol

[@lindaliriel]

@@8-bitsteve500 different priorities. I don't buy fast fashion (i.e. 1 euro socks) because they always rely on human exploitation to inhumane levels. This sadly can also happen with big brands, so ethical consumers have to be careful. I noticed their packaging can also be home composted, and they use bamboo as a fabric option which is more sustainable. This stuff is more expensive, but the more people make that choice, the cheaper it will become in time.

[@Alan157]

He should have gone to Socon

[@erepsekahs]

You and I know that when he walked through those doors and into the den, they were all thinking, 'Oh-oh, we know what's afoot here.' A drawback in his marketing strategy is that as a potential customer one might be thinking..."Homeless people are wearing the same socks as I have on...and they got them for free!"

[@mrbabajidee3133]

Errr right👍🏽

[@bobbyg2078]

Loves a cheeky gaping hole 😍🥰💃🍷#WAP#squidgame

[@d.b.coopers.strongest.soldier]

Girl what 😭😭😭😭 these r just words. WORDS

[@gamewithadam7235]

To be fair, it's a huge gape.

[@BachTantra]

Bombas socks 🧦 do a similar business model in the USA 🇺🇸

[@zainnnzy]

Is the host Tommy Pickles?

[@KTMGUNNER]

Edward Norton selling socks ;)

[@RDVL1234]

The look Peter gave when he entered the Den 😂 Da faq 😂😂

[@derrickjohn3684]

Peter Jones got inspired ...

[@JoshxIZ]

But a sock business must be tough

[@Robert-Downey-Syndrome]

I wish the narrator would put a sock in it.

[@dollydiddums7889]

A pair of socks with no holes wouldn't be able to go onto our feet , think about it 🤔 Oh , and please STOP using the homeless as a sales gimmick ! Happy new year 😅😅😅

[@jrbs]

I like this business. The market is flooded with crap socks. Pity they didn't invest!

[@johnrambo7072]

Oh Sarah I've got enough to get you over the line

[@CaptainMarmite]

A sock is a sock….lets not think they can be anymore than that. Ten quid a pair !! More money than sense will be a huge factor in sales.

[@DiyEcoProjects]

Hmm... perhaps youtube videos and selling the "purpose" might do him well. Or getting corp logos on them like racing cars, boat shows, golfing clubs

[@rainbowcrak]

beef chilli and potatoes

[@Phil-RS]

Wash day tomorrow, nothing clean right??

[@leenobody3249]

Me..does the sock fit and stay up and is warm n cheap? Yes? I will take them.

[@b-dogs1038]

sooo there just socks right..?