P.E.I. entrepreneur Roger O’Neil captures the interest of investors during a taping of CBC’s Dragons’ Den. The show featuring a pitch by the Island company will be aired Wednesday at 8 p.m. Submitted photo
WOOD ISLANDS — A P.E.I. company will shell the Dragons’ Den this week to stimulate investment in an operation that even Homer Simpson could appreciate.
Roger O’Neil and Bob Miller, from the southeastern region of the province, have been working on a project to turn shellfish waste into profit.
They both hope the appearance on the popular CBC television program will help kick-start Ocean Organics. They appear on the show Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m.
“We can’t divulge what will happen but it’s been an interesting project,” says Bob Miller, spokesman for the operation researched and developed by O’Neil.
The business plan focuses on viewing shellfish waste as a resource and not a waste product. O’Neil says shellfish bodies (lobster for instance) are filled with beneficial components that can be used in the bioscience industries such as nutriceuticals and pharmaceuticals, not to mention the incredible organic compounds available as fertilizer.
Miller and O’Neil based their business plan of profitability on 10,000 tonnes of shellfish waste — the same created every year on the Island. Ironically, the P.E.I. government, which spends up to $400,000 a year trying to police shellfish waste, has shown little interest in the company which claims shell waste — if nothing else — could be turned into 100 per cent organic fertilizer.
“We call it a green, green, green project,” said Miller. “The (seafood) processors win because they have a way to get rid of waste, the government wins because we create employment and protect the environment, and the investor wins because there is high demand for the end product.”
O’Neil has been to China on two occasions working with sources there to build a business.
“Roger is the mastermind,” said Miller. “I’m just the mouth.”
Chitin, one of the compounds found in dried shellfish waste, is currently used in field dressings by military forces in Iraq because it stops the bleeding within a minute.
Dragons’ Den received about 4,000 pitches for this season’s shows and culled the list to about 70 entries.
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Chelle' .B from PEI & NS writes: The Dragon'sDn is a tough crowd of shrewed business invesrtors.
The Product your Promoting is unique to the Place ing of this Product. The Price, I pressume is reasonale.
Go Get them Dragon's with your well thought out Promotion of your Business Plan presentation
The 4 P's of Marketing; PRODUCT, PRICE, PLACE And PROMOTION
(Do a google or aol or ask.com search to learn about the 4 P's of Markting.)
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RG from PEI writes: Sounds like a decent idea, but as with anybody that goes on the show, a lot of times it has less to do with the idea and more to do with the valuation of the company.
I also think there'll be less of a market in the central states(where there's less seafood) so the Dragon's might not be interested.
If they're not looking for too much of an investment, they might still get somebody on board though.
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gi from charlottetown writes: I think you were looking for the word shill in your first sentence? Shell makes no sense..... look it up.
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Charley from PEI writes: Sad isn't it !!! The Gov't ONLY has time for people who wear RED. This is definitely too logical for the Gov't to get involved in. They would sooner spend $ 000's on moving a liquor store in Statford because of color !!!
Wake up people, its' time to manage PEI & forget the color issue !!!
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Wayne Phelan from PEI writes: Good Luck! Sounds like a unique, Outside-the-box idea. Look forward to seeing how it turns out.
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Mala from Nova Scotia writes: Good luck on your endeavour into the Dragons Den. But go well prepared with all pertinent sales and $$ info and be firm, concise, and professional. So many fail by being soft and wish-washy in their presentation. This is a great idea.
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Johnnystorm from PE writes: Bob Miller will be more than a match for the Dragons. I expect this will be great entertainment. Good luck Bob and Roger.
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Islander from PEI writes: I dear say that the dragons won't know what hit them after Bob and Roger get threw with them.LOL
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city resident from P.E. writes: Hopefully they better than Paul Schmidt did with his buy a square inch on P.E.I. idea. Although he had the dragons laughing with the Anne hair and hats.......
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Willie from Heatherdale, PE writes: Its a great idea especially with Roger and Bob in the picture...it makes sense too...Best of luck to the both of you... :)
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Ange O'Neill from Calgary, Alberta writes: Hey Rog, remember you carry the blood of the best horse trader on PEI...lol...you can do it!!! Good luck, Bob...I believe in you both..
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