Pitching her products on Dragons’ Den a dream come true for Black Harbour Distillery founder

Jaime Landry, founder of Black Harbour Distillery, makes her pitch on an episode of Dragons’ Den that aired on Thursday evening. Photo by ContributedArticle contentJaime Landry’s appearance on Dragons’ Den was a dream come true for the founder of Black Harbour Distillery.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“I was excited to turn a childhood dream into reality,” said Landry on Friday. “I used to force my sister and my best friend to play Dragons’ Den with me, so it was crazy to be there.”Article contentArticle contentThe Dragons’ Den episode that aired on Thursday night highlighted Black Harbour’s rise from small-batch beginnings to becoming an award-winning craft spirits producer.Article contentArticle contentLandry was 18 years old when she founded Black Harbour Distillery in 2018. The idea was conceived for a business project in her freshman year at Dalhousie University.Article contentLandry, now 25, said it was surreal to walk into the Den with Dragons Manjit Minhas, Brian Scudamore, Michele Romanow, Arlene Dickinson, Wes Hall and Drew Scott.Article content“I had this vision in my head from watching it for so many years of what I thought it was going to be like,” she said. “But, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for walking out, the shiny black floor, all the lights and all six of the Dragons sitting on the chairs. It’s a memory I don’t ever want to forget.”Article contentLandry, who asked the Dragons for $500,000 for a 33 per cent share of her company, regaled the potential investors with her family history. She told them her great-grandfather was a moonshiner and her grandfather was a rum-runner and that distilling was ‘in her blood.’Article contentArticle contentShe touted two of Black Harbour’s more popular products, Lobster and Moon Mist vodka, as honoured Maritime flavours.Article contentBlack Harbour Distillery, located in Hubbards, has become a thriving business for Landry. The distillery highlights the process of slow charcoal filtering, refining and polishing spirits and features a hospitality room.Article contentArticle content Jaime Landry, founder of Black Harbour Distillery in Hubbards, makes her pitch on an episode of Dragons’ Den that aired on Thursday night. Photo by ContributedArticle contentArticle contentWALKING INTO THE DENArticle contentLandry said she was with the Dragons for an hour in the episode taped on May 11, but only seven minutes were shown in the broadcast that aired on Thursday evening.Article content“I was very surprised and overwhelmed that it wasn’t a yes, no deal,” she said. “It was a really cool environment. They really wanted to hear the story, look at the labels and hear more about it, not just numbers, but the inspiration behind the brand. I was surprised by that and I really enjoyed it.Article content“They provided a lot of positive feedback on how to continue to grow my business. The advice and tips they gave me to continue to move forward were invaluable.”