#363: What You Didn't Know About Dragons Den, Building Vitabiotics & Investment Success Rate with Tej Lalvani

From driving forklifts in his family’s warehouse to steering a billion-pound global business and captivating audiences as a Dragon on Dragons’ Den, this week’s guest, Tej Lalvani, is the meaning of entrepreneurial grit and innovation. As CEO of Vitabiotics, the UK’s largest vitamin company, Tej has expanded the brand to over 100 countries, turning products like Wellwoman, Perfectil, and Pregnacare into household names. However it hasn’t been a straightforward journey and he even shares how, as a child, Tej moved around so much with schools that he couldn’t do basic maths - proof that early setbacks don’t define long-term success. In this episode, Tej shares his journey from moving from India to the UK and adapting to a new culture, to working alongside his father and learning the lessons that helped build Vitabiotics into a global powerhouse. He reveals the true meaning of sales, what it really takes to be an entrepreneur and his path to becoming a Dragon - including what happens after the cameras stop rolling. Tej also explores the skills every founder needs, the three things a Dragon must hear before investing and why so many people are leaving the UK for Dubai now that he spends a lot of his time here. Whether you’re building your first business or pitching for investment, this conversation is packed with insights, candid stories and practical wisdom from one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs.   3:30 Moving from India to UK 15:00 Being an entrepreneur and what sales is really about 20:48 Becoming a Dragon 31:50 What happens once you invest on Dragons Den? 40:55 Knowing your skills and what value you can bring 47:30 Vitabiotics products and the challenges with longevity medicine and treatments 54:00 Dubai vs UK - Why are people leaving the UK for Dubai 1:07:00 What 3 things does a dragon need to hear to invest 1:11:40 First thing you need to do to be an entrepreneur   Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp    Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Tej Lalvani on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/tejlalvani https://x.com/TejLalvani https://www.linkedin.com/in/tej-lalvani-b7199b7/  

Om Podcasten

Formerly the Unscripted Podcast with Spencer Lodge Join Spencer Lodge as he connects with the most fascinating personalities in Dubai. A city that rose from the desert sands to become one of the most ambitious, innovative and inspiring places on Earth. Behind its glittering skyline are people with stories just as extraordinary - pioneers, dreamers and doers who dared to turn bold visions into reality. Made in Dubai is where those stories are told. Hosted by Spencer Lodge, each episode is a front-row seat to conversations with the people shaping the UAE’s future — from business leaders and record-breakers to cultural icons and creative disruptors. But this isn’t just about their success. It’s about the journey - the risks they took, the challenges they faced and the moments that defined them. It’s about the unique magic of Dubai: a place where ambition meets opportunity, where cultures from around the world collide to create something truly special and where anything feels possible. Whether you’re an entrepreneur searching for your next big move, someone curious about life in the UAE or simply in need of inspiration, Made in Dubai is your invitation to step inside this vibrant city and meet the people who make it remarkable. If it was made in Dubai, you’ll hear it here.