A Ukrainian refugee who fled her war-torn homeland with only a bag of belongings has successfully secured investment on the television show "Dragons' Den" by pitching her fashion business.
Yana Smaglo found refuge with friends in Huddersfield and established Nenya, a company that imports high-end clothing from Ukraine "with love and bravery".
During the BBC program that aired on Thursday, the 30-year-old entrepreneur reached an agreement for £80,000 in funding from investors Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett.
Explaining her motivation to the panel, she expressed a deep desire to contribute to her native country, stating, "Nenya is a distribution company showcasing premium Ukrainian products to a global audience. Our aim is to boost sales for Ukrainian businesses, contribute to the economy through taxes, and provide job opportunities for Ukrainian refugees in the UK."
When asked by investor Bartlett about her determination, she shared, "Let's say, when you lose everything you've worked for, your home, and everything else, and you have to rebuild your life, that drives you."
One of the dragons, Peter Jones, praised her emotional pitch as "heart-wrenching" and "inspiring", while Meaden complimented her products as "luxurious and beautiful".
Nenya currently collaborates with 98 wholesale partners spread across three continents, has products available in two department stores, and boasts an annual turnover of £100,000.
Several of the brands she represents initially operated in Kharkiv but were forced to move their manufacturing to the safer western region of the country due to the conflict.
In her native Ukraine, Ms. Smaglo owned a women's fashion brand, with Nenya translating to "motherland".
Reflecting on her first investment pitch experience, she remarked, "It was quite challenging, especially in English."
The BBC reached out to her and invited her to participate in the show after discovering her business, to which she responded after consulting with her peers, "I had this call and they invited me - should I accept it?. And they all said yes!"
Regarding the tense moment, she revealed, "What made me nervous was the cameras, not the people!"
Ultimately, she accepted a joint offer from Meaden and Bartlett, each investing £40,000 for a 5% stake in her business.