Raw 02 - September 2008 - (Page 9)

levi roots RAW What has been your biggest success in your life? Well my kids of course and my five Oswald Boateng suits Do you have any regrets? I have no regrets and your knowledge grows with everything that you do. I am riding the crest of a wave right now and enjoying every minute of it. If you allowed me to take you to dinner where would we go to eat? I love Italian food and I regularly go to a restaurant just off of London Bridge called Josepi’s. They do a fantastic Sea Bass with roasted potatoes, that’s where we would go. first advice and help came from Nadia Jones who helped me obtain a £1000 grant from the GLE. Nadia coached me and I took her advice and exhibited at the World Food Market and that’s where I was spotted by the Dragons Den research team. It’s vital that young business people get a head start. What’s it like working with Peter Jones? Peter is a great guy and has taught me to make money; he is a really down to earth guy and is nothing like what he seems on Dragon’s Den. I went clay pigeon shooting with him and Jeffrey Archer recently. We speak to each other on the phone all the time and he has been there for me. During the Dragon’s Den show in which you appeared in and after you were made an offer you went to the back of the room – why? I had to speak to my grandmother, I was sweating like a pigs arse and she said go for it and slay them Dragon’s. At this point I asked him if he phoned his grandma and he replied laughing “No you fool she’s dead man, I spoke to her in spirit” - How many times did you try to get financial backing for your product before you appeared on Dragons Den? I was turned away by Barclays Bank even though I said that I was going to put Caribbean food on the map and sell 1000’s of gallons of Reggae Reggae Sauce. They said no, no, no! That’s when Nadia helped me to get a referral letter and I finally obtained £1000 grant from the GLE in 2006, which helped me to buy the labels. You know I am 50 years of age and I thank the good father for helping me and giving me the strength. Did you ever feel like giving up and what or who compelled you to continue? I never felt like giving up mainly because I managed to merge my music with my food and that’s why the first line of my song is “Put some music in your food”. You have to put your personality into your business and I’ve never been bored. Do you think that by being honest and open people respect and trust you more or less? Well I have been blessed with an opportunity and achieved overnight fame on TV and it’s not often you see a successful black man unless he is running or kicking a football. I just want to bring Caribbean food to the masses. How has your life changed since becoming famous? My kids are happy and as a parent you have to be a positive role model and also you know “I slayed the Dragons”. I have seven kids – Bernice, Zalon, Charlene, Natalie, Joanne, Danai and Tyran – Life could not be better. What are your future plans? World Domination! We are building the brand in the UK at the moment and once the brand is developed and strong I will move on to create around 15 sauces and also the ready meals market. I have never been very good with figures so my assistant Howard takes care of that warts an all! I am also about to release my new Album which is called “The Red Hot”. If you could thank just one person for the turn in your fortunes who would it be and why? Whilst I was in prison in The Isle of Sheppey in 1984 I met a Lady called Teresa who is my unsung hero. She said that she was going to help me to prepare for greatness and took me on as a special case and really helped me. I never saw her again after that but she has really turned my life around and I would like to thank her in person. She was from New Zealand and she taught me the Haka. I would really like to meet up with her and let her know that she did indeed prepare me for greatness – Thank you Teresa millionimpossible.com 9 http://www.millionimpossible.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Raw 02 - September 2008

Raw 02 - September 2008 Contents Scott English Rachael Elnaugh Colin Stroud Heidi Weir Chris Wright Million Impossible Emma Thompson

Raw 02 - September 2008

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