The 7 Virtues and Barb Stegemann on Dragons' Den

[HackSDK]

China is WAY cheaper and SAFER!

[cherpower]

I Love this video...I remember watching it on TV and thinking how wonderful it was....I am about to order some of this for myself because I believe in the cause, I love natural oil scents and I will treasure it! I couldn't help feeling sorry for Kevin...he doesn't seem to get it. He may be a very successful business man but I think he is lacking the emotional connection which I too value. The world is a better place because of people like Barb...

[cherpower]

@cherpower ...& of course, Brett, Arlene & Jim. Bravo. Thank you, Barb! Can't wait to receive my Afghanistan Orange Blossom! I couldn't decide which fragrance to order because now you have 3 to choose from....I was torn...I'll have to try them all...one by one!

[mrider1]

Ahh Barbelicious! Congrats! See u in Feb! Percy R in vancouver!

[minnescanada]

This is an excellent idea, well done.

[iLuv204]

Wow funny how things work out. I was listening to a radio interview with Brett Wilson and the interviewer Charles Adler mentioned Brett's great website. From that I found this video. Now I know what to get my wife for Christmas. If you post replies, I'm curious as to how the business is going since the Dragons that did get on board, invested? Thanks and Be Well.

[BarbStegemann]

@iLuv204 What a lovely note. Barb here. LIfe has been amazing with Brett's wisdom and partnership. We are in all 91 Bay stores across Canada. We have three fragrances, two that support farmers in Afghanistan and one that supports farmers in Haiti. We are going to continue to shine light on countries that are rebuilding. Thank you so much. Feel free to tell your friends. It truly is a new way to create peace on earth this holiday.

[hardcorebadboy01]

KEVIN IS A ASSHOLE

[tommyclancygames]

Great work! That was awesome, good luck!

[BarbStegemann]

@tommyclancygames Thank you so much!

[dl1989]

Hi Barb, everything you're doing is incredible. Do you have any plans of making men's fragrances?

[BarbStegemann]

@dl1989 We do have a scent for men and women. We have the Vetiver of Haiti that helps our supplier to rebuild there. It's available at all 91 Bay stores. It's a very sexy fragrance. Historically, Vetiver is for men. We designed a blend that both men and women love. Perfect holiday gift!

[lavalois09]

Congratulations! Its a great idea that deserves the recognition its worth.

[BarbStegemann]

@lavalois09 Thank you so much! Please tell your friends they can find The 7 Virtues fragrance collection at all of the 91 Bay stores in Canada at the cosmetics counter. Your support means so much. We were able to buy all the oils from the farmers this year. Thank you!

[mmeischa1]

I am so impressed and inspired. All the way from the Netherlands..thank you. By the way you carry the name of a famous food producer in the Netherlands.

[BarbStegemann]

@mmeischa1 That's very cool! I did not know that. Thank you for your support!

[goldrausch23]

good job! best of luck with your company!

[BarbStegemann]

@goldrausch23 thank you for your support. Our Noble Rose of Afghanistan was named by History TV viewers for a show called name this that airs all throughout November and December.

[BarbStegemann]

Thank you my New friend from Lunenburg! Very thoughtful of you to take the time to write. We have the follow up episode air this fall. Very exciting. We launch the Vetiver of Haiti on Sept 21 in Honour of International Day of Peace.

[alexsim1946]

Hi Barb, The gang at SE Program Coquitlam are proud of you. Great presentation.

[BarbStegemann]

@alexsim1946 How lovely of you all. Please send my huge thanks and gratitude to the amazing business minds at the SE Program in Coquitlam. We are at the Bay in Coquitlam so ask for The 7 Virtues.

[catmeowlover]

I love the smell of orange blossoms...you can get orange blossoms from Arizona and help our crappy economy!! We sure need it!!

[andy77718]

Hahah, Kevin O'leary said it best... This is a purely emotional investment, she appealed to their emotions instead of their brains.

[BarbStegemann]

@andy77718 I had the wonderful opportunity to be the key note speaker opening for Kevin O'Leary this year. I got to thank him for challenging me. Sometimes we learn the most from those who challenge us. As a result I landed 91 Bay stores for our fragrance line and he and I had dinner and he suggested we be profiled on the follow up show of success! Will air this fall on Dragons Den.

[viksra]

LOL'd @ 1:45 hahahahaha

[BarbStegemann]

That is very kind of you to write. I agree with your philosophy. It works for so many of us to find meaning in our business life. Why would we do anything that does not have meaning or purpose? And to answer your question, yes we do ship internationally and have had orders online from the Netherlands. One day we will be international in shops. For now North American retail and online to anywhere is where we are at for being one year old.

[alamoghost]

@BarbStegemann Cool story with the right reasons...great job and continued success to you :)

[BarbStegemann]

@alamoghost Thank you so much for recognizing that trade with nations in strife is the way to change the world. We will launch The Vetiver of Haiti on International Day of Peace at every Bay store in Canada - Sept 21st. The vetiver we buy goes towards rebuilding Haiti. The same philosophy can be applied to other nations in strife. Thank you!

[tutirei]

Hi Barb, I wish more entrepreneurs had visions like yours, very good, by the way, even if it would be just a "deeply personal investment", I think any investment should be personal, it's not just making money which is great, there are more things that are making sense here. I am from The Netherlands and would like to ask you if you are considering to export over here, please let me know, thanks V.B.T.

[BarbStegemann]

@tutirei Lovely to hear from you! I would love to come to the Netherlands! No plans in the immediate future but one day. Indeed sales are deeply personal. That's why we ousold 115 brands this year and it helped us to buy all the oils from the farmers so they would not have to grow the illegal poppy crop. Thank you for your support.

[GrumbleBear91]

@BarbStegemann Being from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, it's awesome to see a fellow Nova Scotian become so successful from such a good cause! All the best to you in the future! It was great watching this episode. Very emotional, on so many levels.

[BarbStegemann]

Thank you for the kind words. I was scared at first, that's why I spoke so slowly when I began. But then the dragons were so interested in doing trade with nations in strife I forgot all about my fear.

[srvgravesdime]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Love your pitch, love your smile, love your idea! Hope you make billions hun.

[BarbStegemann]

@srvgravesdime Thank you! What's beautiful is everyone does ok with this model, the farmers, the suppliers, the retailers and us. There is plenty for everyone to do ok if we all work hard.

[XOSiren18XO]

Hmm, your product seems nice I will have to try it out! By the way nice presentation. :)

[BarbStegemann]

Thank you for the kind words. We are all on this mission together to build peace. I appreciate you taking the time to share. Thank you so much for reaching out. We are so grateful to be able to reach Canadians in new ways.

[DebbiesArtJournal]

BarbStegemann, Your interaction with the Dragons was very professional but also very heart felt. This is a hard combination to master by a speaker unless it is sincerely genuine. You truly shine within and and you truly shine without. I plan to visit the Bay to purchase your lovely perfume. Bless you for what you are doing.

[BarbStegemann]

@DebbiesArtJournal Thank you so much for this lovely post Debbie. Your words of encouragement and your support means so much to me. The farmers had a tough season with weather this year, but they produced some beautiful oils. It's very, very rewarding to be growing and to have Brett Wilson as a mentor and partner.

[BarbStegemann]

@pastelpinkgirly Lovely! I am so inspired by the hard working families in Afghanistan and Haiti who are doing their very best to build a better life. Thank you for joining us in this journey to show that rebuilding takes all of us.

[JacobsJaffa]

God I love Kevin! The way he obliterated their emotional response was hilarious.

[kevincolmergmail]

I would have liked to hear the words, "Yes we pay more then the opium alternative" and less of the I want to make money stuff. That being said, its still a good solution.

[BarbStegemann]

@kevincolmergmail I fully agree with you. We don't control how a clip is edited. You did not get to see 40 minutes of my presentation. It gets edited. That is TV. If you had, you would have seen what you can view on our web site or what I share in my talks and what I am happy to share with you.

[kevincolmergmail]

@BarbStegemann Hey Barb, I really appreciate the personal response. I see bellow that you do that a fair bit.. Thats really great to see.

[TorontoLibertarian]

I like how you said you believe more in empowerment than in charity.

[BarbStegemann]

@TorontoLibertarian Thank you!

[bluemoonshine20]

Barb just a quick question, how did you manage to contact Abdullah and start this business in the first place? Was it through internet research, contacts/friends who served there?

[BarbStegemann]

@bluemoonshine20 I read an article about him and his company Gulestan. I was so sad that his distillery kept getting knocked over, I just had to reach out. I went to Ottawa and met with the CIDA executives and they knew of the NGO that did the research to prove these legal crops could be lucrative and be an alternative over the poppy crop. We do business via internet. My business partner W. Brett Wilson has since flown to Kabul to meet with Abdullah who is one of the greatest business minds.

[jasonj3100]

barb you look ethnic, where are you from?

[BarbStegemann]

@jasonj3100 I am Eastern European (mixed with a bit of Irish.)

[Sonix21]

Hello Barb, I'm currently enrolled as a Sociology major and honestly thought I learn alot about the world, every class leaves me feeling depressed at the inequalities and injustices in this world. I grew more cynical everytime I enter a supermarket or mall, seeing the realities behind how these products came to be. Yet seeing people like you who can actually create a product like this and continue this movement of Capitalism with a Social Conscience. Thank you for existing!

Dan

[BarbStegemann]

@Sonix21 my undergraduate was sociology Dan. It is a movement of "Capitalism with a Social Conscience" - here's hoping it becomes the norm one day.

[CuteKyrgyz]

BarbStegemann, You are just a classic example of social entrepreneurs that make changes. I'm proud that Canada has such women entrepreneurs. Good luck with your business!

[BarbStegemann]

@CuteKyrgyz Thank you! With a mentor like Brett Wilson and his network of philanthropists, I feel like we can seriously leave a better world than we came into. None of us are alone, we are altogether in this.

[BarbStegemann]

@CuteKyrgyz That is very kind of you to reach out. Indeed, we can be the change. We just start. I began out of my garage and now we are in 91 Bay stores nationally! It's really a dream come true. We were able to buy all the oils from the farmers this year and will continue to grow and empower families.

[koskoni]

Kevin can't even pronounce "altruistic"

[BarbStegemann]

Thank you all so much. I ended up going with Brett Wilson and still love the amazing support of Arlene and Jim. They are so kind. Brett became the mentor I dreamed of having immediately. He went to Afghanistan and met with the troops and then met with Abdullah, the gentleman I work with who works so hard on creating the oils we buy. We are on an amazing journey together. Thank you for joining us.

[RedroomStudios]

beautiful concept and an incredible woman! was a delight to learn about you and your product on DD last night. I've been telling all my female friends about your perfume! good luck and continued success!

[coffeeboob]

If I'm not mistaken I think I saw some bottles of this at Noor in Toronto?

[Iawyn]

What a great product. This is an all around good feeling for anyone involved in this perfume. Starting from the farmers and all the way down to the consumers. Everyone who buys a bottle will feel that the little amount they are doing is helping in a long way. I would happily pay for this, knowing that it's for a good cause.

When can we expect to see your product in Vancouver? :)

[BarbStegemann]

@Iawyn At the Bay Pacific Centre now. And the product is just so lovely.

[richardbutler02]

Congrats to Barb on her mission accomplished! I wish more business people would model themselves in this fashion. It would have been nice to see Kevin O'Leary jump on board with this venture but he is not a person that would consider a business with a social conscience to be a valid opportunity because he has no social conscience.

[maryamawan]

Barb is it available in Ottawa, is their any way I can help out. I am a Pukhtoon and my roots. are from northern Pakistan , doing my EMBA in Ottawa. If there's anything I can do to help, please tell me

[BarbStegemann]

@maryamawan We are at the Bay in Ottawa Mary. Congrats on your work. We can all do more to do trade with nations in strife. Spread the message and take action.

[inxslover4ever]

@BarbStegemann Hi Barb Just finished watching your appearance on Dragon's Den and I enjoyed the way you intereacted with the "Dragons". I teared up when Arlene started to cry as well, a very touching story indeed.

Anyhow, I live in Newfoundland and was wondering if your perfume line is being distributed out here, and if so, where? I cannot find it anywhere out here. Congrats and best of wishes in all your future endeavours.

[BarbStegemann]

Valid question for sure. However, there is incentive and we are empowering other farmers to get off the poppy crop. Over 2,500 farmers are seasonally employed to work on the alternative crops and we will continue.

[ruokcool30]

Kevin's question is valid. There have been efforts by Western governments and NGOs going on for nine years and beyond to move the populace away from poppy production, and it never takes. The incentive is not there, and any idea of this catching on beyond a minor fragment of society in Afghanistan is nutty.

[RedroomStudios]

@ruokcool30 you mean just like it's a minor fragment of the Canadian who population make money from the perfume industry? hey, you have to start somewhere and every bit counts. She said that for every litre of orange blossom oil 400 people get paid. When people are living in primitive conditions thats a significant impact. The other side of the equation is having continued demand for the product and Barb seems to be making giant leaps judging by the enthusiasm coming from her DD appearance.

[BarbStegemann]

@RedroomStudios Thank you. We have been able to ramp up the demand for oils and more farmers are getting off the poppy crops. We are purchasing 24 times the amount I purchased the first time this season and if we can continue at this pace we will continue to make change. You are so right. You don't get overwhelmed by the issues, you just start.

[swizzbeats1212]

Haha kevins just a dick

[Oscarsarge]

Greetings Barb,

Good Job. and to the Dragons nicely done.

When will we see it in Calgary??

Sarge

[BarbStegemann]

@Oscarsarge We are in every Bay store now, including the Calgary Bay. Thank you so much! I hope you get to experience this joyous fragrance soon!

[Oscarsarge]

@BarbStegemann

Thank you.

Sarge

[swhare123]

omg i watched this then today on facebook victor was like thats my mom and i was like wut? funny

[BarbStegemann]

@swhare123 That's very cute! I am so proud to be Victor's Mom. He advises me on so much.

[highlandliz]

Hey Barb! Where in Halifax can I get this? Good luck and Good Job!

[OktobrMusic]

Genius idea Barb! All the luck to you and your enterprise!

[ammusi]

I usually only buy perfume for gifts - but I just might give this gift to myself - and by extension, help people in a war torn place - I'm in...

excellent idea and may you all become rich doing this!

k - where in Toronto can I buy some???

[BarbStegemann]

@ammusi Any Bay Store in Canada. We are so grateful to have the Bay work with us on this.

[DebbiesArtJournal]

this is the best presentation I have seen on the Dragon's Den.  Congrats to you Barb.

[BarbStegemann]

@DebbiesArtJournal That is very kind of you. I was so scared when I went on the Den, but the chance to share with millions of Canadians that we need to find ways to do trade with nations in strife through fair trade got me over my fear. I am glad you get it!

[BarbStegemann]

@DebbiesArtJournal that is very lovely of you to share! That means a lot to me. Tune in this fall for the follow up show. We launched the Noble Rose of Afghanistan and are now launching Vetiver of Haiti on International Day of Peace, Sept 21st to help rebuild there.

[spindoc]

Fair trade perfume!

[MustFactor]

Nice! Barb, you show what business is all about... bringing your passion and enthusiasm into play while keeping a level head and speaking the facts.

I, for one, think Kevin was wrong in this case. It IS important to make some decisions based on an emotional response, because it is the emotion that will carry you when times get tough.

Nice work Barb!

[briancormier]

Congratulations!

[JuiceDome]

Barb, makes me proud to be a Canadian watching this, especially a Haligonian! Go get 'em

[knightcrawler1978]

Barb - Congratulations on the deal with the Dragon's. All the best to you and your future endevours. Keep us all posted on when your product goes nationwide so others can try and buy! My wife would love the perfume.

[BarbStegemann]

Thank you so much!

Peace,

Barb Stegemann

[egfgman]

Best pitch and product I've seen in 3 years of watching this show, way to go Barb!

[kellyanne0823]

Awesome presentation my dear friend!! So proud of you!! All the best!!

[fun2cook]

Most excellent! Congratulations!