DreamStart | Speakers

The Speakers - Rachel Elnaugh

Rachel Elnaugh: The Entrepreneurial Journey

Rachel Elnaugh is one of Britain's highest profile female entrepreneurs.

Having started her working life as an office junior, at the age of 24 she created the market leading experiences brand Red Letter Days on a shoestring budget from the front room of her home. Red Letter Days went on to generate over £100million in turnover in the 16 years that she ran it, and in doing so pioneered the UK's £250 million experiences sector. Then, in early 2005, Rachel shot to fame as one of the original Dragons in BBC TV's BAFTA nominated cult business show Dragons' Den.

Rachel is someone who has experienced the full 'life cycle' of a business - from giving birth to Red Letter Days and nurturing it through the often tough and desolate early years, she developed it into a market leading profitable multi-million pound turnover business which traded successfully for over a decade. Following an ill advised over-expansion and despite trying to save it over a two and a half year period, Rachel finally experienced its death - only for it to be re-born 24 hours later to new owners. Yet, despite all that, Rachel still believes that being an entrepreneur is the most exciting and rewarding way to live your life!

As well as being one of DreamStart’s keynote speakers, Rachel will be heading the judging panel for the Dreamers’ Den.

One of the things Rachel has learned through her vast business experience is that there is no 'one way' to achieve business success. The key, she believes is understanding what type of entrepreneur you are, and then doing business in a way that is true to yourself, and above all, one that brings you personal happiness and fulfilment.

Rachel lives in Bakewell, Derbyshire with her husband Chris and five sons Mark, Paul, Eddie, Michael and recent arrival, Jack.

Rachel will be speaking twice throughout the day in the Bury Theatre.

Rachel's free Entrepreneurial Profiling Test comprises 12 questions and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. At the end of the Test, you will receive an immediate result telling you which of the 9 unique Entrepreneurial Types you Profile as.
If you do not have sufficient time to focus on the Test now, you should return and take it later.