If the Dragons on Dragons鈥� Den are supposed to be terrifying, fire-breathing, monsters then Susie Ma didn鈥檛 get the memo.
The founder of Tropic Skincare made her debut as a guest Dragon in the latest episode of the BBC show.
There have been an estimated 19 different Dragons and eight guest Dragons since the show just aired in 2005, and it鈥檚 hard to think of one that has been more friendly than 37-year-old Ma.
First, she had to fight back tears in making an offer of 拢50k to sisters Olivia and Tanyka Davson for a 10 per cent stake in their startup Cubbi, a discount platform for new and expecting parents.
Then she refused to follow the lead of her fellow Dragons in making the offer conditional to her receiving a bigger slice of equity.
As if to emphasise the point she reacted with incredulity when veteran Dragon Peter Jones offered Richard Peter and Erica Pugh – co-founders of Compo Closet – 拢100,000 for an eye-watering 20 per cent of their portable composting toilet business.
鈥�20 per cent?鈥� asked Ma in disbelief. 鈥淭hey were offering 3 per cent.鈥�
Even Steven Bartlett mouthed the word 鈥榳ow鈥� at his fellow Dragon鈥檚 demand.
When Compo Closet鈥檚 co-founders politely turned down Jones鈥� offer, Ma left nobody in any doubt about her true feelings. 鈥淕ood for you,鈥� she told them – twice.
Any her generous nature even extended beyond the entrepreneurs who were pitching for investment.
The last pitch of the night came from brothers Martin and Tomas Rosinski, who were seeking a 拢200,000 investment for 4 per cent of their AI-powered cat flap business OnlyCat, which is designed to stop cats from bringing home unwanted prey.
Ma asked the co-founders: 鈥淚 wonder if there鈥檚 a wider wildlife benefit. If a cat is denied entry because it has a rodent in its mouth, does it teach the cat to not kill rodents?鈥�
The reaction to her appearance of Dragons鈥� Den has been almost universally supportive
Breath of fresh air
Natalie Drury might not have remembered Ma鈥檚 name but she took to X to write: 鈥淭his lady was very nice. Should be on more.聽 A breath of fresh air.鈥�
Experienced in-house general counsel and company director Nikki Ellison said she wasn鈥檛 surprised by Ma鈥檚 behaviour.
鈥淚鈥檝e had the pleasure of meeting Susie at various events, and what always stands out is the time she gives to people,鈥� she posted on LinkedIn.
鈥淪he remembers who you are, makes you feel valued, and genuinely takes the time to talk. It鈥檚 rare – and refreshing.
鈥淟ast night I cheered her on – not just as a businesswoman, but as someone who leads with real warmth.鈥�
As for Ma, she revealed that filming for Dragons鈥� Den came just four months after she gave birth to her daughter Sienna.
鈥淔ilming was up in Manchester, so we were away from home for the week, juggling a tiny baby while staying in an Airbnb,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 was still healing, still navigating hormones, still figuring out how to be a Mum – and running on about three hours of broken sleep most nights.
鈥淭hen I鈥檇 arrive on set trying to look calm and polished鈥� while my body felt anything but.
鈥淭here were moments I was desperate for a break – not to grab a snack or run through my notes – but because I needed to breastfeed Sienna.
鈥淟eaking, uncomfortable, counting down the minutes, and still trying to stay sharp in the Den.
鈥淎nd it really hit me: when a baby arrives, everyone (rightly) asks about the baby. Are they feeding? Sleeping? Settled?
鈥淏ut so rarely do we ask the parent: Have you eaten today? Have you rested? Are you OK?
Rave reviews: Susie Ma impressed in her appearance as a guest Dragon
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I chose to invest in Cubbi – because they genuinely see the parents too.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a free app with discounts and perks across hundreds of brands – for babies and for you – from everyday essentials to those little 鈥榝eel-good鈥� bits that make life smoother in the thick of it.
鈥淏ecause in those early months, even one tiny upgrade to your day can make you feel human again.鈥�
More than an investor
Cubbi鈥檚 co-founder Tanyka Davson added: 鈥淲e鈥檙e also incredibly lucky to have built such a fantastic relationship with our investor Susie Ma. Her support has gone far beyond the financial investment.鈥�
Away from Dragons鈥� Den, Tropic Skincare continues to go from strength to strength, hitting a $100m+ revenue and winning more than 450 awards.