Rachel Elnaugh became the first woman to join the regular panel of the British series Dragon's Den.
Elnaugh was one of the original Dragons when the UK programme launched in 2005. She had built her business career through Red Letter Days, a company selling experience gifts such as driving days, spa visits and other activities. Her experience gave her a strong connection to consumer brands and experiential retail.
She appeared in the first two series of the programme. Elnaugh later left the panel, and Deborah Meaden joined as a replacement. That change is why viewers sometimes remember Meaden, rather than Elnaugh, as the show’s first female Dragon.
Red Letter Days subsequently experienced financial difficulties and was sold. The company’s history is often discussed alongside Elnaugh’s television career because it illustrates both the opportunities and risks involved in rapidly expanding a consumer business. Elnaugh later worked as a business speaker and mentor.