Which original Dragons' Den investor founded the company Red Letter Days?

Rachel Elnaugh founded the company Red Letter Days.

Elnaugh was an entrepreneur and one of the original Dragons in the British series. Red Letter Days sold experience gifts, such as leisure and entertainment activities, packaged as presents rather than as conventional physical products.

The business helped popularise the idea that a gift could be an experience to be booked and enjoyed later. That model depends on relationships with activity providers, effective marketing and reliable fulfilment, all of which are important operational issues for a company selling experiences.

Elnaugh’s place in the programme’s history is sometimes obscured by the later prominence of Deborah Meaden, who also became known for consumer and leisure investments. They were different Dragons and were not members of the same original lineup: Elnaugh was present at launch, while Meaden joined in the third series. Red Letter Days is the key business associated with Elnaugh’s entrepreneurial career.