Rosebud-backed Albus & Flora founder reflects on life after Dragons’ Den 

When Rachel Williams walked into the Dragons’ Den, she knew the opportunity could transform Albus & Flora. What she could not know was just how quickly that transformation would arrive. 

In the two weeks after her appearance on the BBC programme, the Pendle-based skincare business received more than 2,000 orders. At one point, orders were coming in at roughly one a minute.  

For Rachel, founder of Albus & Flora, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. It has brought national visibility, introduced the brand to thousands of new customers and opened up further opportunities for a specialist Lancashire business with global ambitions. But she is also clear that a Dragons’ Den appearance is not simply a television moment. It is a serious commercial test, and one that businesses need to be ready for. 

That preparation was helped by Rosebud, the Lancashire business finance provider which supported Albus & Flora with funding and ongoing guidance before the Dragons’ Den opportunity came up. 

“The financial and business support I’ve had from Rosebud over many years and in the lead up to Dragons’ Den has been invaluable.” said Rachel.  

“When I speak with entrepreneurs in other parts of the country, they tell me it’s something that isn’t available to them. Having access to specialist expertise and an opportunity to talk through business decisions has been a really positive experience” 

For Albus & Flora, those foundations were important. A loan from Rosebud gave Rachel the flexibility to make practical investments ahead of the surge in demand, including improvements to the website, shipping and systems. Those decisions helped the business take advantage of a national platform that could otherwise have overwhelmed it. 

“If I hadn’t had that financial flexibility, I wouldn’t have been able to update the
website, invest in our shipping infrastructure and build the support team needed to assist our customers and stockists. The support helped me take advantage of this huge opportunity and focus on long-term business growth” she said. 

Albus & Flora is a specialist, award-winning skincare brand trusted by beauty professionals and stocked in over 400 Aesthetic clinics, salons, spas, pharmacies & beauty retail. Before Dragons’ Den, the business already had a strong professional customer base, with business-to-business sales making up most of its revenue. The programme introduced the brand to a much wider direct-to-consumer audience.  

That shift has brought opportunity, but also complexity. Rachel and her small team worked extended hours to meet demand, handle customer enquiries and manage the public attention that followed the broadcast. Alongside the positive engagement came tougher aspects too, not least the including intense social media scrutiny.  

Her advice to other entrepreneurs is to take the opportunity if it comes, but not to underestimate what follows. 

“The essential element is your foundation,” Rachel said. “Working with Rosebud gave the business the opportunity to develop key operational & digital systems, which enabled us to capitalize on the opportunity and ultimately gave us a better chance to grow.” 

Albus & Flora is now the second Rosebud alumni business to feature on Dragons’ Den, following Derry Green of Secret Garden Glamping. For Rosebud, it is another example of how the right finance and support can help Lancashire businesses prepare for moments of national opportunity. 

Martin Emmott, Fund Manager at Rosebud, said: “We’re proud to be backing ambition in every corner of Lancashire. Our mission is to help the region’s entrepreneurs and companies fulfil their potential. Through our tailored loans and growth support, we enable businesses to scale, innovate and contribute to a thriving regional economy.” 

Rosebud’s role is distinctive. Part of Lancashire County Councils growth service, it is rooted in Lancashire and combines finance with hands-on business support, by providing loans, guidance, tools and connections to help ambitious Lancashire companies grow, innovate and create wider economic impact. 

For Rachel, that combination has been crucial. The loan was not just a transaction. It gave her the confidence and capacity to strengthen the business ahead of a defining moment. 

The impact of Dragons’ Den has changed the pace of Albus & Flora. It has opened up fresh questions about how the brand balances its established professional sales with growing direct-to-consumer demand. It has also reinforced Rachel’s belief in building a specialist, authentic brand rather than chasing short-term trends in a crowded beauty market. 

There is still work ahead. Scaling brings pressure on operations, supply chains, marketing and manufacturing. But Albus & Flora’s story shows what can happen when a Lancashire entrepreneur has the ambition and support to prepare properly, move quickly and make the most of a national platform. 

For other founders watching from across the county, Rachel’s message is encouraging but clear: “Say yes to the opportunity, but make sure the business is ready when the spotlight arrives.”