My Journey Through Performance Stress: My Experience on the Set of “Dragon’s Den”

I have something to tell you: I sometimes feel stressed, like everyone else! I often worry about what others think of me and I always try to give the best of myself. I am not trying to normalize this stress, but rather to trivialize it. In this text, I am therefore not going to make a revelation about my performance anxiety, but rather talk about completely normal behavior, like the stress I felt during my appearance on the show "Dans l'oeil du dragon". It was probably one of the most destabilizing situations of my life! But you know as well as I do that anything of value requires effort, and a good dose of stress!

As a young Quebec entrepreneur, being selected to present my project on television was an incredible privilege, and I knew it would arouse the admiration of my community. But it also increased the pressure! Before the show, I was both excited and feverish. Preparing to share my journey and my vision in front of such a large and attentive audience was both exhilarating and a little scary. Will I succeed in transmitting all the passion that lives in me? Will I live up to expectations? Will I receive an avalanche of orders after the show? Will my business seduce one of the dragons admired by all? “Dans l'oeil du dragon” is much more than just a television show, it's a reality show. Go ahead, madam, show everyone who you really are! But who am I really? A girl from a modest background who one day had an idea and followed it, who loves what she does, but who is clearly afraid at every step she takes. Who stresses at every new milestone and who learns day after day. Who did not take any courses at HEC and who does not have parents who built before her. I break down doors that are well closed, let me tell you!

When the time came to speak, I was confident and ready. I know my company well, having held every position and seat in it. Yet, without warning, the stress crept up on me in an unexpected way. Despite my usual ease in the public sphere, the weight of the stress was overwhelming. It was as if the pressure had suddenly descended on me, leaving me disoriented and vulnerable.

Why is that? Because I believe in it so much and I don't want anyone to make me think that my idea is not viable, because I don't want anyone to make me doubt the quality of it! It's like I realized "on the spot" that I had just exposed myself greatly to the judgment of others. I felt like I was in secondary two and giving an oral presentation in class! I judge myself enough at times, and that's completely normal! It's neither performance anxiety nor social anxiety. It's a normal feeling, just life, human nature!

It was a real internal battle! My mouth was completely dry, and my sinusitis didn't help. It increased my stress tenfold, but the essence of entrepreneurship (or even life) is to overcome obstacles and surpass our apprehensions. Discomfort is often a temporary feeling. With this thought in mind, I found the courage to continue and present my project with conviction and determination.

And guess what? I got an offer! I have to admit that I had a soft spot for Madame Christiane Germain. She inspires me with her confidence, integrity, deep values ​​and commitment: everything I want to be, everything I try to be every day. So I was extremely happy to receive and accept her offer.

I thought I had been through the worst, but I didn't realize that the hardest part was coming; watching myself. But I know that it makes me likeable. Deep down, I don't want to be this cold and strong person, devoid of emotion, always confident. It has also been a great life lesson for my children, who have followed the whole adventure. They have seen me nervous, stressed, in all my states. It has clearly shown them that everything is not easy. They have seen that I make constant efforts and that it is not always pleasant, that I am not perfect and that what is valuable requires stress and effort (I know, I repeat myself, but it is so important!). My children will experience moments of stress, and I don't want them to think that they have an anxiety problem, but to understand that this is just life.

My time on “In the Dragon’s Den” will always be etched in my memory as a valuable lesson. It was an experience that pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, face my fears and believe in my abilities. And while stress is a daily challenge, I know that every time I overcome it, I become stronger and more resilient as an entrepreneur, as a person. I learn to be forgiving of myself, to accept that perfection is not always achievable, while continuing to give my best and see the value in effort. Entrepreneurship is truly a winding and emotional road, but that’s what makes it so exciting!

Finally, above all, THANK YOU for your thousand kind words of encouragement, you have been extraordinary. Your encouragement, your support and your solidarity have galvanized me so much! How lucky I am to have so many people who believe in me and in Les Belles Combines!