Grandmother-of-eight Simeone Salik was £40,000 better off this week after a successful stint on BBC2's reality-TV show Dragons' Den.

During the episode - aired on Monday - Mrs Salik, 67, faced the dragons together with her two business partners. In case you missed it, the trio pitched for investment in their online firm, blindsinabox.co.uk, which sells instant temporary blinds. They secured £40,000 for a 50 per cent stake in the business, with the option to regain 10 per cent if they reach certain targets.

Mrs Salik tells People: "My grandchildren think I'm cool for doing it, that's the main thing." And how were the dragons? "I wasn't scared of them. It was a lovely and exciting experience."

Mrs Salik founded the company last year. Businessman Dominic Lawrence and interior designer Janice Dalton then came on board. "I was in the process of building a house when I went to buy some inexpensive blinds as a temporary solution to provide some privacy, and also to keep the light out of the bedroom, but I couldn't find what I wanted." So she decided to have some made and realised that there was a gap in the market.

Mrs Salik, who has three daughters, lives in Mill Hill, North London. She is member of Barnet synagogue.