BEFORE stepping into the Dragons' Den, North Vancouver inventor Patricia Truter was nervous.
But her jitters were replaced with excitement when she realized the potential investors were as thrilled about her product as she was.
Truter appeared on the CBC reality TV show in May to promote her invention, a hightech version of cucumber slices called eyeSlices. The show will air in September.
Before going on camera, Truter had developed a plan to deal with the prickliest of the dragons.
"We thought that Kevin O'Leary was going to be the most difficult," said Truter. "We were working with the producers to get him on the massage table and we got the beautician . . . to give him a shoulder massage and put (the eyeSlices) on his eyes to keep him busy."
It turned out the ruse wasn't really necessary; all five dragons loved the product. But until the show goes to air, Truter can't reveal whether the investors actually decided to put money into the invention.
Truter developed the beauty product while on a research project in South Africa. The materials scientist was working on a high-tech material to treat burn wounds when she realized the cooling cryogel she had created could also be used to treat a more common problem: puffy eyes and dark circles.
"It improves circulation because of the natural cooling effect, so your blood flows a little bit more and removes all the toxins," said Truter.
In addition to reducing dark circles and puffiness, the product helps with red eyes and irritated skin caused by allergies, said Truter. The eyeSlices can be reused up to 10 times, and don't need to be refrigerated to create the cooling effect.
Truter, who is originally from South Africa, teamed up with entrepreneur Kerryne Krause to market and distribute the product in South Africa, Dubai, Europe, England, Israel and at the Four Seasons Hotel New York. But to stock store shelves in Canada and the United States, Truter and Krause need the help of the dragons. They hope to supply eyeSlices to spas and large retail stores.
Truter trained as a scientist, but business is in her blood. In South Africa, her father owned a construction company and her mother ran a chain of grocery stores. After a stint at a Vancouver pharmaceutical company, Truter is now working on eyeSlices full time.
The single mother of two daughters came to Canada seven years ago seeking a safe home for her family. While she initially picked the Vancouver area for its warmer climate, North Vancouver now truly feels like home to Truter.
"We've fit in so well," she said. "I feel almost like I've represented North Vancouver in the Dragons' Den."
