A Clip Of Simu Liu Defending A Business Owner Who Has To Work A 9–5 Is Going Viral
“They’re so out of touch,” one commenter wrote of the other judges.
Though Simu Liu’s episode of the investment reality series Dragon’s Den aired last month, new clips are still making the rounds.
Rodin Eckenroth / FilmMagic
Meet Barry from the organic ball pit company Balu Organics. The clip begins with dragons Wes Hall saying he won’t invest in the company because it’s a “side hustle.”
CBC
“I don’t want to call it a side hustle. This is my baby. I’m passionate about this. I can’t tell you how many nights I’ve slept in the warehouse in one of these things,” Barry responds, before dragon Manjit Minhas interjects, “You have a nine to five.”
CBC
When asked by Wes why he isn’t going for his “passion,” Barry replies, “So living in Toronto is very, very expensive, and when you’re doing a startup business, you can’t really take that chance.” At that point, numerous dragons interrupt and say, “I did.”
CBC
Barry then adds, “Unfortunately, I couldn’t. Not everybody is in a position to do that. On top of that, I have two very young children.” In response, Wes notes that he has three children and says he won’t invest in someone who sees their business as “secondary.”
CBC
Enter Simu. “I’ve got to say, I disagree here. I understand investors want their founders to, obviously, prioritize their business,” he responds. “But the economic reality of a lot of people starting businesses at later stages in life is that they have responsibilities that they have to adhere to. I don’t think that should be the only thing that deters you as an investor. That’s all.”
CBC
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the comments were staunchly on Barry’s side:
