Susie Ma, a familiar face from both “The Apprentice” and “Dragons’ Den,” recently revealed a surprising chapter in her entrepreneurial journey: willingly relinquishing investment capital. Her story isn’t about needing funds, but about reclaiming control and aligning her business with her core values.
Ma’s initial partnership with Lord Sugar, though successful on the surface, lacked a crucial element – shared vision. Sugar, she explained, was focused on financial returns, a perspective that clashed with her dedication to product development and brand ethos. It wasn’t a partnership built on passion, but on profit margins.
In 2023, Ma decisively bought back Lord Sugar’s shares in Tropic Skincare for an undisclosed sum, a move that also allowed her to distribute a remarkable £20 million in dividends to herself. This wasn’t simply a financial transaction; it was a declaration of independence.
“It just felt like how it should be,” Ma reflected, describing the liberation of steering her company alone. The freedom to make decisions without external approval was, in her words, “amazing,” a true full-circle moment for the founder.
Her commitment to purpose-driven investment was evident on a recent episode of “Dragons’ Den,” where she invested in a money-saving app designed for new parents. She described the venture as “offering a national service,” highlighting her desire to support businesses with genuine impact.
Ma’s approach to investing differs significantly from her fellow Dragons. Unlike seasoned investors seeking returns, she prioritizes shared values and believes in the power of a product she genuinely supports. She isn’t looking to *make* money from the Dragons, but to find kindred spirits.
The roots of Ma’s drive trace back to her family’s journey, immigrating to the UK from Australia when she was thirteen. A pivotal £200 investment from her mother at age fifteen launched Tropic Skincare, a brand that would eventually allow Ma to repay that faith in extraordinary ways.
By seventeen, she secured a deposit on a house for her mother. By twenty-one, she had paid off the mortgage entirely. This remarkable turnaround is a testament to her dedication and a powerful illustration of the impact of a single, believing investment.
Ma’s story is a compelling reminder that success isn’t solely measured in financial gains. It’s about building a business that reflects your values, empowering others, and ultimately, charting your own course.
