Sharon P.

About Sharon

Sharon is a creator and entrepreneur from Leeds with a 31-year background running a local community magazine. Inspired by her parents, who arrived in the UK from Barbados in 1948 among the 1,027 passengers aboard the Empire Windrush, she created an educational dice-and-card tabletop game titled Ship Away.

The Pitch & Traction

Ship Away was created as an interactive, therapeutic resource designed to bridge cultural divides, counter prejudice, and educate schoolchildren about Windrush history. Sharon reported selling roughly 700 units over two years at £40 each, generating approximately £28,000 in gross revenue. Each game costs roughly £10.50 to produce in China. Her traction includes endorsement and packaging signatures from television personality Shaun Wallace of The Chase, partnerships across 35 Turtle Bay venues, and tours alongside the theatrical play Streets Paved with Gold. To finance initial manufacturing, she raised £13,000 from a local property investor, repaying him £500 monthly plus £200. She sought £1,000 to launch a children's sister game, Windrush Islands, and supply 100 units to local schools.

Investor Feedback & Outcome

The investors commended Sharon's enthusiasm, appearance, and proven product-market fit. However, they expressed strong concerns regarding operational hurdles, small revenue margins over two years, and an inactive website following the death of her web manager. Ibby Aslam opted not to invest, explaining that he did not want to babysit the business or manage the fundamental marketing and scaling legwork himself. Princely Samuel O. similarly declined an on-air financial investment, though he encouraged Sharon to contact him off-screen for informal guidance and community support.