- Written by Emma Elsey
- BBC News, West of England
image source, family photo
Gorge goats are booming in business
A man who started a goat milk cosmetics business after being diagnosed with osteoporosis says his business has boomed since appearing in “Dragon's Den.”
Nick King, 62, from Chew Stoke, was a police officer until he was diagnosed with osteoporosis after a road accident.
He founded Goats of the Gorge, a skin care brand, after discovering goat milk's high calcium content.
King was featured on Dragons' Den on March 7, but was unable to secure investment from the Dragons.
They received advice on how to grow their brand.
Products are designed to support those with sensitive skin
“We explained the benefits of goat milk minutes after it aired, and the orders kept coming in and we've been extremely busy since that exposure,” King said.
Mr King was a former police officer with Avon and Somerset Police before taking early retirement in 2017.
He explained that he “blacked out” after a minor car accident in Park Street, Bristol, which led him to discover the benefits of goat milk.
“I started making soap in my kitchen and got some great feedback so I decided to give it a try.”
'Really awesome'
King officially set up the business in 2020 and spent two years exhibiting at farmers markets in Bristol and Somerset.
Co-owner Ricky King said: “Over the past 45 months, we have continued to grow our business by working with some of the largest retailers.
“It was disappointing that the Dragons didn’t invest, but we took their feedback and really continued to drive the business forward.
“We're working on some big contracts and it's starting to head in the right direction for us and we're telling this story to the public.”
image source, canyon goat
Industry colleagues say products have been disappearing from shelves since Dragon's Den aired.
The company sources its goat milk from an award-winning carbon dairy herd. The dairy cows graze just three miles from the company and Bruton Dairy.
Nick King added that he had obtained a license from DEFRA to use carbon goat milk, which was previously wasted, and the money was now helping to pay for the goats' upkeep.
“This has been a huge help especially for my osteoporosis. The reviews left on our website have been really great,” he said.
