The latest casualty of Lord Alan Sugar’s boardroom admits he was pleased to be removed from the process.
Paul Bowen, the director of Pie Company, was sacked following the competition’s second assignment, resulting in the loss of Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment.
His failure stemmed from attempting to sell a chocolate cheesecake to Innocent, a smoothie brand that specialises on fruits and vegetables.‘I know you guys are more Innocent but we like to indulge,’ Paul attempted in the pitch.
‘It’s all good and well having your one of five-a-day, but life is all about balances, and I’m really hoping that the chocolate theme will give you that naughty kick you’re after,’ he went on, insisting that they could take on ‘chocolate and fruit together’.
Lord Sugar wasn’t too impressed, later telling Paul in the boardroom: ‘I admire you for admitting your mistakes but there were simply too many mistakes and so it is with regret Paul, you’re fired.’
The 34-year-old admitted in the taxi that his ‘biggest regret’ was ‘obviously banging on about chocolate,’ before adding: ‘But hey, it’s time to go back and make some pies’.
And he intends to do just that, claiming that being dismissed was a’relief’.
Paul said: ‘It’s kind of a relief, like I’m done now, back to making pies.’
Watching oneself getting dismissed was more difficult than experiencing it, as he admitted: ‘I’m more heartbroken watching it again; I didn’t fight hard enough.
‘Although I did make mistakes, I still made a good profit, I went in that boardroom to sell chocolate which was what we all agreed and I just came short.
‘Looking at myself, although I’m a confident person, maybe I’m lacking a bit of self-confidence or belief in myself.’
Despite being ‘gutted’ to see himself sacked, Paul knew it was coming when he heard how successful the girls’ team was, selling their cheesecakes for significantly more money.
‘As soon as I heard they got £13 for a cheesecake, I nearly called a taxi there and then!’ he told us.
‘If I was sat where Lord Sugar was sat, I would have sacked myself and all!’
However, he believes he could have battled for himself more and wishes he had the confidence to do so.
When asked what he learned throughout his time in the competition, Paul replied: ‘Probably simply to have a little more self-confidence in myself; if I’m right, believe it and push it.
‘I think maybe I was a bit of a pushover, but at the same time, I’m an honest guy.
‘If I make a mistake, I’ll hold my hands up and the viewers are welcome to say “he was wrong,” and I’ll accept that.’
‘I just probably didn’t put myself out there as much as I usually do. Whether it was the cameras or intimidation from Lord Sugar, I probably didn’t try as hard as I should have,’ he elsewhere told us.
‘Like I’ve always said, it wasn’t the money aspect, I’m not after £250,000, as much as it’s a great figure and like anyone, I wouldn’t mind it dropping in my account, he’s asking for 50% of your business.
‘But I was never after the money, it was the experience. We do good business here at Bowen Pies we produce a great product, a great service, a great skill, it’s a great business all in all, it pretty much grows every year.
‘But how do you turn a 1.5million business into a 10.5million business? That’s what really I was fighting for was to get that mentorship from Lord Sugar.’
While pushing the chocolate cheesecakes may have been his demise, after watching the girls’ team’s negotiation talents, he realised it was a lost battle in the end.
‘Even if I’d have said fruit and promised them the world, there’s not in a million years – my name’s not Dick Turpin – I wouldn’t have got £13 for a cheesecake, so it was still a loss!’
Nonetheless, Paul admitted his experience was ‘incredible’ but he was shocked to hear it wouldn’t be ‘a walk in the park’ with 4am starts and long days.
But he still learnt a lot from the process and Lord Sugar, saying: ‘He’s a hard, tough cookie. And there’s a reason why he is who he is, and that’s Lord Sugar for you.’
The Apprentice airs Thursdays at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.