Сара Дэвис не исключает возвращения в «Драконову пещеру» и готовитась к походу на Великую Китайскую стену

Sara Davies may have stepped away from Dragons’ Den to focus on her own business, but her affection for the show is as strong as ever. “I love it. It’s such a huge part of who I am,” says the 42-year-old entrepreneur and mum-of-two. “I just love working with, and investing in, small businesses.” She certainly doesn’t rule out a return to the BBC show – now in its 23rd series – saying cryptically, “Who knows what next year will bring?” Part of the appeal is her rapport with the other Dragons – especially Steven Bartlett, who became the youngest to join the panel in 2021. • Lego fans can get new 2026 Advent Calendar for £6 using deal “Me and Steven are great friends and we get on really well,” she says. “It’s funny, because we come from such different walks of life, and our businesses are so very different. We also have very different outlooks on life, but we’ve both grown up in that same millennial generation.” Handily, Steven’s tech background meant he could coach Sara on certain topics. “Over dinner, he’d teach me everything I needed to know about AI,” she laughs. “You’ll not be surprised to know he was years ahead of the whole thing.” Although now said to be worth an estimated £37 million, Sara says she has often felt like an outsider in her career. “I’ve always been the minority in a room. I was either the only woman, or the only young person when I started out. Or I was the only one who sounded like me – which everybody assumes means you aren’t as intelligent as they are.” Despite believing that women have to work harder in business than men, she adds, “That’s a good thing. I always found I was on the backfoot, but it used to drive me. I felt like being underestimated was my superpower.” When Sara left the Den last year, it was because she had bought back full control of her company, Crafter’s Companion, and wanted to devote herself to being its CEO. “It’s taught me so much,” she says. “It’s a massively different skillset.” She has also launched a podcast with her sister, Mind Your Business With Sara And Helen, and recently joined Not On The High Street as a non-executive director. It’s a wonder she has time for anything else, but Sara also fits in co-parenting two sons – Oliver, 12, and Charlie, nine – as well as her marriage to childhood sweetheart Simon Davies, who works with her. “The juggle is real – and it’s bloody hard,” she admits. “I don’t spend as much time with my kids as some mums who are able to give up their careers. But I make sure they get 100% of me when I am there. I’m also lucky they have hands-on grandparents.” To show her gratitude, Sara loves treating them to trips abroad, and as well as taking one set of grandparents to Spain this summer, she recently took her mum and dad on a cruise around the Norwegian fjords. “It was a bucket-list thing,” she says. “We made some wonderful memories with them and the kids.” Closer to home, she and Simon take the responsibility of raising their sons very seriously – particularly in the age of the manosphere. “As big as it is running multi-million-pound businesses and making massive investment decisions, that pales into insignificance compared to knowing we have the biggest influence on these two little people,” she says. “When our eldest son went into Year 7, he was one of only three kids in the whole year that didn’t have a mobile phone. Oh, yes, I am that mum,” Sara says. “I’m a big believer of a smartphone-free childhood and was an advocate of the social media ban for under-16s. It’s our job to protect our kids, but it’s so hard for parents, so the more support we can give the better.” Thankfully, Simon, who she met when she was just 15, shares her values – which helps explain why they’ve been together 28 years. “I still idolise the ground he walks on,” Sara says. “I’ve just got huge respect for him, and love him to death.” However, she admits they are “chalk and cheese” sometimes. “I wanted to do loads of holiday stuff over the summer, and he couldn’t take as much time off. He’s also not as into holidays as I am, so he said, ‘If you want to take the kids camping or go on that cruise, knock yourself out.’ We work brilliantly as a team, but we also give each other space. I think that’s why it’s worked, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. He’s my whole reason for being.” When we speak, Sara is about to head off for a trek along the Great Wall of China for breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!, and she says Simon will need to dig in back home. “He’s going to have to work twice as hard because he’s going to be a single parent while I’m away.” The five-day CoppaTrek! is Sara’s second, and will see her join Giovanna Fletcher, Vicky Pattison and Paralympian Erin Kennedy as they lead 120 supporters through the gruelling challenge. Sara has been busily preparing, saying, “I’ve been strength training for the past year, and have been walking with my weighted vest on, so I’m in a decent place of fitness.” After taking part in a CoppaTrek! in the Himalayas in 2024, Sara knew she wanted to do it again. “It was eye-opening, and one of the most life-changing weeks of my life. It’s so hard to put into words, but it’s such a privilege to lead a group of people and hear the stories of how they’ve been touched by breast cancer. It really hammered home how it affects women of all ages – and why it’s so important that we check our breasts on a regular basis.” Though Sara is aware it will be tough, she adds, “Knowing you’ve made a difference really keeps you going.” She’s also looking forward to spending time with Giovanna and Vicky – who she previously trekked the Arctic with for Comic Relief. “We really had to dig deep for that. I remember pulling her through it, and at times, Vicky pulling me through it. We’ve got that special bond now.” Five years after taking part in Strictly Come Dancing, Sara also remains close to partner Aljaž Škorjanec and his wife Janette Manrara. They even holidayed together in Greece this summer. “We had the best week,” she says. “Aljaž had me up dancing and taught my husband a few moves, too.” Though she tries to keep up the steps she learned on the show in 2021, it seems there are limitations. “I do try, but it’s not the same when you haven’t got a 19-times national champion spinning you around the dancefloor.” Needless to say, she’s excited about the new series – despite the fact there will be no Tess Daly or Claudia Winkleman. “It was such a shock to me when they stepped down,” says Sara. “But I love the show and I’ll be watching with bated breath.” Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.