Who is Gemma Connolly and what does Scoff Paper make?

GEMMA CONNOLLY makes products that are very popular with dogs but the business owner is now hoping to win over a panel of Dragons.

The entrepreneur is a hopeful on the 21st series of BBC reality TV show Dragons' Den, where she will pitch her company to the potential investors.

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Who is Gemma Connolly?

Gemma Connolly is an entrepreneur and the founder of Scoff Paper.

Prior to starting her business in November 2020, Connolly worked at a business management consultancy.

I can honestly say that my dog saved my life.

Gemma Connolly

She has been a volunteer guide dog puppy walker at the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association since 2013 and, according to the Scoff Paper website, she has raised, trained and cared for seventeen dogs.

Connolly has credited the Guide Dogs puppy walking scheme with restoring her health after she suffered a heart attack in 2015.

The scare caused her to reassess her life and career, as she states on Scoff Paper: "I knew something had to give.

"I took a step back from work, but what really helped me was my first guide dog, a labrador-retriever named Ian.

"The sheer love and warmth I found in Ian truly changed my life for the better and to this day, I can honestly say that my dog saved my life."

Connolly is very active on TikTok and Instagram, where she regularly shares insights into her business and life with her gorgeous golden retriever Leo.

After a trailer for her Dragons' Den episode aired in early February 2024, Connolly posted on her LinkedIn about the experience.

Revealing how it felt to see herself on TV, the Lancashire-based business owner said: "I couldn't stop shaking."

Connolly added: "The videos on my other channels are just me being me, being real just like I was in the den. 

"I'm so grateful for all the support I have ever received with my little business, but this has already been something I've never experienced before."

What does Scoff Paper make?

Scoff Paper claims to make "the world's first edible cards for dogs".

The cards, which are priced at £5 and can also be eaten by humans, are flavoured and contain no rawhide.

Rawhide is made from the inner layer of cow or horse hides and is often made into dog treats - but can cause intestinal blockages and be a choking hazard.

Scoff Paper cards cover a variety of occasions such as birthdays, weddings and "gotcha days" - the term used by dog owners to celebrate the day they brought their pet pooch home.

Ingredients include potato starch, water, olive oil and natural food flavourings.

The company also uses packaging that "won't harm the planet". 

Scoff Cards can be bought on the shop's official website and are also available at Pets at Home, John Lewis, and some vet clinics.

When is Scoff Paper on Dragons' Den?

Dragons' Den viewers will see Gemma Connolly and Scoff Paper on the February 15 episode of the show.

The BBC series airs on Thursday evenings at 8pm and is also available for catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Sara Davies, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett all feature on the Dragons' Den 2024 panel.

Ahead of the episode featuring Scoff Paper, the company issued a statement to customers revealing that they were facing a huge amount of orders.

The message on the website read: "As you can imagine, we're a bit swamped with orders thanks to those Dragons!

"We're working as hard as we can to get your orders out, but there may be some slight delays.

"Thanks for being patient scoffers!"