Paved to Pines founders Mitchell Rosko (left) and Steven Glass (right) appear on CBC's Dragons' Den. (submitted photo/Paved to Pines)

By Alison Sandstrom

Local boys make good

Prince Albert duo to appear on Dragons’ Den

Dec 14, 2020 | 3:44 PM

A Prince Albert company specializing in custom camper vehicles makes its national television debut Thursday on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.

The appearance will be a highlight in what’s been a huge year for Paved to Pines founders Mitchell Rosko and Steven Glass.

Business has roughly tripled during the pandemic and even with doubling their capacity, Paved to Pines is booked around 15 months in advance, Rosko told paNOW.

“People are really starting to think about travelling a lot more locally, or just within Canada,” Rosko said. “And camper vans and school buses are definitely the best way to do that.”

Paved to Pines specializes in custom off-grid school bus conversions or “skoolies.” (submitted photo/Paved to Pines)

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When the pair was approached by a Dragons’ Den producer, they took the opportunity. Rosko explained both he and Glass have watched the show since they were kids and pitching the dragons is a dream they’d discussed since starting the company three years ago.

The show is filmed in Toronto, but because of the pandemic the Paved to Pines founders appeared in the den via video link. In August, the entrepreneurs travelled to Alberta to filmed in an Edmonton studio in front of a green screen. Glass explained the experience was an adrenaline rush.

“As soon as that camera turned on and we saw the dragons, I don’t think my ankles have ever quivered more,” he said.

Despite the nerves, he said the pitch couldn’t have gone better, although viewers will have to wait until Thursday night to see what the dragons thought of Paved to Pines.

“We knew our company inside and out, it’s something we do every day, so we just had a lot of fun with it, had some good laughs with the dragons and I think made a really good show for our company,” he said.

Paved to Pines has plans to expand and scale their business, doubling their shop size, something support from one of the dragons could certainly help with. However, the founders confirmed they have no plans to leave P.A.

The Dragons’ Den episode featuring Paved to Pines’ pitch will air Thursday at 8 p.m. on CBC and CBC Gem.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom