Shark Tank

You've probably heard of ABC's hit show Shark Tank. Shark Tank is an entrepreneur-based show where entrepreneurs pitch their companies to investors in hopes of landing an investment. If the sharks like the idea, they agree to invest their own money for a certain percentage of the owner's company. One shark may invest, or multiple sharks may partner with each other in ownership. Friday's Shark Tank got real because Christopher Gray, owner of a scholarship app that helps students secure funding for college and graduate school agreed to a deal with Daymond John and Lori Greiner.  The catch was that he had to take Lori's offer immediately or she was out. Christopher almost missed out on a deal because he hesitated. He was like "I'd like to hear the other offers first." That's fine, but when opportunity presents itself, not all the time can you think about it. Sometimes, you have to take the deal and then find out the terms.

Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, & Kevin O'Leary were in their feelings because Daymond and Lori offered Christopher a deal without asking questions about the company. I understand where they're coming from, but I also see where Lori and Daymond's side. Cuban, O'Leary and Herjavec didn't get to where they are by investing all willy nilly. They got where they are by being disciplined investors. They asked tough questions to entrepreneurs because they want to know if they invest, when will they get their money back, and how. Also, they ask questions to gauge how much of a contribution they can be to that person's business. It makes good business sense to ask before you invest. From Lori & Daymond's standpoint, sometimes you have to give people a break. Very few people became successful on their own; most people had doors opened for them to get where they are. We all need a handout from time to time, especially if the successful person knows what it's like to struggle, and (s)he sees that we're trying to make it. It's not always about money, but it's about giving people the break they need.