Shark Tank Master Thread, Episode Discussion

[Vigilante]

Red dress boutique... $1,000,000 a month.

The girl caddies... "Theres no way I am doing 50%... Would you take 40%?"

"No."

She so much wanted that to be more than an escort service...

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Shades]

Really liked this episode. The sales of the Red Dress and the Sunglass guys floored me. I often forget how many freakin people there are out there looking for all kinds of things. Sometimes I have a idea and think it wont work based on things that me and people in my own little world like or dont like. Just cant be closed minded to anything is what I got from this episode.

 

[AubreyJ]

I'll be honest... I don't know why... But everytime I get a call... Make a call... etc... My heart starts pounding 120 beats per minute... I don't know why.. This causes words to slip from my mouth.. Some words come out as gibberish that even I get embarrassed.. I don't know why...

I'm the exact same why- I used to do whatever I could to avoid talking on the phone, and now I force myself to do it. It's getting easier, but it still doesn't come natural. So I know exactly how you feel.

Red Dress Boutique was awesome- There business was incredibly impressive but I also just loved them. I hate when the entrepreneurs come in with a big head and a ridiculous valuation and the Red Dress Boutique owners where the exact opposite of that- loved it. And as a female who isn't the most fashion forward person in the world, the idea is excellent.

 

[The-J]

I think soapsox was pretty impressive with their sales. $300k? Wow. Just goes to show how you can literally run a business out of your living room with little to no money or connections.

I know, 2 weeks behind, but they should have taken the million and run. Someone is going to price em out and destroy them in retail. There are better products and they obviously didn't understand that their first deal ain't their last.

Sad.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[SeanyHang]

The guys with the sunglasses are terrible negotiators. lol

OMG, I was cringing watching that train-wreck. I'm by no means an EXPERT negotiator - but holy crap, I was yelling at the TV.

Red Dress Boutique was pretty incredible, I was so happy that they got a great deal. How do you think they run that business? I doubt she goes out and makes everything - maybe she just features up and coming designers and gives a discount on their clothing in exchange for exposure? Possibly private labeling - but that seems like quite the task when you've got new clothes ALL the time. Either way - super happy for them!

 

[rkmalo1]

Red dress boutique... $1,000,000 a month

This one really impressed me. Great pitch, maybe the best I have ever seen. Good investors, Mark and Robert are going to make a ton of money with this one and bring the exact experience they wanted.

I feel like this could be like Nasty gal (a $100mm+/yr revenue business). Actually I think this one will be worth more than Nasty Gal and they have an excellent chance of IPOing in the future (if that is their goal). Excellent use of social media and to think they haven't started any other marketing/analytics, etc. Wow. Four of my female friends had already "liked" their FB page when I checked it out.

I'll def be watching this company for future my personal investment purposes..

Edit: I also like the beginning of their story on their about page:

After working in a “secure but soul-crushing” cubicle job, and longingly drawing sketches and taking notes of different designers while watching E! at night, Diana Harbour saw that she had two options: practicality or freedom. Being more afraid of the consequences of staying in a job in which she was unhappy, than the uncertainty of embarking on a new journey, she began considering the possibility of starting her own business, and began an Ebay-based store out of her bedroom.

Maybe she has read TMF ?? Ok, I'll stop being a fanboy of this company now. haha

The guys with the sunglasses are terrible negotiators

Can't agree more. Horrible. Impressive sales/profit though. --- Just goes to show that ANYONE who masters importing any product and has the drive to out work others CAN do this.

 

[Milkanic]

I'm pretty sure the market for women's clothing/accessories is unlimited. It floors me how many businesses are successful in that market and they are all pretty similar.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[AllenCrawley]

Study Red Dress Boutique's social doings.

https://www.facebook.com/TheRedDressBoutique
https://twitter.com/ShopRedDress
http://www.pinterest.com/Shopreddress/
http://instagram.com/reddressboutique

$1,000,000 a month with no paid advertising and no slick sales funnels.

A truly product centered business with a unique offering. Bringing on Mark and Robert was an incredibly smart move. Very impressed with this husband and wife team. The sky is the limit for them.

 

[Red]

but holy crap, I was yelling at the TV.

I yell at the people on Shark Tank almost as much as I yell at pro football players.

 

[Shades]

Study Red Dress Boutique's social doings.

https://www.facebook.com/TheRedDressBoutique
https://twitter.com/ShopRedDress
http://www.pinterest.com/Shopreddress/
http://instagram.com/reddressboutique

$1,000,000 a month with no paid advertising and no slick sales funnels.

A truly product centered business with a unique offering. Bringing on Mark and Robert was an incredibly smart move. Very impressed with this husband and wife team. The sky is the limit for them.

If they want to, they will probably be able to cash out not too long from now.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Rawr]

Really liked this episode. The sales of the Red Dress and the Sunglass guys floored me. I often forget how many freakin people there are out there looking for all kinds of things. Sometimes I have a idea and think it wont work based on things that me and people in my own little world like or dont like. Just cant be closed minded to anything is what I got from this episode.

I had the same thing happen watching the Halloween scare biz update they did during this episode. They went from the scary trail which was beyond lame when I went on it at 26, but in markets where there is NOTHING to do and you have kids, its a license to print $$. Their scary camp idea is a great move, because it isn't seasonal any longer. Smart smart thinking and vision by that girl.


Reddress- I just wish I could be like that couple...that's just being good people personified right there, genuine reactions and happiness.

Golf thing will flop hard within 2 years IMO.




A short little interview w Robert. Skip to 4:30 for some really really good wisdom and perspective.

 

[RHL]

She so much wanted that to be more than an escort service...

Sadly, if you look at the website for it, that's basically what it is. You can tell that they're serious about being professional caddies because the Bio page has 80% of the women posing in bikinis.

 

[socaldude]

I really think the Caddie business should have taken that deal with Kevin.

The business is very copyable and has low barriers to entry.

The amount of copycats and competitors she is gonna have after that Shark Tank airing is gonna skyrocket.

Having $100k and having Kevin as a partner would have give her a competitive edge.

Not to mention the connections Kevin has with big corporations and financial institutions.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[AubreyJ]

I had the same thing happen watching the Halloween scare biz update they did during this episode. They went from the scary trail which was beyond lame when I went on it at 26, but in markets where there is NOTHING to do and you have kids, its a license to print $$. Their scary camp idea is a great move, because it isn't seasonal any longer. Smart smart thinking and vision by that girl.


Reddress- I just wish I could be like that couple...that's just being good people personified right there, genuine reactions and happiness.

Golf thing will flop hard within 2 years IMO.




A short little interview w Robert. Skip to 4:30 for some really really good wisdom and perspective.

I love Robert- My uncle was his personal chef for a period of time a few years ago and he is supposedly a really nice, humble guy. I have a massive amount of respect for all the Sharks, but I've always really liked Robert.

Sadly, if you look at the website for it, that's basically what it is. You can tell that they're serious about being professional caddies because the Bio page has 80% of the women posing in bikinis.

As a female, this is one thing that really annoys me. I hate whenever someone wants the respect from entrepreneurs, and they want to advertise their business as a legitimate company but then they do things like pose in bikinis, take risqué photos...etc. Or at least call it like it is, and don't try to make your company seem like something it's not.

I agree with what Lori said too, I feel like this is an accident waiting to happen- Caddy girls, plus alcohol, and groups of guys on the golf course- some sort of sexual harassment suit is just bound to happen.

 

[RHL]

The business is very copyable and has low barriers to entry.

Indeed: (Note: Possibly NSFW, this was just from a google search. Also, I'm obviously not affiliated in or encouraging patronizing any of these businesses).

http://www.waltersgolf.com/player-services/par-mates-female-caddies/

http://www.caddychicks.com/

http://www.eyecandycaddies.com/

http://theplatinumtees.com/

My feeling is that @socaldude is probably being too generous. There isn't a low barrier to entry, there is no barrier to entry, or as close as anything can come to no barrier and still make money. All you need is an attractive woman, a Weebly, and an ad at the local country club.

 

[RHL]

As a female, this is one thing that really annoys me. I hate whenever someone wants the respect from entrepreneurs, and they want to advertise their business as a legitimate company but then they do things like pose in bikinis, take risqué photos...etc.

I mean, I think in some markets female sexuality is a way people "cheat the grind" and gain popularity without much substance. There's absolutely no sane way to argue that YouTube channels like SSSniperWolf or BodyRock would ever have gotten as popular if the person hosting them was a guy, even an attractive one.

The problem is duplicitous representations of yourself. Nobody goes to Hooters for the food, and if your caddies are being hired for their skills, why are their measurements listed in their profile but nothing about significant games they've caddied or ways they assist players?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[socaldude]

I really hated the emergensee app.

So i'm gonna stick out my smartphone and record when I feel like i'm in danger so someone else can dial 911 for me?

I think it has a better use but with other contexts.

How about I just carry a handgun or pepper spray?

I thought it was unbelievable that they put $3 million into it, they got ripped off big time. They should have stayed in the old school industries not moved into the tech space.

 

[twdavis]

Last night's episode was decent.

On a side note I recently found this, it's probably the worst pitch on Shark Tank ever. It had me rolling!!!

 

[SYK]

The BeatBox Beverages crew used to bring their product to Longhorns tailgates. They'd do lay backs for everyone. Plenty of loose fun. I can see the buy in from the college crowd but blown away Cuban invested $1mil based given current sales.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[SYK]

On a side note I recently found this, it's probably the worst pitch on Shark Tank ever. It had me rolling!!!

I see your train wreck and raise you with this nuclear implosion from the UK version:

 

[MoneyDoc]

I don't know.. I didn't like the new episode.. Pitches really didn't excite me.

 

[Rawr]

Which episodes from this/past season have been worth watching?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[theag]

She so much wanted that to be more than an escort service...

Lots of upsell potential..

 

[Yeezy]

End of thread

 

[LOYD]

End of thread

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[rkmalo1]

10/31 thoughts

none of the products/entrepreneurs really jumped out to me but the here are the ones that I was at least interested in:

Titin weight shirts - I thought most of the sharks got this one wrong. Decent valuation, excellent sales figures. Overall good deal for Daymond.

Beardbrand - No one invested. I think he was wrong on his valuation at the time. I also don't think the sharks understood it. This guy needs to do some paid traffic though...

SingTrix - Founders are extremely smart and proven. I think the valuation scared most of the sharks off. Clearly they were just on the shark tank for the exposure. I'm sure they made a deal with another VC/angel.

 

[Seppo]

The beardbrand guy is a active 'redditor' too. There's some really good information to gather up from all of his threads over there. I'll list a few for you guys.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/1zmpvl/beardbrands_guide_to_building_a_brand/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/1tuan0/beardbrand_year_end_wrap_up_from_0month_to/

http://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/2bn32w/so_does_this_mean_im_a_millionaire_beardbrand/

I also read one of his comments earlier that he would make a thread about the whole Shark Tank experience. They are probably having crazy amount of sales right now.

 

[DeletedUser394]

That blond woman tonight is incredible. The amount of stuff she did in 90 days is INSANE. What a machine!!!

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[DeletedUser394]

double post!

 

[Beijing]

I just watched the Pinole Blue pitch from season 13, episode 14.

Lots to unpack. First of all, the valuation seemed crazy, given the sales, but especially the profits. But the biggest takeaway for me was how annoying the business professor was.

I'm guessing the reason she repeatedly embarrassed herself by begging for an investment was because she had visions of getting a big investment and justifying her value as a business professor. When all the sharks quickly went out, her whole legitimacy as an expert on business vaporized.

This is a solid case study on why you shouldn't spend four years doing a business degree.

Anyone else watch this episode?