I have received hundreds of emails and phone calls from entrepreneurs asking, “How did you get on Shark Tank?”
So, this is how I became a contestant on Shark Tank.
I received an email from a friend saying she saw a posting on Face Book that a new show was looking for mom entrepreneurs. The posting gave an email address for casting. (There is usually an email available on ABC’s website when they are casting. Shark Tank was also having casting calls at various locations and this was also posted on their site.)
For 5 days I sat on it and did not respond. I had sent so many emails out over the years trying to get media exposure that I thought it would just be another email sent out into the cyber wasteland abyss. But then a little voice said to me, “Go ahead Lori, it will only take a minute to drop them a line about your business.” So I did.
Here is the actual email I sent back to Shark Tank.
I have written and produced a line of children’s books and CDs designed to help children manage anxiety, anger, and stress while promoting self-esteem and peaceful sleep. I am the first to introduce research-based stress management techniques in this unique storytelling format. With added help from my husband I have generated enough sales to sustain our business for 5 years. We already have 6 beautiful hardcover books and 5 CDs. I need the funds to let the world know about our titles. Most of our sales are due to word of mouth and not the strategic marketing we need. I would also like to develop a line of bedding, DVDs, and multiple other products to help children manage anxiety. Our products continue to find new markets. We have been embraced by the Autism community, psychologists, child life care specialists, teachers, counselor, parents, military families, and most importantly children. With millions of children dealing with anxiety our market is endless. Please give me the chance to pitch my dream! There is a world of stressed out families waiting to hear about us!
Miracle of all miracles, I received an email response the same day, asking me a few questions.
I then received a phone call. I had to pitch my business again, only this time it was on the phone. I treated this and every subsequent phone call I received as though it was my once in a lifetime opportunity to convince the listener. One take, one chance.
I was asked to create a 5 minute video and send it in along with a questionnaire. I shot my video in one take. I made the decision to just start talking and see how it goes.
No script, I just spoke from the heart. I tried to be funny, raw, and enthusiastic. I never intended to get emotional. I was shocked that I started to cry when telling how I wrote my first story. It wasn’t perfect and we went over 5 minutes. I wanted to do it again and make it better and shorter. My husband refused declaring that it was perfect and it was a winner. One take, one chance.
Here is my audition video!
We sent the video tape and extensive questionnaire to ABC via UPS 2 day express. I wanted to get it there quickly and be able to track it.
At this point, I started to receive phone calls from various producers. Inevitably the call would come in while I was at a swim team meet or dance recital. I took every call and found as quiet a spot as possible to talk. Not an easy task when there are hundreds of kids at an event. One time I went out a side door at a recital and was locked out. Again, I treated each call as though it were the first and my only once in a lifetime opportunity to convince the listener.
Finally, the call came – I was going to LA to pitch to the sharks! Now my work really began. The first thing I did was research each shark. I printed out photos of Barbara, Daymond, Robert, Kevin O and Kevin H. I hung them up in my office (my kitchen). My plan was to get used to looking at them and feel as though they were already my partners. All day long I was face to face with the sharks!
Little did I know that this mantra of “one take-one chance” would serve me well when I stood before the sharks; Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, Kevin Harrington, and Kevin O’leary. There were no retakes on the set. If you forgot your pitch, you forgot your pitch in front of millions of viewers, the glaring eyes of the Sharks, and the unforgiving lights.
The whole process from my email to shoot was only about 2 months. I appeared on episode 3 of Shark Tank and faced the sharks on August 23rd 2009. I took a deep breath and pitched my heart out.
Lori Lite preparing at home with the Sharks
I recently appeared again on Shark Tank on January 8th. The show gave me an opportunity to relate how appearing on it had impacted my business.
Overall, the Shark Tank experience has been a positive one, with the show providing Stress Free Kids with exceptional exposure. It was an exhilarating adventure.
Here’s the link to ABC’s Shark Tank!