Such good fortune has not been wasted on me. I am now deep into the process and truly, truly love it. The exposure from the show and value in having Mark Cuban as an investor set the stage for me to begin the process of educating parents on why their kids should not use hair products made for adults. Prior to appearing on the show, I struggled to overcome the common assumption (and huge sales barrier) that I had whipped up a batch of hair gel in my kitchen sink. While Shark Tank didn’t make me an overnight millionaire, it changed my business and my life. I believe there are lessons, messages and meaning in almost everything and try to grow and rise regardless of my circumstance. The constant barrage of financial questions from viewers didn’t help, but rather drove me deeper into the darkness of shame. So while the increase was significant, I still felt like a failure. When I stood in the tank, I had made about $20,000 (hence the lovely green hue of inexperience). The updates were inspiring I was certain the world would love my concept and Hot Tot would become an overnight success worthy of a mind-blowing update. Each episode included an update, a chance to see what had happened to some of the businesses from previous seasons after the Shark Tank Effect had occurred. Like many, I prepared to stand in the tank by watching reruns of the show. But I was ashamed, as it wasn’t anywhere near the million dollar mark I had expected.
Hot tot hair care full#
The month my company appeared on Shark Tank, it made more than I had earned in an entire year as a full time, master’s level social worker. What I didn’t realize, however, was that standing in the tank would allow almost anyone to freely ask about my company’s finances and feel entitled to such private information. I knew my numbers and wasn’t bothered or intimidated when it came to sharing them with the Sharks. Knowing your numbers is a key element to finding success in the Shark Tank. While I have joked that I missed my lightning bolt of luck by simply sitting in the wrong seat, I have come to understand the grace in unanswered prayers. They have done exceedingly well and are one of the show’s greatest success stories. The mother / daughter duo from Wicked Good Cupcakes were also in that van. Me, a social worker and mom who recognized my path and had the courage to pursue it. Against the odds, I was preparing to take the biggest business stage in the world.
We anxiously joked that one of us was about to make it very, very big. Producers asked us not to discuss our businesses so instead we engaged in small talk. The day of taping, I rode to the studio in a van with several other nervous contestants. But I felt ready for success and believed I would soon be an overnight Shark Tank millionaire. I didn’t even know what I didn’t know yet. When I stood in the tank, I was green with inexperience. My story is the perfect example of something that shouldn’t work… yet it does. My gratitude has grown over the years and I am starting to believe that my purpose may not have anything to do with shampoo, but rather may lie in my ability to demystify the process so that others might pursue their dreams. I will never stop wondering why such good fortune was bestowed upon me.
Hot tot hair care professional#
But I would be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that legitimizing professional kid’s hair products, an emerging segment of the salon industry, has been far more difficult than I ever could have imagined. Make no mistake, I love (really love!) what I do. And the giver of such “gifts” isn’t necessarily concerned with what we want. But, I am a true believer that we get what we need when we need it. In the spirit of full disclosure, the cultivation of such patience has not been a completely blissful experience. But this experience has cultivated a patience in me that didn’t used to exist. Don’t get me wrong, I still plan for the future and am constantly contemplating my next move. And while it sounds cliche, I realize that the journey matters far more than the ultimate destination. It is hard to believe so much time has passed! Wow.Īs I reflect on lessons and progress, I am beginning to understand the transformation that takes place when walking an entrepreneurial path. For anyone who isn’t familiar, you can get a bit more information about the episode here. Four years ago today, Hot Tot Children’s Haircare was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank.
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