Appearing on Shark Tank — ABC’s Emmy-award-winning reality TV show — can rattle even the most experienced entrepreneurs.
So, imagine what it would be like stepping in front of billionaire Mark Cuban, venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary and the other sharks as a 15-year-old entrepreneur?
That’s what faced Spokane high-schooler Brooke Martin, who will appear in this Friday’s episode of the hit TV show to pitch her innovative dog treat dispensing system.
GeekWire readers are probably well aware of Martin, who wowed the crowd at the GeekWire Summit last year, taking top honors in our “Inventions We Love” segment. (Watch her impressive pitch to the crowd of more than 800 below).
Of course, we’ll have to wait until the show airs on Friday (9 p.m. on ABC) to find out if Martin had the same impact on the sharks as she did on the GeekWire Summit audience.
But, until then, Martin — who is hosting a Shark Tank viewing party at the McKinstry Innovation Center Friday night — offered some insights on what it was like appearing on the show.
And, before, you ask, Martin is not the youngest person to appear in front of the sharks. That honor goes to 6-year-old Kiowa Kavovit from Studio City, California, who pitched the product Boo Boo Goo.
What was your strategy for pitching the Sharks?
“When I was preparing to go on the show, I would ask myself: ‘Which Shark might offer us a deal?’ and ‘How do we tailor the pitch to fit that Shark’s preferences?’ However, the closer I came to entering the Tank, I began to reconsider my thinking and asked myself: ‘Which Shark do we want to make a deal with? Which Shark has the vision and approach that complements the goals of our company?’ I realized that it isn’t about doing whatever it takes to get the deal, but about doing what it takes to find the right person to form an ideal partnership. In the end, our strategy was fairly simple and straight forward: We went in with a strong and sincere belief in our product, open minds and honesty.”
How did you feel on the set? Were you nervous?
“At first it was really exciting to be there in person where the Sharks have reigned powerfully for so many seasons of the show! But with all of the last minute details and rehearsals, that excitement soon turned in to intense focus. We were highly motivated to make sure that all of the pieces came together correctly. When I stepped in to ‘The Tank’ alongside iCPooch CEO James Pelland, I felt oddly calm. I realized that I had to rely on my instincts and my passion for the business to lead me through my encounter with the Sharks. Of course I was very nervous — because after years of watching the show, it seems like it would have been strange if I wasn’t! However, I didn’t expect that the nerves would evolve into a sort of tranquil composure.”
How were you chosen to be the show?
“The producers came across iCPooch online and were very excited at the thought of having us on the show. They called and left a message for me to please get in touch with them. I was thrilled when I finally reached them and learned they were interested in having iCPooch on the show. Our product wasn’t yet for sale, so we had to work extra hard to have it ready to go to market by the time our episode taped in early September. I read in an article recently that close to 50,000 try out each year, and fewer than 100 actually make it to Los Angeles for the taping. I’m extremely proud and humbled to have been selected to be on the show.”
What did you learn from the experience?
“After months of preparation, excitement and anticipation of the chance to be part of Shark Tank, actually being there was a surreal experience. I learned so many great things from my experience preparing for the show and from being in the ‘Tank’. The time leading up to my pitch helped to strengthen my patience and the tenacity within me as it relates to the process of preparation. I also realized how blessed I have been throughout my iCPooch journey to have found such supportive and knowledgeable mentors and supporters – all of whom have been crucial to getting iCPooch to where it is today.”
What was the experience like?
“This experience was extremely unique and like nothing else I have ever encountered. It was stressful, nerve-wracking, and strenuous, but above all I learned so much from the experience and am so grateful to have been provided the opportunity. It was a dream come true to be able to stand in front of the Sharks and pitch my company to them! I have always been a huge fan of the show, so it was rewarding and incredibly humbling to be able to stand where so many accomplished entrepreneurs have stood before me.”
Here’s Brooke Martin pitching the product at the GeekWire Summit.
