Highlights
- Shark Tank has been earning the praise of its audiences for over a decade.
- The judges panel of this entrepreneurial show looked very different in its debut season.
- Find out if your favorite Shark was an active member of the cast in its launch year.
Shark Tank has been making headlines in the entrepreneurial sphere since its launch in 2009. The refreshing concept of pitching products and getting funds from the Sharks was game-changing. The reality show, along with a powerful Shark Tank cast, earned immense love and appreciation from global viewers.
But did you know that the panel of judges that appeared in its first-ever season did not include famous Sharks like Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner? This blog will offer you exciting insights related to the Shark Tank cast of season 1, including their critical investments.
1. Barbara Corcoran
The real estate queen Barbara Corcoran has been an active Shark Tank panelist since its debut season. Throughout the season, she exhibited strong business acumen alongside her warm, humane side.
Her incredibly supportive nature earned the trust of many entrepreneurs. But there were also instances when Barbara expressed constructive criticism and pointed out flaws. Ionic Ear and WiSpots are the perfect examples of this.
She also brought out her best negotiating skills and encashed opportunities where her fellow Sharks did not believe in the potential of a business. One such example is the Pork Barrel BBQ. None of the Sharks except Barbara thought of it.
But Barbara didn’t sway even a bit when the entrepreneurs offered a counter to her equity demand of 50%. The offer was then locked for $50K at 50% equity of the company.
At the end of the season, her most successful deal was Coverplay, which is still in business. Its sales by 2021 were $1 million.
2. Robert Herjavec
Robert Herjavec is another member of the current Shark Tank cast who started his journey in the first season. Although bearing a history in the technological landscape, he explored investment opportunities in a wide variety of businesses.
But unlike fellow Sharks, Robert was less aggressive and was often regarded as the ‘nice’ Shark of them all. He did not shy away from showing his empathetic side, especially with entrepreneurs who came from humble beginnings. He related with them on a personal level.
Some examples of the same are Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory and LifeBelt. Robert even offered a massive $1 million at 100% of the patent for LifeBelt’s Robert Allison. The deal did not fall through eventually.
Robert’s notable investment of the first season was for a barbeque product called Grill Charms. He offered $50K for 20% equity.
3. Kevin O’Leary
Since the first season, ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Kevin O’Leary quickly cemented his role as a bold and brutal investor. In the fourteen episodes of the season, he demonstrated multiple layers of his personality, which were loved by the audiences.
Kevin was one of the few judges who did not hesitate to give an honest opinion about his take on a business. When he felt an entrepreneur’s valuation was outrageous, he did not shy away from expressing his views on the same. One example of this is the Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory episode.
But what made Kevin a ‘wonderful’ investor was that even if he was skeptical about a business, he did praise the entrepreneurs for their efforts. An example of this is ‘A Perfect Pear.’
One of Kevin’s impressive deals from season 1 included Classroom Jams. He proposed $250K at 10% equity for the musical studio and publishing business, along with a 5% royalty on the published songs.
4. Daymond John
Daymond John has been a regular in the Shark Tank cast with his appearances since the first-ever season of the popular show. He is often regarded to be one of the calmest minds on the show who brings forth a strong background in the fashion vertical.
Similar to his counterpart Robert Herjavec, Daymond refrained from heated debates and arguments with other panelists. With his calm demeanor, he patiently listened to the many pitches brought by different entrepreneurs.
Daymond often showcased a dedicated focus on investing in product-based businesses. Additionally, he usually joined hands with fellow judges, mainly if the entrepreneur had multiple requirements, including marketing and distribution.
He felt an instant connection with entrepreneurs who presented resilience and work ethic, as he thought these were crucial factors that guided his entrepreneurial journey.
One critical investment secured by Daymond was a joint deal with Barbara for the baking venture, Mr. Tod’s Pie Factory. He offered $460K for 50% equity of the company.
5. Kevin Harrington
Not many viewers are aware but infomercial veteran Kevin Harrington was one of the prominent Shark Tank cast members in its debut season. He didn’t appear in any more seasons after this.
So, if you’re a new Shark Tank viewer, here’s all you need to know about him:
Kevin Harrington made his distinguished presence among the judges by showcasing his robust understanding of businesses catering to the infomercial space. His expertise in product promotion and consumer marketing shaped his personality on the show as a Shark.
Kevin’s ability to identify potential successes and a clear-cut approach while giving feedback made him stand out from his competitors. His critiques were majorly rooted in marketing and sales; he clearly stated if a business would fail in sales later on.
A notable Shark Tank deal by Kevin was for Body Jac, a brand focused on uplifting fitness through its bands assisting do push-ups. In a joint deal along with Barbara, he offered $180K for 50% equity.
To Conclude
The original Shark Tank cast presented a wide range of personas to the audiences. It was the variety of skills and negotiation strategies that collectively contributed towards the landmark success of the season, which continues to date.
Be it Barbara, Kevin Harrington, Daymond, Kevin O’Leary, or Robert, the dynamic personalities of each of the judges laid the solid foundation for the show’s continued popularity.
Entrepreneur, auteur, raconteur. Rob Merlino is a blogger and writer who enjoys the Shark Tank TV show and Hot Dogs. A father of five who freelances in a variety of publications, Rob has a stable of websites including Shark Tank Blog, Hot Dog Stories, Rob Merlino.com and more.
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