'Shark Tank': Tania Speaks, 19, hailed as future shark by a 'humbled' Kevin O'Leary
Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful and Mark Cuban are two of the toughest Sharks to impress on 'Shark Tank'. Tania Speaks managed to do the unimaginable. The 19-year-old not only 'humbled' Kevin but also got Mark all choked up and emotional after presenting her pitch for her organic skincare brand - Tania Speaks Organic Skincare.
The 19-year-old entrepreneur entered the tank seeking $400,000 for a 10% stake in her brand. Tania revealed how after being bullied pretty badly by her peers at school for her bushy eyebrows, she turned the traumatic incident into a motivator and worked hard to develop an eyebrow gel. Her eyebrow gel not helped stimulated hair growth but also tamed the brows. It was an instant success, which had even her bullies lining up to buy a pot of gel. The success of her eyebrow gel prompted her to develop other skincare products such as beard growth oil, cleanser, toners, moisturizer, etc.
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While the Sharks were already impressed by her inspiring backstory, they were further impressed when she revealed that she made $1 million in sales last year and made $1.4 million in sales this year, their jaws dropped to the floor. The icing on the cake was when she shared that she netted $700,000. The Sharks were left speechless when she went on to share how it cost her $1.50 to manufacture the gel, but she sold it for $26. Kevin was so impressed by her entrepreneurial skills that he declared he was "humbled" by her, and even went on to predict that she would be a future Shark sitting in the panel with them very soon.
Mark too was pretty impressed by her business-savvy skills and impeccable personality. He advised her to get her products lab-tested to back up the claims of the gel stimulating hair growth in 3 weeks just to insulate herself from any lawsuits in the future. He, however, decided to sit out on the deal as he felt that it wasn't his area of expertise. Similarly, Kevin and other Sharks sat out as they couldn't see how they could add any value to her already booming business.
Just as Tania was ready to leave the tank without a deal, Mark stepped in and saved the day. He was surprised with his fellow Sharks for not making a deal with her, despite skincare not being his niche area, he still wanted to help Tania with the legalities of her business, so he made an offer. He asked for a 20% stake in exchange for the $400,000 investment. He also added two contingencies to his offer, he choked up while stating them. Mark requested Tania to meet his two daughters and spend some time with them so they could all learn from each other. Tania was flattered by Marks' offer to meet his daughters, she happily accepted that but renegotiated the offer by tweaking it to a 15% stake in exchange for $400,000. Mark happily accepted and closed the deal.
Tania left the tank grinning from ear to ear declaring that she got the best possible outcome from her pitch on 'Shark Tank'. Fans too were impressed by Tania and her pitch. A fan tweeted, "I am loving Tonja’s pitch on #SharkTank 19 y/o Genius! You Better Werk!!!!" "So proud of this cute black girl, Tania,who is only 19 and already amazing #SharkTank," expressed a fan. Another fan added, "She’s not really here to ask for money. She’s looking for next level guidance. Thank You @mcuban for understanding Tania. #SharkTank." Kevin himself took to Twitter and wrote, "It’s hard to make Mr. Wonderful humbled, but I really am. Seeing such a young entrepreneur who’s had massive success and is already gearing up to take off higher… #SharkTank."
I am loving Tonja’s pitch on #SharkTank 19 y/o Genius! You Better Werk!!!!
— #BrittFit50🧢 #BIWOP #Advocacy #Equity #Inclusion (@brijh) January 22, 2022
So proud of this cute black girl, Tania,who is only 19 and already amazing 🤩😍 #SharkTank
— KeYuanna Greenleaf™ (@KEYW0RD) January 22, 2022
She’s not really here to ask for money. She’s looking for next level guidance. Thank You @mcuban for understanding Tania. #SharkTank
— #BrittFit50🧢 #BIWOP #Advocacy #Equity #Inclusion (@brijh) January 22, 2022
It’s hard to make Mr. Wonderful humbled, but I really am. Seeing such a young entrepreneur who’s had massive success and is already gearing up to take off higher… #SharkTank
— Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) January 22, 2022
'Shark Tank' Season 13 airs every Friday at 8/7c on ABC.
Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, you can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.