Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I get that impression as well, Mr. Wonderful is not seriously interested in handing out too many deals. I think he's happier stirring the pot and becoming a celebrity by this show.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I'd like to give one of those Caddy Girls a try.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

That Red Dress chick was really pretty, but that was one out of control left eyebrow.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Nothing too exciting this episode. The Red Dress couple have done an amazing job on their own, so it's interesting to see if they can take it to the next level with the sharks.

The only other one that was mildly interesting was the Caddie Girls, and that doesn't seem all that unique. It could easily be duplicated and ripped off, especially after this episode.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Haven't started watching the new season of Shark Tank yet, but on a related note, the new season of the Canadian Dragon's Den started recently, minus the contemptible O'Leary (good riddance!) and the likable Bruce Croxon (who left for reasons I don't know). New Dragons are chef Vikram Vij and financier Michael Wekerle. I watched the first episode and liked what I saw with the new Dragons. Vij hasn't put a personal stamp on the show so far, but Wekerle is a quirky fellow, and the last wisps of O'Leary's noxious presence have been cleared from the set.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Caddy Girls is cool. Good for them for turning it into a business. But it seems like it'd be all kind of problems. And we don't need to discuss why.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

As much as I dislike O'Leary personally, I always thought he was the best dragon. He never took the show too serious and was funny. I like the way he never got sanctimonious like the rest of those crybabies (I'm still irritated by the episode years ago where some guy came on pitching a medical marijuana product and all the dragons save Leary were scandalized, comparing him to a heroin pusher.)

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I only vaguely recall the segment you're talking about, but O'Leary is the type who will make a buck off anything if he can. He has no moral compass. And he seems to be really like that (it's not just a put-on for TV), if you listen to him on the Lang-O'Leary Exchange. Is that still on? I started a thread in Other recently about psychopathy. O'Leary is a perfect fit as a corporate psychopath. I would put money on his being a clinical psychopath, which is not to say he's going around killing or physically hurting people, just stepping over them for his gain.

The others on Dragon's Den are all shrewd business people, but they take stands against pitches that offend their morals. It may sound sanctimonious to you, but to me it's ethical investing. There have been a number of such instances over the years. Even Jim, who is probably the second-most business-oriented panelist on the show, has taken umbrage a number of times. It's a shame Brett Wilson left the show a couple of years ago, but he objected to the "yelling at people" format, apparently. He was unquestionably the most genuinely decent and kind of the Dragons, followed by Arlene, who is a sweetheart, but hardnosed as well. I read recently that Brett's cancer has returned. I wish him well.
As to not taking the show too seriously, I think they all joke around quite a bit. Chilton, who comes across as very serious and stiff, has a dry sense of humour that isn't readily detectable.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

My thoughts exactly. The Red Dress couple seemed really on top of things and I think that partnership is only going to help them.

I was surprised to see in the update that horror experience woman doing well with Mark Cuban's help. Honestly I didn't think too much of it last year and thought Mark overpaid.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I agree with everything you said about O'Leary. I only saw one Lang and O'Leary segment, and he came off like such a buffoon, doing nothing but cracking jokes to cover up the fact he clearly knew nothing about the topic at hand, I never watched again.

I still have issues with the other Dragons, but perhaps I should start a Dragon's Den thread for that.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Caddy Girls was a great idea but considering the potential issues, it's best for the sharks to stay away. And since it's so easy to duplicate I can't imagine it'll scale a whole lot. She has a good business on her hands though. It'll be plenty successful.

The Red Dress couple were really impressive and they got a really good deal. But when I watch this show I like to see companies that are just getting under way not one that is already very successful.

The update on the halloween horror show was great. That camp out sounds awesome.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Caddy Girls is local and kind of makes me want to learn to play golf. :lol:

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I checked. It seems he decamped that show for more lucrative waters as well. Lang hosts on her own now.
I don't think anyone here would be offended with a periodical digression about Dragon's Den. After all, Shark's Tank poached two of D.D.'s people. As DVDTalk is populated 95% by Americans, a separate Dragon's Den thread would quickly die off.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

It's basically an escort service, minus any fun. :)

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I liked the Horse Pants.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

It does fill a gap in the market. I get jealous around horses.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

rotfl

Not sure what Cuban was doing on the box drink. Rare time where someone goes in valuing $2M and a Shark values it at $3M and buys. He must have really liked the taste of it.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Something he can sell at his Basketball games?

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

At least. I think he saw huge potential and went off that.

It's sweet booze, geared towards young people. I think it'll sell itself.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

That segment was edited a bit strangely, I suspect we did not get the full conversation. Three sharks were making serious offers and Cuban desperately wanted the company. I don't think the television audience got their full financial story. There must have been some kind of hidden value that got glossed over.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I liked that olive oil guy and was sorry he didn't get a deal. That said, there is a shop exactly like his in Chicago, so it's not exactly novel. Maybe what Kevin was alluding to when he talked about there being options in NY, SF, Chicago, etc.

http://www.oldtownoil.com/

Founded in 2007, so the Shark Tank guy may well have been first.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I haven't watched the episode yet, but there's a place here in AZ that's been around for nearly two decades: http://www.queencreekolivemill.com/our-story

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I think Cuban just wanted on board and is interested in making those kind of deals to motivate people and create a positive atmosphere.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

One of the biggest successes in the alcohol business in the last few years was Skinny Girl, a line of low calorie bottled cocktails. It was sold to Jim Beam 2 years after it was launched for a price(there's some dispute about this because it was never publicly revealed) that was estimated to be close to $100 million+.

I googled the product(beatboxbeverages.com) and one of the main product features is that it is a low calorie product(120 calories per serving). In fact, they specifically compare it to Skinny Girl on the website. That wasn't really highlighted on the show, but it's a big marketing angle and it's an area of huge growth in a pretty sluggish industry. If I were them, I would have played up the Skinny Girl comparisons more, but it's possible that they did and it was just edited out.

This must have seemed like a no-brainer to Cuban, --you have an already successful unique(I had never heard of orange wine being used as a base) regional product that just needs a boost to expand distribution(according to the website it is only direct in Texas, and is sold online in some other states). You ramp the sales, develop the product line a little more, and you can sell out for a big payday to any number of global alcohol players, who can then run it through their own vast distribution channels.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

the name of the wine is terrible. The target audience/consumer probably has no idea what a beatbox was.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Skinny Girl was a unique success because the woman behind it had a television show built around her which became very popular in certain demographics. Beatbox will not have that kind of exposure at all.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Wait, what? Their product was just exposed to about seven million people. I mean I get what you're saying, Skinny Girl relates to people who watch Real Housewives, but I can honestly say after watching it, that if I saw Beatbox in a liquor store, if the price was reasonable, I'd buy it. And I probably wouldn't if I hadn't seen it on Shark Tank.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Exactly, not to mention that the show is going to be rerun numerous times.

Looking more at the web site, it also seems like one of the interesting things you can do is stick the bag in the freezer for frozen margaritas. It's also kind of funny they have a recipe for a "purple cocktail" probably a play on "purple drank"(minus the cough syrup!)

I do think they need a better profile of flavors, and might need a non boxed version down the road.

I'm sure Cuban has a lot of contacts in the alcohol industry because of his ownership of the Mavericks, so he can easily leverage the distribution and then flip the company at the right time.

I disagree with that, if you look at the website, they are definitely aiming the product at the college/young adult party crowd.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I think Cuban got a good deal for the Wine drink. He can mark up those babies up at Mavs games and they will sell like hot cakes for his younger customers/fans. Plus, the profit margin is going to be really high with the cash he's putting in and increased manufacturing capabilities.

I really felt bad for the Olive oil guy. He made a good presentation, but on the other hand, Olive Oil in retail seems kind of niche and I can see how some of the sharks would be hesitant.

I didn't like Honeyfund. Honestly, I don't quite get the dynamics of it and how it's going to continue to be profitable. I guess Kevin's investment is win win for him since he's essentially giving that couple a loan.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I have a friend on HoneyFund right now. I think it's tacky as hell. Hey, we can't afford a honeymoon, so fund it for us!

The concept isn't terrible (getting a massage on the beach is better than a toaster) but it's a pretty big hurdle to get over the tacky factor.

I don't drink yet wanted to go buy some after seeing the shark's reaction to the taste.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Why is it tacky? People give money as wedding gifts all the time. This just consolidates that to one place so they don't have to deal with cash.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I think Honeyfund is a good idea but I agree with the sharks that just expanding into different "funds" rather than concentrating on the one that works is a real bad idea. They already have kickstarter to compete with, who they'd never surpass. Stick with the one that was working and make yourself the biggest player in that space.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I agree. Instead of looking through a registry to find a toaster or whatever (that they'll probably return anyway), this seems way simpler.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

This crowdfunding stuff is sort of the 21st century equivalent of panhandling.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

When I got married, I probably received 5 presents and 95 checks on the wedding day.

The pattern appeared to be:

Bed Bath & Beyond registry crap = shower gifts
Money = wedding gifts

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Are you applying that logic to Honeyfund as well?

My wife and I got married two years ago, after living together for around 8 years. We already have every needed household item, and Honeyfund worked for us, because we wanted cash to use towards our honeymoon.

9/10 guests just ended up giving us cash, but Honeyfund was used and people generally liked it. People were going to give us gifts anyhow, so I don't see how using Honeyfund would be seen as panhandling.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Yeah if you've been together and have all the household stuff you desire, I can see Honeyfund being the way to go.

I think part of my issue is the low rent nature of the site. It just looks cheap. That perception is even worse seeing how these guys are doing pretty well with it. Invest some of that shit into a site that doesn't look like it's out of 1998.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

Funny seeing the Guitar Hero guys just tank. They had 4 offers on the table and just fucking blew it.

Not sure why the Sharks thought the weight vest guy was a jerk. Didn't seem any different than other people on the show. I'm with Cuban though, it seemed pretty fucking hokey, especially with all the ridiculous claims. That doesn't make him a jerk though, just someone trying to peddle his ware.

The belt lady seemed on the verge of tears the entire time. Not good with confrontation. She has a great product, someone else needs to be in charge though knocking on Wal-Mart and Target's doors. She just doesn't seem like she has the drive or even personality to take it up a notch.

Beard guy... this is an odd one. I see Laurie's point about a narrow market but as someone with a beard I was intrigued until he put up the $30 a bottle number for a measly couple of ounces. Holy shit. He just narrowed that tiny market even further. If he's really making a 90% profit on it, there's no reason he couldn't make that bottle a little bigger and the price more attractive.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I think they were just piling on the weight vest guy. He was in full marketing mode and wasn't really answering any of their questions. His sales were extremely impressive so I'm not sure why they decided to pick on him.

I also thought they were crazy to knock the belt girl. She has a good product and needed the help. I'm glad she got a deal.

I'm wondering how much the Guitar Hero guys made off their deal with Activision. Their product was pretty cool for the price but I was really having a hard time figuring out why they wanted a shark. They either had a really bad experience in the past or they just wanted the exposure and had no intention of coming to a deal. I'm thinking the latter.

The beard thing is such a niche product that I can't really see how it would grow to something that would interest the sharks. This is another product that will benefit from being on the show.

Re: Shark Tank (ABC) -- Series Thread Part II
 

I personally thought the weight vest was brilliant. I have friends who buy those uncomfortable weight vests that shift all around and this looked like a top notch product to me. Market to the crazy Crossfit cult that is going on right now and it will clean up. Cuban was just being an ass for whatever reason. And I saw no reason for Mr. Wonderful to call the guy a douchebag to his face unless there was some seriously heavy editing going on there.