ABC Shark Tank Kevin Harrington Shares His Wisdom
I spent a few days in Miami at the Pro Athletes Business Summit and I actually was voted to pitch my deal, Children's Educational Network, to a few sharks including Kevin Harrington. One of the Shark investors on ABC's Shark Tank TV Show and he loved my pitch and agreed to give me an interview and share some of his wisdom.
He was a very nice and I am glad I got to know him. He has been in the infomercial business for 25 years and had had over $4 billion in revenues from his infomercial! He is looking for more products he can bring to market, so if you think you have a product that would be worthy on mass marketing on TV check out his site at www.TVGoods.com and tell him Greg Writer sent me!
I was not aware that in 1987, Kevin and a group of young entrepreneurs including Michael Dell, of Dell Computers, and Ted Leonsis, of AOL, teamed up to create the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, or EO (formerly known as the Young Entrepreneurs’ Organization), and today it has grown to over 7,000 members worldwide, with 113 chapters in 38 countries with more than 924,000 members. The EO is recognized as a catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life.
So there's proof he has been an entrepreneur advocate for decades! Thanks Kevin, we appreciate your efforts!
Here's his bio for your review.
Kevin Harrington, CEO of TVGoods.com, LLC, is widely acknowledged as the pioneer and principal architect of the “infomercial” industry. Since producing the industry’s first infomercial in the 1980s, Harrington has financed more than 500 product launches resulting in sales of more than $4 billion worldwide with 20 products reaching individual sales of over $100 million each, and creating dozens of millionaires.
Harrington got his start in direct TV marketing with his company Quantum International, which after merging with National Media in 1991 grew to over $500 Million in annual sales with distribution in over 100 countries in 20 languages. Harrington was the pioneer responsible for setting up international infrastructure worldwide which lays the groundwork for today’s infomercial industry. He had offices in: London, Tokyo, Sao Paolo, Brazil, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
After leaving Quantum, Harrington had several other successful infomercial ventures including HSN Direct with Home Shopping Network before founding TVGoods in 2005.
He subsequently raised more than $20 million in capital from a New York hedge fund in a venture, which then acquired Tampa’s premiere film studio where TVGoods is headquartered. The studio is located in Clearwater, Florida, featuring a 33,000 square state of the art production studio on 5.4 acres.
Regarded as a tireless entrepreneur with a talent for identifying blockbuster products, Harrington’s business was a case study that was chronicled and taught for over 12 years at Harvard/MIT, called “The Rise, The Fall and The rise of Quantum International.” The case study is used as a teaching guide about what it means to be a grass-roots entrepreneur in a fiercely competitive industry.
In his latest venture, Harrington is an investor on a new ABC show called “Shark Tank”, in which budding entrepreneurs compete in pitching their potentially moneymaking ideas to business experts in hopes of securing investment financing. The show is owned by SONY Pictures and produced by Mark Burnett.
Harrington is uniquely qualified as an investor/shark because of his involvement over his career in a wide range of industries. As a young entrepreneur at the age of 19, Harrington launched and operated a successful company that reached $1 million in annual sales and employed 25 people, all while still in college. In 1979, he started Franchise America, a franchise consulting and brokerage business, through which he sold thousands of businesses, giving him insight to the inner workings of dozens of industries; from restaurants to retail to small manufacturing, etc.
Harrington’s book, ACT NOW!, explains how he innovatively turns ideas into million-dollar products. It is available through Amazon and at bookstores nationwide. Examples of popular products available through TVGoods.com currently are: Tony Little fitness, George Foreman cleaning, Jay “the Juice Daddy” Kordich Health, Flying Lure fishing, Wolfman Jack music, and the Dual Saw, marketed by the late legendary pitchman Billy Mays. One TVGoods.com product, the Air-Cutter, a precision vacuum haircutting system, will be featured in the upcoming film Father of Invention starring Kevin Spacey.
Harrington is proud to have founded two of the most important global networking associations in the marketplace, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) and the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA).
Greg Writer is the entrepreneurs investor and one of my favorite people in the world.
I love your interview, Greg. You give Shark Tank credibility… I’m watching it now… and it’s awesome!
Tom Wood
Investor
http://www.genewize.com
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I Juanita Hinton need a business partner,to help me market my clothing line.
please respond.
i am looking for some one to promote my products for sure. contact me 5735759275. let me know how we can benefit each other from this!
Hey Greg!
Great Interview. It was a pleasure to meet you guys in Hollywood. It was a great experience and you made the shark pit fun! You need to put the shark pit video on your site too!
Talk soon!
Sherri Morris
Digi Time Capsule
http://www.digitimecapsule.com
Hey Greg!
Great interview! It was a true pleasure to meet you in Hollywood…It was an awesome experience. You need to put some of the shark pit video on your site!
Sherri Morris
Digi Time Capsule
Greg, it was so much fun having you with the rest of us at the Pitch Tank. You made the experience a memorable one. I look forward to seeing more of Children’s Educational Network. I know you’ll keep your promise to work with Kevin! Great interview.
A horrible tragedy this was. We lost the worlds greatest TV icon. Billy Mays was far more helpful, charismatic, and memorable than Patrick Swayze whom the who loves to remember. We need to remember a man who ALWAYS got your attention. Who brought out the best in everything he touched. Who we looked up to, who we imitated, and loved in his life as we shall continue to in his death. A death which leaves the world in comparative silence, in the wake of his strong voice. RIP, Billy Mays
i need investers to sit and talk with me i have an proter type that i know will be usedful in the market today a lilltle money to make and ship and most of all to produce
Seeking capital to fund 3 new locations and to begin franchising our concept.
Join us on this webinar and we can answer your questions: http://sharktanktvshow.com/ask-the-expert-webinar/
Thanks
Greg
i would love to attend ur show to introduce my product to the world it is very popular in my home town an people come miles around to try it out an just by word of mouth so far it has really been successful but all of my customers feel like the world should know this product but im only one person with no funds to mass produce the product
need help with marketing my product
I need help with my startup business marketing and business plan completion.
My idea/device would be a life saver that could be used in every “single” dwelling in this country or world for that matter. I guarantee it is simple, cost efficient to make as well as cost efficient for the consumer. 15 bucks to save a family members life? TV, POP displays,and internet for sales.
HELLO GREG, I\’M LOOKING FOR START UP CAPITAL FOR MY ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY AND MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA HELP ALSO.
I have a great, patented , innovative concept
for eyeglass frames, need — marketing & manufacturing , this can be utilized by the eyeglass wearers in the entire world, best regards, jlb
Hi!Kevin, I am seeking Funds to Market my Product for Market;but I do not have the Funds to mass produce my Products.Although it is a Billion Dollar a year industry;Because I don\’t have the Funds to mass produce it I am at a stand still.Thought my customers said get this thing in the stores fast and they kept on re-ordering this lovely Product.Please don\’t ask me to buy any thing now for;All I had I use to bring my Product to the Market.But my Ambition is to be my long term Goaals.I need to get this Product to Market.Thanks for the time spent to read my Note.Hazel.
I have a US patent for a portable kidney dialyzer that can be taken home and used at the patients convenience. There is nothing like it in the US market. I am looking for someone who can help me build the prototype by funding it. Manufacturing this product will follow.
VA hospitals have a signed contract to buy close to 6000 of these machines for thier 151 VA hospitals. Please respond.
harry harrison
Hello Greg, thank you so much for this opportunity. I have imagined what it would be like to present my ideas having to do with my published and unpublished children’s books. I have thought what it would be like facing these very savy and intelligent people, looking in their eyes and telling them what my dreams are for my children’s books and the movie script I have written based on my first book. I would share my passion for being a falicitator to help the children and the animals of this world. I also would share my successes on my journey and what I have accomplished so far which you can view on my website. My dreams and goals are huge and with God’s help they will all come true…:-)
Carla
To Mr. Kevin Harrington: I’m an entrepreneur from Michigan of the USA who is searching for a Licensing Agent or Agency that is reputable. That person or organization doesn’t need to be within Michigan, but if they are all the better as it will help Michigan’s economy. Will you answer that subject for me, please? Sincerely,
Louie DePuydt LOUIEUP: LLC \Identification number: D2395J
Hi Kevin I have been working on a medical device for 3 1/2 years, 3 prototypes and all of it is in patent pending status in both Europe and the United States We also have a trademark and copyrights in the works. Our next level with this product is FDA which is very costly. we have been told by many people we have a very good and much needed product. This product is mostly going to be used in nursing homes and home healthcare. With the aging population out there you can imagine the potential for this product. We are talking millions of dollor if not much more. If you or one of your fellow investors would like to talk to me please email. Thank you I love shark tank. you guys are bruttle sometimes but thats business.
may be lookingfor some help getting my asphalt grinder attachment on the market ihave a pat. pending on my idea at this point in time it would be nice to here back from you thanks. Gary williams
kevin, i was contacted by absolutely new, they are very interested in my pat, I know everyone thinks they have a great idea, I know I do, please give me 5 mins and call so I can explain, 508-328-9000—–
absolutely new contacted me today, i have a product that can be both sold and used world wide, please call, give me 5 mins, i guarantee you will love it, call absolutely and ask Benn—508-328-9000
I know everyone thinks they have the best idea , but this patent will get your attention, and i already have units being made, and one unit was made for federal agents per their specs. I look forward to talking with you.
My name is d. I have four un-”d”-wear collections to mass produce encompassing thousands of sku’s. These items are flirty, stylish, innovative, and ultra-comfy. They are made of all natural materials. These items are created for men and women of all ages.
I have a manufacturer in China to produce the products. Samples can be provided for you to view at your request.
I am in need of a business partner, someone to help me bring these collections to market and promote these products through advertising and sales. Someone who has an “in” with buyers of large merchant establishments. This area is unfamiliar to me. My forte is designing with timeless vision, creating unique and original items.
http://www.floorplandesignonline.com is my interior design website which lists my bio. Furniture staging for the residential market is the focus of my website.
I am currently involved with writing a children’s cookbook intended for ages 5 and older. I have another book in the wings, an adult bedtime book of poetry, revealing seductive, sensual poems for adults to indulge in.
Please contact me in order to discuss the possibilities of partnering with someone to handle the marketing and promotional areas of my un-”d”-wear line.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
I just recently recieved my “allowance” for this patent. This is such an “new”, “novel”, idea. Check out my website computorglove.com Regards, John
Hi
I am building a new piece of software. The results can be seen on CNN http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-707555 and the follow up is http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-709311.
I have lots of satisfied clients, world wide, but I really need some funding to build the next software product.
I am the President of a startup Biofuels Buisness and my wife and I are looking for investers for this dairy turnkey operation and greenoil from algae buisness. You may contact me at 319-464-8901 or at bigrig9in@yahoo.com
Hi my name is eddie and i have an idea that will save cars,trucks,trailers,lawnmowers and many other things from prematurely rusting out… So i am looking for some advice OR better yet an INVESTOR – investors… THANK YOU, EDDIE
Hello, I have a well established self made custom motorcycle accessory manufacturing business that is in very high demand, I keep it running on a small scale with a constant 1 year backlog going. I would like the proper investment to get it where it truly longs to be. I have all the know how and drive, I just need the backing to expand to reap its full potential. If you are interested check out my website then go to my testimonial page to get an idea of customer satisfaction. Maybe you can help me or guide me in a direction. Thank you in advance & God bless! 8)