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The Newest Sharkette in the 'Shark Tank'
Lori Greiner talks about her endeavors, other sharks and
best advice
By Minh Nguyen Special to MSN TV
Lori Greiner is a true entrepreneur. She started out by designing a jewelry
organizer in 1996, and she has since created 350 products and has 110
patents. If you're a fan of QVC, you probably have seen her
hosting her show "Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner."
She's coming to "Shark Tank" on Friday,
Feb. 10, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. MSN TV had the opportunity to
speak with her about her background, the other sharks and the best advice
she gave to an entrepreneur with an idea.
Could you please tell us your background and why you were picked to be the
newest guest sharkette?
I'm a self-made entrepreneur. I had one product and I turned that into 350
products. I have 110 patents and I have manufacturing resources all over the
world. I understand the entrepreneur and know what it's like to be one, how
important the product is and to get it out there. I also know how to do the
entire process, from patenting to creating to manufacturing to market. I think
that makes me the perfect shark.
Do you consider yourself a shark?
No, actually I consider myself a very tiny shark. I am business-savvy and
have everything I need to run a business and make it happen. I think at my heart
I'm a warm-blooded shark. I have a soft side to me, and with my position in life
now, a lot has to do with giving back. I care a lot about entrepreneurs and
giving back to help them achieve the success I've had. When it comes to going
head-to-head with other sharks, I'm there and I'm able to do that.
How do you think Lori will contribute to the show? Share with us
on MSN TV on Facebook and
Twitter.
What's been your favorite pitch?
I don't think I am supposed to talk about the pitch (because it hasn't aired
yet). My most memorable one was a woman who came before us. I really liked her a
lot and related to her story. I liked her drive. I knew she would have what it
takes to help me make her product profitable. I did a "Shark Tank" first with
her; it's never done before: I wrote a check right on the spot.
How was it working with the other sharks? Could you use one word to
describe each one of them?
They're all very sharp, brilliant, shrewd, savvy, super-nice guys that are
tough negotiators that really know their stuff. Cuban "fast," Daymond "funny,"
Kevin is "money" and he is also very funny, Robert "orchestrator." I can't say
anything about Barbara because I didn't work with her.
What kind of advice can you give someone who has a great idea but doesn't
know where to start?
The best advice for the very beginning is to find out if your product is
really wanted. I think there is a similarity in all entrepreneurs in that they
think their product is the most innovative, greatest product out there. You have
to really find out and do market research to see if that is the case. Before you
invest ... a lot of money or put in a lot of hope and time into something
the market doesn't want. Once you've done that and you know from people that
aren't friends or family the product is great and there's a need and people
really want it, then I would start to do all the process it takes to get it out
there.
If you were starting out and pitching your first idea, which shark would
you want to invest in your product?
[Laughing] Oh no, that's a hard one. I don't think I can answer that. I am
not objective enough anymore at all.
"Shark Tank" airs on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
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