I’m totally addicted to a new show called Shark Tank. Okay, maybe not so new but definitely new to me since I’m only 3 episodes in.
For those of you who may not be so familiar, entrepreneurs with small or “start up” companies pitch their businesses to millionaire moguls (aka, the Sharks). The hope is that a Shark will like the idea enough to invest their own money and expertise in exchange for a share of the company.
In the few episodes I’ve seen, I’ve witnessed dreams come true and reams get crushed. But one segment in particular stands out to me more than any other. Cut to Shane Pannell from Maricopa Arizona.
Shane is the stay at home day to his 9, 4 and 2 year old children. He says it’s a tough job and has no idea how women do it. Shane invented something called SweepEasy, a broom with a built in scraper to ease the task of getting dried on, stuck on stuff off the floor as you sweep.
Shane came to the Sharks asking for a $40, 000 investment, in exchange for a 25% stake in his company. But when Shane hit the lever on his broom and that scraper came flying out, so did the sharks teeth.
What I witnessed for the next few minutes was unbelievable. The offers were coming at Shane so fast, Barbara Corcoran cautioned Shane to, “Slow down and think. You’re a nice guy!” But at the end of the day when the dust settled and the feeding frenzy was over, Shane walked away with $80,000, twice the money he was originally seeking, and the expertise of two sharks instead of one.
Now ladies, I said all that to say this. We’ve been sweeping floors for thousands of years. Our kids have spilled gunk on the floor for as long as there has been a floor. And for centuries we have dutifully, and painstakingly, interrupted our sweeping to bend, stoop or squat to scrape the gunk up. All of a sudden a guy comes along; sweeps the floor for what – a week, a month, a year maybe? And after a brief time realizes there has got to be a better way to get the job done.
Witty inventions and ideas come to us all day long. In fact, I guarantee one of you got the idea about this broom. Don’t beat yourself up about it. But I do want to challenge you to begin to take those ideas seriously. If it solves a problem for you, chances are, it could solve a problem for millions. If you have an idea that seems like an amazing opportunity, don’t dismiss it. Start to keep an idea journal. Truthfully, so many thoughts come to us all day, everyday, we couldn’t possibly act on all of them. Some of my most creative moments happen when I’m doing something ironing, vacuuming or even taking a shower. Be prepared to capture those moments ladies. You never know when what may seem to be a fleeting thought, is really the Universe gifting you with a million dollar, problem solving idea.
Sondra-
What a great story. I’m glad for Shane. Here’s a question I have for you and your readers. Do you think if Shane had been a women that he would have even gotten on the show? I think the novelty of “oooh, a MAN came up with this domestic idea!” may have factored into this?
The idea that a man came up with it Susan, certainly made it interesting for me. But, to be fair to the show as well as to my savvy sister-friends, women have come up with some amazing ideas that have also been presented to and picked up by the Sharks. I just had to laugh at the fact that – the broom – of all things – was not one of them
Love the show as well! Even though I have not had the time to enjoy television this quarter(season); however, I totally agree with you Sondra and I understand Susan’s point as well. In a man dominated corporate world, there are not any secrets about the disparities between women and men when it comes to entrepreneurship. Yet, women, as men, have great gifts and unique talents way beyond domestic duties and skills. Those innovative ideas are within us to manifest to help the world not just the households we live in.
So true Tee. And here’s another side to the same show. I saw a lady, can’t remember her name, present her toy elephant medicine dispenser. All the guy Sharks scoffed at the idea while the only female Shark, Barbara Corcoran, saw it as a smart investment. This elephant medicine dispenser is now in stores like CVS and doing very well. The men are probably kicking themselves in the behind, but they just didn’t get it! They couldn’t see what Barbara saw. You know why? Because I’m sure none of them have had the pleasure of trying to dispense meds to a sick child in the middle of the night. It pays to be a problem solver.
Sondra, Shark Tank is the U.S. version of a British program called Dragons’ Den that was on for a few years. Both shows have highlighted some great ideas … but they also occasionally have people on who have invested every cent in some concept they are certain will be a success, almost to the point of being homeless. So, as in the case of any entrepreneurial undertaking, a product launch has to have serious checks and balances. I’ve consulted with small businesses all my career; I find that women typically hang on to something longer, as if they develop an emotional attachment to an idea. (Men tend to cut their losses quicker.) In some cases with women, it’s called persistence and they win. In others, it’s called not knowing when to quit and they can lose big time!
Yes Sharon. I’ve seen this occur in both sexes and would love to explore the reasoning; the stigma attached to being a “quitter” perhaps, or determined to prove all the naysayers and Doubting Thomas’ wrong. External pressure can often make it difficult to know when to hold ‘em or when to fold ‘em.
Hi Sondra,
I just happened upon your site and wanted to thank you for the superb writing about my product, the sweepeasy scrape and go broom! Your advice to act on your ideas/thoughts is important. I actually came up with my idea after about 1 month as a temporary, stay at home dad. I knew I couldn’t be the only one with this problem, and sure enough,I was right as I have been innundated with people writing me and wanting a sweepeasy. You wouldn’t believe the pluthra of reasons why people want one! From pet puke and poop to candle wax in Catholic churches, the applications are endless. One particularly touching email I received was from a kind woman confined to a wheelchair. She stated that she is unable to get stuck on food off her floors and thanked me for coming up with such a great tool to help her and others in her situation. I promptly wrote her back and told her I was giving her one of the first sweepeasy’s off the production line. I am truly blessed and thankful for this opportunity to help others. Thank you again and I hope you do a follow up story/review of my product in the future. Shane Pannell
Hi Shane
How wonderful for you to stop by and comment! I was completely off the couch when I was watching your presentation on Shark Tank. It spoke to me in so many ways and I was just compelled to share your story. Although I have not yet used a Sweep Easy Scrape, it is undeniably a phenomenal problem solver and will serve people in so many ways. Well done my friend. I’d love to a product review and followup piece. Continued success!!