Variety Profile
‘Shark’ mirrors Mark Burnett’s journey
Brit-born entrepeneur can relate to contestants
By SUSAN YOUNGAt his core, Mark Burnett is an entrepreneur who came to this country from his native U.K. to seek his fortune.
While he’s known for populating TV with reality series, none seem so close to his heart as “Shark Tank,” the ABC project about pitching and selling innovative ideas to investors.
“His is the perfect production company to handle this project, because that’s his spirit and that’s his personality,” says Manatt, Phelps and Phillips attorney Jordan K. Yospe, former general counsel and head of business and legal affair at Mark Burnett Prods. “To take nothing and create something is what Mark is all about.”
ABC tried this theme in 2006-07 with “American Inventor,” but that series never really took flight. The Alphabet is banking on Burnett’s knack for getting viewers invested in the contenders.
“Mark has really figured out a way to play out emotions in his characters,” says ABC’s John Saade, who heads alternative series, specials and latenight programming with Vicki Dummer. ” ‘Survivor’ is a big canvas, but it lives in the close-ups. And that’s where television excels.”
“Shark Tank,” scheduled for a Aug. 9 premiere, is an adaptation of the popular Japanese series “Dragons’ Den,” which then morphed into a U.K. version now currently airing Stateside on BBC America.
What appeals to Burnett in this economic climate is seeing the American spirit coupled with the opportunity of shucking the corporate harness.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of America, and right now people can barely get a mortgage, much less a small business loan,” Burnett says. “Here’s the ultimate opportunity to pitch wealthy investors (and get them) to part with their own money. We don’t use TV money. This is real money from the investors.”
London-born Burnett has a hardscrabble story made for Hollywood, building himself into the king of reality programming from working-class beginnings. He has been on both sides of the pitch table and believes the drama comes from people risking everything, not just the actual setup of pitching a product and picking a winner.
Each week of “Shark Tank” will be a closed-end episode where all, few or none of the contestants will sell their notions.
“This is a multifaceted drama about people putting everything on the line — their houses, their children’s college accounts — to fulfill a dream,” Burnett says. “It can be harsh when the investors say they don’t believe in your dream or thrilling when the sharks want your idea and will go up against each other to get it.”
Mark Burnett is a great entrepreneur and I’m looking forward to his spin on the Dragon’s Den concept. Should be a great series.
How can you apply?
Thank you
There’s a link on there web site. Good Luck
Dragon’s Den is Canadian. On CBC. Not Japanese.
Nice job, especially compared to Dragon’s Den (no videos in the UK). However, would suggest some more due diligence from panelists – such as market size, competitors, revenue flows, past & future expenses, challenges etc. Not realistic to investment in companies with so little information provided….
Could someone Please.! send me an application so that I can appear on the show and Truely show eveyone what the “NEXT GREATEST IDEA” really is. Or maybe you show concider having an open casting call here in Jacksonville. N.C. Which, incidentally is the home of the “WORLD”S Largest Marine Base.! Imagine the ratings and the “NATIONWIDE MORAL BOOST.!” There are lots of creative people here in this Patriotic Sleepy Hollow. Give us a try.!
Could someone PLEASE.! Send me an application, so that I can appear on the show and Truely show everyone what the “NEXT GREATEST IDEA” really is. Or maybe you should consider having an open castng call here in Jacksonville N.C.. Which, incidentally, is the home of the “WORLD’S LARGEST Marine Base.! Imagine the ratings and the “NATIONWIDE MORALE BOOST.!” There are lots of creative people here in this Patriotic Sleepy Hollow. Give us a try.!
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Could someone PLEASE.! Send me an application so that I can appear on the show and Truely show everyone what the “NEXT GREATEST IDEA” really is. Maybe you should consider an open casting call here in Jacksonville N.C. (HOME of the World’s Largest MARINE Base.!) Imagine and ratings and the “NATIONWIDE MORALE BOOST.!” Give us a try.!
Hi , I have a question . Is the shark tank just for people who have a small business looking for funding ? Or is it also for people who just have pattens or working prototypes and looking to maybe jjust sell the whole package ???
Please reply .
I do have pattens and working prototypes of a few ideas that I would like to sell ….
Richard
I had an idea that became an actual product. It was shown on QVC and sold in stores and catalogues. My first endeavor. i learned myself how to do the necessary legal steps in order to protect my idea. The cost of attorneys can be expensive. Now I am offering my services for people who have ideas they want to develop into products. You should be prepared to protect your idea before submitting it to anyone. There are steps you should take that leads to your provisional patent which is a less costly way to document your idea and gives you time to do your permanent patent at a later date. If you would like more info on my reasonable services please email me brandy2102003@yahoo.com. Thank you Marjorie hall
I have an idea for a new mechanical device for an item that is used daily. I am looking for investors to help me get this product up and running; the cost is about $25,000. Please email me to let me know how I can apply to this show.
Thank you,
Quinton J. Hayes
Hello my name is Shanquita Greggs. I am 35 years of age and i am the owner of Simply Scents by Shan Candle Co. We manufacture and distribute scented products. I started making candles out of my grandmothers kitchen 5 1/2 years ago. I was a flight attendant for United Airlines for two years before my first layoff. After going through the layoff i realized that i would have to change careers because it was not a reliable career. I loved that job thought it would be my last. i was watching a Martha Stewart Show she had a idea about making candles for the holidays. I quickly researched the whole idea and was taken aback at the idea. The very next pay period i took my entire check and invested in all the supplies that i had been researching for the last two week. Within one month i had perfected the manufacturing now I’m ready to sell. i gave a box of candles to my mother to take to the post office where she work to sell them. She sold out. I also put candles in my trunk and went to every beauty and barber salon in Houston. I sold out. By this time United called me back to work. So i started to fly again. while i was away working i would get all these calls back for more. That’s when i said wow people really like them like that. I knew that i was on to something because i am a candle lover myself and most times you buy a candles it smells good and look good but once you light it you cant smell it. Not my candles soon as you light one within 5 minutes you smell throughout your entire space.Once again United laid me off. Then I received a Chance to pursue my new Passion full time. my grandmother put me out the kitchen, then i went to the back porch, then to my aunt two car garage then to a 500 sq ft location and now a 1000s q ft location where i employ to employees and we have a retail store up front and we manufacture in back. 60% of my business is wholesale and 40 is retail. We have expanded the line to include aroma bags, burning oils, aroma sprays, scented lotions. We have the opportunity to get major corporate accounts but we are under capitalized. I am still flipping my first paychecks with no bank loans. Investors are intersted at this time. I feel this is a wonderful opportunity for my business. The customers that started with me are still with me this day. They are my biggest supporters because the product is one of a kind. I hand pour and mix everything myself. I do have current contracts, reps, we do private labeling also. The product speaks for itself. Everything in the store is a best seller. It is stressful not having the appropriate funds it is hard for me to keep up with demand do to this. Last year we made 128k in sales wtih 30% net income . This year to date we have made 86,000 in sale with a little over 30% in net income. Each year the business just continues to grow.I Love what i do my business is my passion. I resigned from United Airlines 6 months into the candle business and my family thought i was crazy. Now they are my biggest fans. I am very we known in the Houston area but i know that i have been Blessed with a Awesome product that i Make. I have a website simplyscentsbyshan.com. I just need more capital. I guarantee the sharks will bite. With new packaging, working capital, and marketing there is no limits to where Simply Scents by Shan Candle Co. is going. Thank yu so very much for your time. Please feel free to contact me for samples. It would be my pleasure.
how can I apply??I couldnt find the link