Progress Update: Becoming a Guest Shark

For years, I’ve spoken this goal into existence: "I will become a guest Shark on Shark Tank."

It’s more than a dream, it’s a vision I’ve been actively building towards. Looking back, my journey from a small-town Iowa kid failing speech class to a business partner of one of the original Sharks has been anything but conventional. Now, I’m taking the next step by earning my seat as a guest investor on Shark Tank.

I still remember the day it all started. At 20 years old, sitting in a speech communication class I was struggling to pass, I attended an extra credit presentation by Cactus Jack Barringer. Jack had done a deal on Shark Tank (Season 2) with Kevin Harrington and Barbara Corcoran. That day, I saw Kevin Harrington on the screen and made a declaration to myself: "One day, I’m going to work with that guy."

What started as an idea turned into reality. Jack became my mentor, introduced me to Think and Grow Rich, and six years later, I was producing Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy. This was a film that featured both Barbara Corcoran and Kevin Harrington. I stood on the red carpet alongside my mentor, having transformed from a college student with a vision into an entrepreneur making it happen. But I wasn’t done yet...

Over the past decade, I’ve gone from being inspired by a Shark to partnering with one. Kevin and I have built dozens of businesses together from brand launches to equity deals. Now, we’ve taken things to the next level with Big Brand Ventures , where we co-lead a growing portfolio of companies. Our business is approaching a nine-figure valuation, with investments in over 50 companies and a vision of scaling to a billion-dollar enterprise. This isn't just about numbers, it’s about track record.

To sit in a Shark Tank seat, you need more than money. You need proof that you can build, scale, and lead successful businesses. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, and I’m continuing to prove it every day.

I want to bring something new to the show. When you look at recent guest Sharks, many are billionaires or celebrities with massive followings. I’m not a billionaire (yet), and I don’t have tens of millions of followers.

But what I do have is a unique story:

• A kid from small-town Iowa who failed speech class and saw his first Shark on TV.
• A driven entrepreneur who turned that inspiration into a real partnership with Kevin Harrington.
• A co-founder building a portfolio of companies worth hundreds of millions.
• An investor, mentor, and advisor helping businesses scale from seven to nine figures.

That’s a full-circle story. It's one that shows entrepreneurs everywhere that success is possible if you put in the work.

On top of that, I invest in real businesses. I put my own money into companies, and I have access to additional funding. Also, I drive visibility. I bring paid advertising expertise, a younger audience, and an engaged entrepreneurial community. Not to mention, I bring energy, strategy, and a fresh perspective. I’ve built, scaled, and marketed products, launched TV shows, and helped founders turn ideas into multimillion-dollar brands.

Shark Tank thrives on stories of entrepreneurs breaking barriers. What’s better than someone who started as a viewer of the show, partnered with one of the first Sharks, and now sits alongside them?

Earning that seat won’t happen overnight, but I'm setting the stage.

I’m focused on scaling Big Brand Ventures to a billion-dollar company, continuing to invest in high-potential brands, and helping entrepreneurs win. I’m building my brand, refining my strategy, and ensuring that when the opportunity comes, I’ll be ready.

If you’re reading this and you have the right connections to help make this happen, let’s talk! And if you’re an entrepreneur building something great, let’s connect.

Thanks for your support along the way! Here's to your success.

Best,

BTA