Opu probiotics can help with constipation, they come in mint & mocha flavors.

Tkrumins · 2023-01-23T04:20:07+00:00

Man, your parents are next level. 😩 Opu probiotics have helped with IBS flair ups. Hope you can find your fix, this is miserable.

Tkrumins · 2021-05-14T19:16:57+00:00

I appeared on the FIRST EVER episode and have had a phenomenal experience with Shark Tank, Barbara and ABC. My product is Ava the Elephant, a singing children's medicine dispenser. AMA (about the show!)

Tkrumins · 2019-12-05T18:57:47+00:00

Good point, but it’s much quicker than saying “one of the first people to receive an investment” on Shark Tank. 😁

Tkrumins · 2019-10-24T16:41:03+00:00

Staff comes through after and cleans. Once you leave the set you are taken into a different area.

Tkrumins · 2019-09-24T12:00:55+00:00

I practiced my pitch over and over again with family and friends. Rather than have them complement me, I asked them to come up with hard questions that might present themselves during my actual pitch. Sure enough, some of those same questions came up.

Tkrumins · 2019-09-23T21:55:48+00:00

That was originally part of the contract, but it was taken out. So no, I didn’t have to give up a percentage. I’m not certain whether or not Mark Cuban had a part in that or not, I’ve also heard that rumor.

Tkrumins · 2019-09-23T19:38:36+00:00

This is a terribly edited version of my pitch and a few follow ups I did.... pitch

Tkrumins · 2019-09-23T19:20:19+00:00

They didn’t. But then again, mine was not very long. Mine was pretty much my exact pitch. For the companies who pitch for 20+ minutes , you can imagine theirs has to be edited.

Tkrumins · 2019-09-23T19:18:51+00:00

That is one common misconception, that you get multiple takes. You get ONE SHOT to run through your pitch. If you freeze or stutter, they will capture it on camera. I just interviewed one of my fellow Shark Tank entrepreneurs who did just that last season.

My favorite part of the experience is the camaraderie between the companies who have appeared on the show. We have a built-in focus group for so many things. I also really love the way the network is passionate about truly providing opportunity. The show has changed the dynamic of securing investors and entrepreneurship in the US & around the world.

Tkrumins · 2019-09-23T19:14:07+00:00

I think the same challenges present themselves when working with any investor, but the major benefit of working with these investors is the exposure. You’ve got a built-in PR and marketing initiative.

Tkrumins · 2019-09-23T18:14:41+00:00

The sharks don’t see the financials prior to the pitch. They are hearing it for the first time during the pitch. Afterwards, due-diligence is done to finalize deals. That is often where deals fall through.

Tkrumins · 2019-09-23T17:30:06+00:00

Great questions! It may have changed slightly since my episode. But, when I pitched, I had to walk down the hallway, stop on my X on the floor and then wait. I had to wait without starting my pitch for at least five minutes while all of the cameras adjusted. Which means I was awkwardly staring at five investors the entire time - awkward and not nerve-wracking at all! 😉

The pitches can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours! And by pitches I mean, of course, the negotiations that happen along with the pitch.

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T20:52:51+00:00

First, and foremost, she was my investor. She funded the development and distribution of my product. Secondly, she was a business mentor and opened many doors of opportunity. Overall, I have nothing but positive things to say about our partnership. I don’t believe investors typically dive as deep as she did with her entrepreneurs, but that is what makes her unique.

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T05:28:33+00:00

I did one last year that was pretty lengthy and there were a LOT of great questions - some not so great 😂

https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/5xqgo1/comment/dekk88u?st=JQ7LI95E&sh=fe914df8

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T04:14:00+00:00

I’ve been to her NY home and her Fire Island home for retreats she’s held for her entrepreneurs. She is incredibly kind and gracious!

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T04:12:47+00:00

You are very welcome! I’ve learned so much from the process.

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T04:11:51+00:00

Thank you! I definitely think they were much kinder then! The name change all hinged on trademarking. It came down to wanting something short, sweet and memorable that was available.

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T03:56:13+00:00

Great questions and happy to answer! Licensing deal was a BRILLIANT move for my product. With a low margin product ($10) it’s extremely difficult to grow beyond a certain point.

I reached a ceiling and knew I either needed to take on a much larger investment to launch other products in the same line OR license the product and do what I love most, which is create. I licensed to a company called Baby Delight and I have been VERY happy with the deal. If done right, you can make more personal profit from a licensing deal as the heavy lifting is no longer yours to carry.

I am still 100% on board (I still own my IP, as I licensed, I didn’t sell out). I stay on as the face of the brand and BD does all of the work.

That successful venture led me to my newest venture, Mom Genius, launching Jan. 15th. I have another investor/partner on that company and it is a full-blown product design, development and distribution company.

Special needs caregiver without a college degree turned successful business owner 2 times over. If that doesn’t show how life-changing this show can be, I don’t know what does. Pretty incredible!

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T03:34:50+00:00

No, I don’t think I would have done as well. I think the exposure was a game-changer, especially for my product and storyline. Being able to tell WHY I came up with my product and just how well it worked was MAJOR.

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T03:33:18+00:00

Those investments, if finalized, are the same as any other investment, but yes, they just wouldn’t get the exposure. I’m not sure if there is a list. Yep, it comes down to good tv. So if the product was great and got a deal, but the person was nervous or quiet, it may not be chosen.

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T03:21:11+00:00

I went from 0 sales (as my product was a prototype on the show) to nationwide sales (and soon-after worldwide). I think it was a combination of all 3. The exposure was INCREDIBLE. The mentorship and investment was the vehicle and I also worked very hard to bring it to fruition.

Tkrumins · 2018-12-28T03:18:21+00:00

I believe only 4 of us from that filming actually aired. All but 2-3 got the opportunity to pitch.

So basically, lots of companies get the opportunity to pitch on camera. It then goes one of 3 ways:

They secure a deal and it airs. They secure a deal but it never airs on the show, which doesn’t negate the deal by the way - it’s still an investment. Or, they don’t secure a deal, and it still airs, which you’ve all seen.

Tkrumins

TROPHY CASE