2stepz_ahead
New member
English: When developing the greatest challenge was determining flavor combinations and how we could get brookies to people that were beyond our personal circle. Once we launched making deliveries became more challenging than we anticipated. We didn’t realize that short-term parking would be such an issue, needless to say, delivery zones became our best friends.
Savoring the Shark Tank Experience
Ho: What was that time in between the taping and show finally airing?
English: Hectic and Anxious. Once you film you are only notified if you appear on the show, they offer no guarantees that your episode will air. We were barred from discussing our experience with anyone, and continued to call the show GoldFish Bowl (something we began during the early stages of the casting process), making the “Sharks” less intimidating when we discussed it amongst ourselves.
We recognized that the turnaround time was typically two weeks and a day and when that time elapsed we all got nervous. Our day-to-day remained the same. We processed orders daily and even held our very first pop-up shop.
Ho: What did they like most about you, the company and product?
English: They loved us as individuals and enjoyed the product. Barbara even stated something like “Usually you get one great person and two duds, but you guys are all great.”
Ho: Why didn’t you get a deal?
English: They stated that we were too young of a company. Mr. Wonderful offered to give us whatever we wanted, but we would all have to quit our jobs. All of the sharks that were present invited us back after we grow as a company.
Ho: Should you have done anything differently?
English: Nothing, the experience was absolutely amazing. Literally from completing all of the paperwork to present day, we have learned so much. Having the opportunity to get advice from such successful entrepreneurs was more than we could have asked for. We have taken heed to the suggestions and have become a better company as a result. Thanks, sharks!
Ho: How did you prepare for your appearance?
English: Rehearsed the pitch, to make sure the timing was precise. Prayed. Reviewed our numbers to make sure we didn’t get eaten alive. Prayed. Called them goldfish and not sharks, making the experience much less intimidating. Prayed.
Reminded ourselves that whatever happens, this is an experience of a lifetime. Even if we didn’t walk away with a deal, we knew that we had an opportunity that most young companies will never see. Prayed
Ho: What made it a success?
English: We were truly ourselves. We smiled, laughed, sang Beyoncé and danced. We were relatable.
Ho: What about being in the Tank (or whatever happened before or after) surprised you the most?
English: The responses that we get from people that saw us on the show, often people want to hug us and take pictures
Ho: If you could do the show over, what would you do differently?
English: I would wait a little longer to go on the show. This would allow us to display that we have more knowledge of how to operate a business of this type. We would negate the notion of being “too young of a company” a possible get a deal.
Ho: What misconceptions do you think viewers have about the show?
English: People think that the Sharks are rude or mean, but they are actually all very nice and extremely funny.
Ho: What can you teach others about your Shark Tank experience?
English: Take it for what it is. You are getting advice from entrepreneurs that have experienced the highlights and pitfalls of business ownership. Remember that they are sharing their opinion, occasionally it may be harsh, but it is just that, an opinion. People should not take offense to it.
One would be better served listening to what is said and asking themselves if making the suggested adjustment will benefit their company or hurt their pride. We loved the idea of a build-a-brookie, being able to customize your brookie flavor.
We actually wanted a website that allowed you to be interactive and visually builds the brookie as you placed an order. The Sharks told us that wasn’t scalable. We had a brief discussion after our pitch and that option was removed the following day. It was one of the best decisions we have made to date.
Ho: What are the secrets of a successful audition and appearance?
English: Be yourself, know your product, know your numbers and be open to the feedback that they are giving.
Cooking Up New Business
Ho: What are you doing now to move your business forward and expand?
English: Continue to market and advertise. Continuing to operate as a client-centric business. We would like to expand our reach and increase our relationships with corporations. We have begun co-branding when gifting. We are also preparing to launch a fundraising division and looking to have monthly ordering package options.
Ho: What are your goals for your business over the next year and five years?
English: To make milk+brookies a household name. We would like to solidify our brand by getting large distribution deals. In five years’ time, we would like to be in the position to have brick and mortar(s) in the major markets, positioning ourselves in ways that we don’t over saturate the market but remain an upscale experience.
Ho: What is your media and marketing strategy?
English: We continue to be active on social media and place advertisements in magazines. We plan on doing some radio advertisements and would like to make more television appearances. We also send direct mailers to existing clients, do interviews and occasionally have pop-ups.
Ho: How do you acquire new customers and what are your customer acquisition costs?
English: Most new clients are acquired through referrals and social media. The cost to acquire new clients in minimal. The bulk of our marketing and advertising budget is spent when we have pop-ups.
Ho: What was the most effective thing you did to get more exposure for your business before going on Shark Tank?
English: The two things that were most effective before Shark Tank were appearing on a local television news show during the Sunday morning broadcast and being featured on GILT.
Savoring the Shark Tank Experience
Ho: What was that time in between the taping and show finally airing?
English: Hectic and Anxious. Once you film you are only notified if you appear on the show, they offer no guarantees that your episode will air. We were barred from discussing our experience with anyone, and continued to call the show GoldFish Bowl (something we began during the early stages of the casting process), making the “Sharks” less intimidating when we discussed it amongst ourselves.
We recognized that the turnaround time was typically two weeks and a day and when that time elapsed we all got nervous. Our day-to-day remained the same. We processed orders daily and even held our very first pop-up shop.
Ho: What did they like most about you, the company and product?
English: They loved us as individuals and enjoyed the product. Barbara even stated something like “Usually you get one great person and two duds, but you guys are all great.”
Ho: Why didn’t you get a deal?
English: They stated that we were too young of a company. Mr. Wonderful offered to give us whatever we wanted, but we would all have to quit our jobs. All of the sharks that were present invited us back after we grow as a company.
Ho: Should you have done anything differently?
English: Nothing, the experience was absolutely amazing. Literally from completing all of the paperwork to present day, we have learned so much. Having the opportunity to get advice from such successful entrepreneurs was more than we could have asked for. We have taken heed to the suggestions and have become a better company as a result. Thanks, sharks!
Ho: How did you prepare for your appearance?
English: Rehearsed the pitch, to make sure the timing was precise. Prayed. Reviewed our numbers to make sure we didn’t get eaten alive. Prayed. Called them goldfish and not sharks, making the experience much less intimidating. Prayed.
Reminded ourselves that whatever happens, this is an experience of a lifetime. Even if we didn’t walk away with a deal, we knew that we had an opportunity that most young companies will never see. Prayed
Ho: What made it a success?
English: We were truly ourselves. We smiled, laughed, sang Beyoncé and danced. We were relatable.
Ho: What about being in the Tank (or whatever happened before or after) surprised you the most?
English: The responses that we get from people that saw us on the show, often people want to hug us and take pictures
Ho: If you could do the show over, what would you do differently?
English: I would wait a little longer to go on the show. This would allow us to display that we have more knowledge of how to operate a business of this type. We would negate the notion of being “too young of a company” a possible get a deal.
Ho: What misconceptions do you think viewers have about the show?
English: People think that the Sharks are rude or mean, but they are actually all very nice and extremely funny.
Ho: What can you teach others about your Shark Tank experience?
English: Take it for what it is. You are getting advice from entrepreneurs that have experienced the highlights and pitfalls of business ownership. Remember that they are sharing their opinion, occasionally it may be harsh, but it is just that, an opinion. People should not take offense to it.
One would be better served listening to what is said and asking themselves if making the suggested adjustment will benefit their company or hurt their pride. We loved the idea of a build-a-brookie, being able to customize your brookie flavor.
We actually wanted a website that allowed you to be interactive and visually builds the brookie as you placed an order. The Sharks told us that wasn’t scalable. We had a brief discussion after our pitch and that option was removed the following day. It was one of the best decisions we have made to date.
Ho: What are the secrets of a successful audition and appearance?
English: Be yourself, know your product, know your numbers and be open to the feedback that they are giving.
Cooking Up New Business
Ho: What are you doing now to move your business forward and expand?
English: Continue to market and advertise. Continuing to operate as a client-centric business. We would like to expand our reach and increase our relationships with corporations. We have begun co-branding when gifting. We are also preparing to launch a fundraising division and looking to have monthly ordering package options.
Ho: What are your goals for your business over the next year and five years?
English: To make milk+brookies a household name. We would like to solidify our brand by getting large distribution deals. In five years’ time, we would like to be in the position to have brick and mortar(s) in the major markets, positioning ourselves in ways that we don’t over saturate the market but remain an upscale experience.
Ho: What is your media and marketing strategy?
English: We continue to be active on social media and place advertisements in magazines. We plan on doing some radio advertisements and would like to make more television appearances. We also send direct mailers to existing clients, do interviews and occasionally have pop-ups.
Ho: How do you acquire new customers and what are your customer acquisition costs?
English: Most new clients are acquired through referrals and social media. The cost to acquire new clients in minimal. The bulk of our marketing and advertising budget is spent when we have pop-ups.
Ho: What was the most effective thing you did to get more exposure for your business before going on Shark Tank?
English: The two things that were most effective before Shark Tank were appearing on a local television news show during the Sunday morning broadcast and being featured on GILT.
