Barbara Corcoran Talks New Service for Entrepreneurs, 15 Seasons of ‘Shark Tank’

It's easy to underestimate the impact of the ABC show Shark Tank. The show  sneakily entered its 15th season this year, has been on the air since 2009, and has inspired a whole new generation of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial hopefuls.

Shark Tank started its run in the midst of a devastating economic recession in the United States. Folks who lost their jobs were relying on their ingenuity and whatever cash they could muster to start new businesses. Cut to 10+ years later, and the entrepreneurial spirit saw another high during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show nor the inspiration it brings to people both show no signs of slowing down.

One of Shark Tank's constants since the beginning has been the presence of Barbara Corcoran on the panel of "Sharks." Barbara has been a mainstay on the show, alongside the likes of Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec, since the first season.

As she is in the middle of launching new Patreon-exclusive service, Barbara was kind enough to chat with me about said service, her career, her time on Shark Tank, and more.

The service is called Barbara In Your Pocket, and its available via a subscription to Corcoran's Patreon page. Barbara elaborated on what entrepreneurs can gain from this program:

[They can gain] Confidence. You might not think confidence has a lot to do with success, but I think it's more than fifty percent of it. So, when someone is even on the right track, they second guess themselves if they don't get their successes as fast as they envisioned, and every entrepreneur thinks it's going to happen easily [....] You have a right to be there. You have a right to be rich. You have a right to be successful [....] I make sure people stick with [their business].

For $10/month, you will receive three exclusive videos from Barbara each month as well as have the opportunity to take part in live Q&As among several other promotions.

Barbara Corcoran also spoke about Shark Tank's impact over its 14-year run, specifically what her experience on the show has taught her:

Businesses don't work unless the right person is at the head inspiring everyone and making the right calls with good business judgments. [The show has taught me] that business plans mean crap. They only get you out the gate, and you feel good about writing them, and very often people take too long writing them when they should be out on the street selling. [....] I've learned that the difference between my great entrepreneurs and everything else is only one thing [....] it's the ability to get back up and not feel sorry for yourself.

These pull-quotes don't do Barbara nor her wisdom justice. This was a wonderful conversation, which even touched on a fake funeral she threw for herself to celebrate her 70th birthday!

Take a listen to my interview with Barbara Corcoran below, and check out Barbara In Your Pocket on her Patreon page!