Who is Your Kevin O’Leary?

Friday night in our house means Shark Tank night. Little J stayed up past her 8:00 bedtime one Friday night earlier this year and watched Shark Tank with us. Hubby and I have been a fan since it came on, but this was the beginning of Little J’s interest in the show. She was hooked immediately and now watches every week, including the reruns. It has made for some interesting conversations, such as explaining company valuations to a 6 year old.

This past Friday night, they showed a company that none of the sharks invested in last year. Especially tough on the business owner was Kevin O’Leary.  Kevin told the owner that he wouldn’t amount to anything and should just give up. Using this as motivation the business is growing and getting placement on shelves without the investment. The owner was very honest in the fact that just being on show helped him get the needed exposure, but Kevin’s words fuel him.

During the commercial, hubby and I talked a little about those people like Kevin O’Leary that motivate you because they don’t believe in you. Little J insightfully asked, “Have you ever had a Kevin O’Leary, Mamma?” My answer? “Why, yes, yes I have”.

Almost 7 years ago, I hired a consultant to help my company (at that time 4 of us) move in a new, more targeted direction. Suffice it to say that based on very limited information (some financial data), he recommended I shut down the business. Great news for someone getting ready to go to Disney World the next day. I thought about it long and hard while on vacation and came to the conclusion, that while we had suffered some financial setbacks due to the tech bubble bursting and 9/11, I would not walk away.

That day flipped a switch in me and drove me to make many changes. It served as the kick in the pants I needed to define success. Not his definition. Mine. Every time I get frustrated, I think about how much I want to prove him, and others like him, wrong. Do you have a Kevin O’Leary?