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My Shark Tank Audition Experience: A Step Towards Growth and Confidence!

01.13.2025 | Uncategorized

Auditioning for Shark Tank was an AWESOME experience! If you’re an entrepreneur who loves the show, I highly recommend auditioning. It’s a chance to practice your pitch, clarify your strategic position, ask for money in exchange for equity, and connect with other passionate entrepreneurs. It’ll help you feel more confident about your product—whether or not you’re selected.

Me, Mindy, and Olga

Let me start by saying that auditioning for Shark Tank was, hands down, one of the most incredible experiences of my entrepreneurial journey. It’s literally a milestone / life-changing event. 

I’ve got to give a huge shoutout to my friend Olga Bradley, who literally wouldn’t let me back out. She kept pushing me to apply, saying “You’ve got this!” and even flew in from Florida to be there with me for support. Honestly, I don’t know if I would’ve had the guts to take the plunge without her.

Now, before I get into all the juicy details, here’s the quick rundown for anyone wondering: This wasn’t a recording or appearance on the show, it was an open call audition. You show up and have a 1 minute presentation (I chose MAVEN Filters of course) to the Shark Tank casting team. 

If you get selected, you’d get a call before the end of the Janurary. If not, you don’t get a call. Simple as that! Suffice it to say, the odds of getting on the show are slim, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from trying.

The Day of the Audition

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The audition took place at The Venetian in Las Vegas on Jan 10. When we arrived in the am for bracelet pickup, we were given numbered wristbands to keep things organized. My scheduled pitch time was 4pm, so I spent most of the day rehearsing and trying to stay calm. 

Olga and I talked to other entrepreneurs in the waiting area, and it was so inspiring to meet so many people with the same fire and drive to bring their dreams to life. I said to Olga, “These are my people! It feels like everyone here is just like me.” We all had that shared sense of ambition—created something, hustling to make it grow, and having the courage to stand up and pitch. It was a reminder that entrepreneurship is all about resilience and pushing through self-doubt.

And here’s the most impressive thing about the Shark Tank team: They gave each person quality time—no one was rushed and I felt like everyone was completely heard. It felt amazing to get that kind of focused attention, especially considering the odds are so high. They really take the time to listen to every entrepreneur and understand their vision.

What I Learned from the Casting Team

The casting team, led by Mindy (who’s been with the show for all 16 seasons!), shared so many behind-the-scenes insights that I had no idea about. 

Here are a few of the key things I learned:

1. Your business must be U.S.-based. (This was mentioned multiple times.)
2. The show films in June and September, but episodes may not air until 2026. Crazy, right?
3. Even if you get invited to film, there’s about a 50% chance your segment will air. They film 140-150 businesses, but only 70-88 actually make it to the show.
4. They cover your expenses if you’re selected to film—flight, hotel, and per diem for food.
5. The Sharks have no idea who you are until you walk through the doors for the pitch.
6. You can change your offer up until the moment you walk on stage. The deals are a “handshake agreement,” and there’s a “due diligence” stage after filming to check the numbers—sometimes deals fall through after that.
7. No spoilers! You can share your audition experience, but once you’re selected, you can’t talk about anything related to Shark Tank.
8. If you get selected and your segment airs, you’ll be notified two weeks before the air date.
9. The casting team offers feedback about the auditions to the executive producers, who decide who gets a call.
10. If you’re not selected, you can re-audition, but it’s best if your business has evolved significantly in between.

The Pitch: My Moment to Shine

Finally, it was time to pitch! I won’t lie—I was more nervous than I thought I’d be. But thanks to all the prep with Olga, the pitch flowed naturally. We set up two cameras at eye level to showcase how MAVEN Filters work, highlighting the difference between regular filters and ours. 

After pitching, the casting team asked questions and took detailed notes. I was with Mindy for about 7-8 minutes, and we had a great conversation about the business, my Kickstarter, and our new patent. We even chatted a bit about Hawaiian tattoos (Mindy has one from Maui!), which added a personal touch.

The Aftermath: Confidence Boosted!

Once the pitch was over, I spent a few hours processing everything and I was mentally exhausted, but also incredibly proud. I felt like I had taken a major step forward. Regardless of what happens with the show, I walked away with a renewed sense of confidence in MAVEN Filters and a stronger belief in my ability to keep growing. It reminded me that taking risks and putting yourself out there is a powerful way to learn, grow, and build something even bigger.

My Final Takeaway: If You’re an Entrepreneur, You Should Do This!

If you’re an entrepreneur and you think a Shark Tank investment could help you grow, I HIGHLY recommend auditioning. It’s not only about getting on the show—it’s about challenging yourself, refining your pitch, and seeing where your business really stands. Plus, you’ll meet so many inspiring entrepreneurs who are on the same path as you.

Whether you get selected or not, you’ll leave feeling more confident, more connected, and more motivated to keep going.

And to Olga—thank you for being my biggest cheerleader and for helping me through every step of this process. I’m so grateful for you!

Are you an entrepreneur who’s auditioned for Shark Tank or thinking about applying? I’d love to hear your stories or answer any questions you have about the experience. Let’s connect and keep pushing each other forward! #SharkTank #EntrepreneurLife #MAVENfilters #StartupJourney #PitchPerfect #NeverStopGrowing