Celebrity News

What to expect when walking into the ‘Shark Tank’

Almost a decade after the series premiere of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” investors Mark Cuban, Daymond John, Lori Greiner, Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O’Leary know what they’re looking for.

“The number one thing is, know what really differentiates you from any other business out there and what you’re going to do that’s going to make a difference,” Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, told Page Six on Sunday at the Tribeca TV Festival. “If you do that, you’re in good shape.”

Along with a unique factor, John told us he needs an enthusiastic pitch before he invests in an entrepreneur.

“Be very infectious … your energy has to be super, super high,” he said. “It’s always the right person with the right product [that] meets the right ‘Shark’ at the right time,” he added. “Lori has invested in some stuff that I thought would never work [and] she’s great with it because she had the vision.”

But famed New York realtor Corcoran, who has been on the show since its 2009 premiere, said she doesn’t need much convincing one way or another if she’ll partner with an entrepreneur.

“For me, it’s 100 percent gut and it has been from day one,” she told us. “I think my gift is spotting great talent and whatever first impression I have, which is before they open their mouth, I already know I’m out.”

And when her intuition doesn’t serve her immediately, Corcoran thinks to herself, “‘What would happen if there’s a war and I had to toss my kid into this person’s arms, would the baby be OK in 10 years?’ and I right away know.”

O’Leary says his frank advice comes with good intentions.

“I tell the truth,” he said. “Everyone says I’m a mean ‘Shark’ [and] it’s not true. Some ‘Sharks’ don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings, I can care less about their feelings, I’m trying to tell them not to waste their family’s money.”

Greiner added that she’s often looking out for female entrepreneurs.

“I think that women have to lead the way for other women,” she said. “I’m proud and I’m continuing to work hard and trying to do things that will help women get ahead.”

“I don’t think any of us would have any idea that it would be on so long. It’s amazing,” she said of the show’s run.

The 10th season will premiere on Oct. 7 on ABC.