Background
"Shark Tank" is a business reality television show where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas or products to a panel of wealthy investors, known as the "Sharks." The goal is to secure funding in exchange for equity (ownership) or other financial arrangements.
| Shark | Role / Background |
|---|---|
| Lori Greiner | Retail products inventor / QVC expert |
| Robert Herjavec | Cybersecurity entrepreneur |
| Daymond John | Fashion brand founder (FUBU) |
| Kevin O'Leary | Venture capitalist ("Mr. Wonderful") |
| Daniel Lubetzky | Food sector innovator (KIND Snacks) |
| Mark Cuban | Tech entrepreneur / Dallas Mavericks owner |
Vocabulary
GraspVerb
To hold something tightly.
"Babies can easily grasp this spoon."
TeethingGerund / Noun
The process of a baby's teeth starting to grow in.
"Every baby goes through a period of teething."
PacifierNoun
A rubber or plastic soother for babies to suck on.
"The baby spat out his pacifier."
🇬🇧 British English: dummy | 🇺🇸 American English: pacifier
Pass outPhrasal Verb
To distribute or hand something to a group of people.
"The teacher asked a student to pass out the worksheets."
⚠️ Different meaning: pass out can also mean to faint / lose consciousness!
Come up withPhrasal Verb
To think of or create an idea, plan or solution.
"They came up with the idea for a new app."
Let's face itPhrase
Let's be honest — used to acknowledge an uncomfortable truth.
"Let's face it, I'm only 10 years old. I need a partner."
Pull offPhrasal Verb
To successfully accomplish something difficult.
"I find it fascinating that you pulled this off."
PatentNoun
A legal right that gives an inventor exclusive ownership of their invention.
"You should always get a patent before telling people your idea."
Blow someone awayPhrasal Verb
To greatly impress someone.
"You just absolutely blow me away."
GritNoun
Courage, determination and strength of character.
"I can tell from your poise and your grit that you will go very far."
💡 Poise = calm, confident manner. Often used together with grit.
TornAdjective
Emotionally divided — unable to decide between two or more options.
"Cassidy, I'm torn because I don't feel you're willing to quit school."
💡 From the verb tear — like being pulled in two directions.
EquityNoun (Business)
A share of ownership in a company.
"She's seeking $50,000 in exchange for 50% equity."
💡 Giving equity means giving away part of your company. More equity = less control.
▶ Watch and answer the questions as you go!
Quiz
Watch the video carefully and answer the questions. Use the Hint button if you get stuck!
1) What was Cassidy's mum worried about?
Think about why Cassidy wanted to eliminate the long and sharp design of a traditional spoon.
2) What phrasal verb does Cassidy use which means "distribute"?
Cassidy says: "We have some samples you'd like toto the Sharks."
It means to give something to several people — like a teacher handing out worksheets.
3) What phrasal verb does Lori (the Shark) use meaning "think of" or "create"?
Lori says: "How did youthe design?"
Three words. Think: to invent or create an idea.
4) Cassidy says "Let's face it, I'm only 10 years old." What does "let's face it" mean?
Cassidy is being honest about her age — she's admitting something true about herself.
5) Which noun does Daniel Lubetzky use meaning "courage and determination"?
Daniel says: "I can tell from your presence, your poise, and your, that you're going to go very far."
One short word meaning inner strength and determination. Often used with poise.
6) Which phrasal verb does Daniel use meaning "successfully accomplished something difficult"?
"I find it fascinating that you."
This phrasal verb means to succeed at something that seemed very difficult. The object goes in the middle.
7) Which adjective does Kevin O'Leary use meaning "emotionally divided between two options"?
Kevin says: "Cassidy, I'mbecause I don't feel you're willing to quit school."
Past participle of the verb "tear" — imagine being pulled in two different directions.
8) Which phrasal verb does Lori Greiner use meaning "to greatly impress someone"?
Lori says: "You just absolutely _____ me _____." Think about direction — like being knocked off your feet.
Script
Narrator
[Music]
Next up is a product that began as an elementary school project.
CassidyAloha, Sharks! I'm Cassidy Crowley.
Lori Crowley (Cassidy's mum)And I'm Lori Crowley, Cassidy's mom.
CassidyWe're from Honolulu, Hawaii. I'm seeking $50,000 in exchange for 50% of my company. I love to create and invent. When I was seven years old, my baby sister Emily would always bend her spoon, and my mom would get worried that she might accidentally poke or stab her throat. So I invented the Baby Toon — a combination of a baby spoon and a teether all in one. The rectangular body makes it easy for babies to grasp and self-feed. It's made of 100% soft silicone with no sharp edges, gentle on babies' gums, and great for teething.
Lori CrowleySharks, babies love throwing their spoons on the floor. Solution: just put a pacifier clip around the Baby Toon and attach it to the baby's shirt. No more lost spoons!
CassidyBaby Toon is made right here in the USA, designed and created by me! So, who's ready to take a bite out of the Baby Toon?
Cassidy & LoriTogether, we can bring Baby Toons to every baby in the world.
CassidyWe have some samples you'd like to pass out to the Sharks?
Lori Greiner (Shark)How did you come up with the design, and what did you do to figure that out?
CassidyIn first grade, I entered a local science fair. I want to show other kids that they can be open to opportunities at school or at home to create and invent. It's a dream come true.
Daniel Lubetzky (Shark)Cassidy, I can already tell from your presence, your poise, your grit, that you're going to go very, very far. Manufacturing can be very tricky. I find it fascinating that you pulled this off.
Robert Herjavec (Shark)Cassidy, it's pretty rare that somebody comes in here and offers us 50%. Why did you do that?
CassidyLet's face it — I'm only 10 years old. I need a partner. I still have to go to high school!
Mark Cuban (Shark)Cassidy, you've done an amazing job. To have started a business, developed a product, seen it through — I just can't imagine what's next for you. It's really not a fit for me, so I'm out.
Kevin O'Leary (Shark)Cassidy, I'm torn because I don't feel that you're willing to quit elementary school. I don't want you to quit school. I'm out.
Lori Greiner (Shark)Cassidy, this is a great product. You just absolutely blow me away. Guess what, young lady — I'm going to make you an offer. $50,000 for 50%.
Cassidy[Excited]
Lori, you have a deal! Can't believe we got it!
Discussion Questions
- What do you think of the Baby Toon? Do you think it would sell well? Would you buy it?
- Cassidy was only 10 years old when she appeared on Shark Tank. How does this make you feel? Does it inspire you?
- Do you know anyone personally who has invented or started a business?
- If you were a Shark, would you have made Cassidy an offer? How much equity would you ask for and why?
- Cassidy said "I still have to go to high school!" — do you think education is more or less important than entrepreneurship?
- Do you have any ideas for a product or service you would like to see made?