BiggerPockets Business Podcast

13: 3 Rules for Crushing It in Business with ‘Shark Tank’ Star Barbara Corcoran

07.22.2019 - By BiggerPocketsPlay

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What does “The Queen of New York Real Estate” look for in an entrepreneur?

As a “shark” on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Barbara Corcoran hears a lot of pitches. She’s invested in entrepreneurs who have gone on to thrive... AND those who’ve failed or faded away. 

So what separates them? 

In this episode, Barbara shares what she’s learned both from the show AND her own remarkable, roller-coaster career.

You’ll hear how she began her business career as an 11-year-old (even making the local paper), how she was inspired by her father’s unhappiness working for someone else, and how a failed relationship sparked her ambition to become New York City’s biggest real estate broker (which she accomplished!).

You won’t want to miss the story of how she almost lost the Shark Tank job before it started, and how she fought tooth-and-nail to get the gig. You’ll hear her thoughts on investing in “the person,” rather than “the business,” when it makes sense to bootstrap vs. raising capital, why she distrusts entrepreneurs who use fancy jargon, and the surprising quality she values above all else.

If you are interested in what makes some people succeed and others fail, you will love Barbara’s insights. Check out this show, and subscribe using your favorite podcast app so you won’t miss the next one!

In This Episode We Cover:

Barbara’s upbringing in a big, competitive family

How a messy breakup lit her competitive fire 

How she launched a successful real estate brokerage in New York City

Why sales is vital to every business

Juggling work and family commitments

Why it’s almost always better to bootstrap vs. taking on investors

Why she’s turned off by the words “pivot” and “burn rate”

Why Comfy Bros. turned out to be her best “Shark Tank” investment

The #1 reason entrepreneurs fail

Links from the Show

BiggerPockets

BiggerPockets Podcast

Shark Tank

Comfy Brothers (Shark Tank)

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