Summary: Can drawing cats be a 100k+ per year business? If Steve Gadlin is drawing them it can. Steve Gadlin is an interesting cat, no pun intended. He wanted to learn more about running a business, but he needed an idea and a product. He chose something simple, something most people love, something he is allergic to = CATS. "Winning Shark Tank has been described like winning the lottery, but it amounts to a lot of work." Steve Steve has a very interesting perspective on the Shark Tank effect. While admitting that what he has done would be unlikely without the help of the tank, he also knows that without his level of passion and commitment it could not have succeeded regardless. This interview is quite instructive for fans of the show as well as people who are nervous about their abilities to succeed as business people (as was the case with Steve) Steve gives an honest, realistic, and refreshing look at what it takes to maintain steady growth long after his self-proclaimed "15 minutes of fame" are up. Plus hes hilarious, which is great. "Mark Cuban is my first investor, so its like trying to compare your 1st girlfriend to your old one...he has been great." Steve on working with Mark Cuban. Click here to send this post out as a Tweet>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Click here to leave a review on ITUNES Enjoy! Right Click Here to Download the MP3 In this episode you will hear: Steve started drawing/selling cats to LEARN how to build an ebusiness (What have you done?) GroupOn gave Steve his start (which like Shark Tank, started out as a joke/experiment) Why Steve was far more nervous pitching the producers than the Sharks on his cats. How Steve had planned to dump Kevin using a "Lifeline" from the start. Steve believe he was incredibly lucky, but we know that "Action Creates Luck" Steve talks about how you are told that your show may not air even after jumping through all the hoops. Robert Herjavec had a great probing objection for Steve and Steve had a great answer (that we didn't see) You have to stand still for 2 minutes before the show starts, which is where they get the B-roll of blank stares to use throughout. What lessons Steve has learned regarding economies of scale and the margins of his business (great for new or potential business owners) How do you ride the Shark Tank Effect Wave and keep it from petering out... Steve hit 12,500 cats while we were speaking...all drawn by him! Steve filmed a shower scene for the intro of Shark Tank - thankfully it wasn't used. Steve knows he isn't business minded, he knows he is the grasshopper and not the ant. Knowing this is important. Steve compares his cats to the "PET ROCK" Steve talks about the Shark Tank "Snake Oil" Posse...(run Forrest Run!) Plus a whole lot more... Advice from Steve for entrepreneurs who haven't made it over the hump just yet: He started shelling out for a mobile app before defining the need - understand your needs before you throw dollars at them Create good content and you won't have to worry too much about the other pieces Ask LOTS of questions. Don't be afraid to ASK! Ask for the things you want if you really want them. Items we talked about during the Podcast: Blewt.com I Want To Draw A Cat For You Go ahead and order your first cat! The Shark Tank Posse' (I think I made up...but they do exist) STITCHER RADIO (The Future of Radio) Book that Steve recommends: The Sharpshooter Blues (Only Steve) Tech That Steve Can’t Live Without: Less Accounting.com Shark Tank CONTEST for this week! Steve has generously donated two free cat drawings (9.95 EA) to the Shark Tank Podcast audience...Here is how you win: Two ways to win: Sign up for my insiders email list. This can be done on the home page. Leave a comment on this post (below) and let me know what you liked most about the interview with Steve Gadlin. Simple right??
