Aliyah Williams
Editor-in-Chief
ESU is giving students the unique opportunity to meet “Shark Tank” star Daymond John at Kalahari Resorts on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 1-5 p.m.
The event, called “Swimming with the People’s Shark,” will be free to ESU students. Upon signing up, students will be bussed to and from Kalahari. There they will hear a speech from John, a keynote speaker, and receive a copy of his book, “Powershift.”
“This Keynote event with Daymond John is a great opportunity for ESU students, throughout all four colleges to apply what they learn in the classroom in innovative ways by using an entrepreneurial mindset that Daymond John will showcase,” said Michael Moreno, the manager of the ESU Entrepreneurial Leadership Center.
John has been a Shark on “Shark Tank,” for 14 seasons, where he has helped many individuals launch and capitalize upon their business dreams. He also serves as a motivational speaker, brand ambassador, author and entrepreneur, according to his official website.
“Daymond will share the strategies that continue to bring him financial success,” states the ESU website. “He believes the keys to his success include establishing the right mindset and following a few fundamental principles, which he calls his five S.H.A.R.K. points: Set a Goal, Do your Homework, Amore: love what you’re doing, Remember, you personally are the brand, and Keep Swimming.”
Tickets for the program were sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission grant, where “the focus is to develop a Regional Ecosystem of Student Entrepreneurs,” according to the ESU website.
Along with John’s visit comes the remembrance that multiple ESU alumni have been featured on the program “Shark Tank.” Jenni-Lyn Williams ‘09, Brian Pedone ‘05, and DJ Mastronardo ‘05 have all been participants in the show. Williams and Mastronardo even went on to land a deal with the sharks.
Williams participated in the show in 2017, as the founder of Snarky Tea, a tea company that sought to redefine tea as a drink pleasing for busy women. She earned funding from sharks Kevin O’Leary and Bethenny Frankel.
Mastronardo appeared with his three brothers on “Shark Tank” in 2012, presenting his company Nardo’s Natural, a natural skincare brand. His company plan was funded by shark Barbara Corcoran. Pedone participated in the show to introduce Quiet Punch, an at-home punching bag. Although he was not offered a deal by the sharks, his company has still faced large success.
Students interested in attending “Swimming with the People’s Shark” can sign up on the ESU website.
For more information about the event, visit the ESU website or contact Michael Moreno, the manager of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Center at mmoreno4@esu.edu.
