Mark Cuban has been a fan favorite since he entered the reality show Shark Tank in the second season. While in this he had a guest cameo, but his presence was so well received that the makers decided to make him a series regular from the third season. Throughout the show as well as outside, Cuban has detailed several times as to why he likes to be a part of the show.
He has always showcased his willingness to teach business to the younger generations and keep the American dream alive. So, money is not a big factor for him, as he’s not only the richest “Shark” on the show, but also has a business empire worth billions.
In an interview, he also detailed his main motive for participating in Shark Tank, and the huge paycheck is definitely not his reason.
Empowerment Is More Important for Mark Cuban Than Money on Shark Tank
Mark Cuban has come a long way in his career, from his door-to-door garage bag-selling days to now standing tall with a $6.5 billion net worth, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His value, as well as popularity, has only soared high since he got on board Shark Tank full-time in 2011. During his time on the show, the venture capitalist has invested in close to 85 companies with investments worth $29 million.
However, in a past interview with Duncan Robinson, he revealed that he didn’t join the reality show for more money but for aspiring young entrepreneurs. He also said that he has a great passion for teaching and fostering the idea that the American dream is alive and reachable. He also added “That’s why I do the show” and highlighted his dedication to mentor the upcoming generation of business leaders.
Cuban added that while he liked pushing new and innovative products out in the open, collaborating with other businesses is a tiresome task. This is because some of these companies lose sight of their responsibilities once the show gives them more visibility. This can also lead to missed opportunities if they fail to keep their momentum.
For the same, he also detailed an example of a product called Hickaway, which is used to prevent hiccups. When it appeared on the show, it saw a huge rise in its popularity but managed to keep the same going due to its marketing and consumer satisfaction efforts. Further, word of mouth plays a pivotal role in the success of such products.
He also talked about Scrub Daddy which is one of his most successful ventures and earned him an impressive revenue. All in all, Cuban wants to influence the upcoming generation into making more strategic decisions as well as having an entrepreneurial mentality.
Mark Cuban Is Ready to Say Goodbye to Shark Tank After Season 16
After being a very beloved part of Shark Tank, Mark Cuban is all set to say goodbye to the show. In an interview via People, the venture capitalist detailed that the upcoming season 16 would be his last one. Cuban quickly gained immense popularity when he appeared as a guest judge in the second season of the show.
Following this, he was brought in full-time in the third season, and with his business acumen and knowledge, Cuban has been a fan favorite ever since.
But now he feels “it’s time” to take a step back from the show and focus more on his personal life and family. On the impact of the show on young entrepreneurs, he added:
I feel like in doing Shark Tank all these years, we’ve trained multiple generations of entrepreneurs that if somebody can come from Iowa or Sacramento or wherever, and show up on the carpet of Shark Tank and show their business and get a deal, it’s going to inspire generations of kids.
Mark Cuban added what it was like to influence kids who then went on to become entrepreneurs and his stint on the show as an investor. He added:
That’s what happens, right? Now we’ve got people coming on saying I watched you when I was 10 years old. I’m like, f—. But we’re helping them right? I’ve invested in, I don’t know how many hundreds of companies.
The Shark Tank judge also added that his affection for the show would remain strong even after his exit. But for him, family would take precedence now, and his kids are almost teenagers now and he wants to spend more time with them.
You can watch Shark Tank on Hulu.
