Business Sense (Or, Things I Learned from Watching Shark Tank)

BFF M introduced me to a show called Shark Tank last year. It's a reality show where people come in and pitch their business idea to a panel of successful entrepreneurs (like FUBU's Daymond John and, in later seasons, Mark Cuban)--the "sharks." After asking their questions and determining the worth of the business, the entreps may or may not offer to invest.

I honestly don't have dreams of owning a business empire, just one that gives me an extra source of income or, if I'm lucky (and smart), allows me to be financially independent. I'm way behind on the Shark Tank episodes, but the ones I have seen have taught me a few things about business. 

1. Know your worth. Some people come in asking for an unrealistic amount and miss out on an opportunity because they base their valuation on potential (a number that is yet to be proven) or need (how much is necessary to start something), and not on the actual worth of a business. 
2. You need something proprietary. Best if you own the rights to a great idea/start-up business already. Otherwise, you leave yourself vulnerable to copycats and, consequently, lower the value of your business.
3. Best if you have something that can sell any time, anywhere, as opposed to something that is seasonal (e.g., a great Christmas gift) or regional.
4. Take criticism gracefully. Listen to what the pros have to say--it may hurt, but you can always learn something. If you were to pitch something to these sharks and you bomb, take what they said to heart. They're all loaded for a reason!
5.  Know your stuff. It's tough watching people who go in there unprepared. You can tell that they're going to get an F on this oral exam. If you're going to start a business, do your research--numbers, cost projections, competition, market interest, and all that jazz.
6. A "no" can still be a "maybe." There's something to be said about perseverance.
7. Go after your dreams--but not at the price of your family's security.

My New Obsession

I had been wanting to watch Downton Abbey for ages, but I couldn't seem to find the time for a marathon. A few people actually told me to catch it because they thought I would like it. (Blame it on all my tweets about old movies on TCM--some of the very few things I actually watch.) Then I had a day off from work and, now, five glorious days off, so I could finally spend all the necessary hours in bed to finish the two seasons (so far) of this British costume drama.

My friends were right. I LOVED it. I can't believe I have to wait for months for the third season to come out! For now, allow me to share the top five reasons I love Downton Abbey:

1. As a friend so aptly put it, it's "a British Falcon Crest." (You can tell how old said friend is by this reference. And how old I am for getting it.) It's been described as a costume drama that runs like a soap--there was even a storyline involving amnesia at some point! I'd call it a guilty pleasure, but since everyone (except the American Cora Crawley) has a British accent, it all seems so highbrow. Har!

2. The story line. While I find it cool that, even with over a dozen characters on the show, everyone seems to get an equal amount of screen time, what I find most entertaining is the idea that this could have really happened. This place and these characters could truly have existed in the past--but this could very well have been Middle Earth for all I can relate! Men wear tuxes to dinner, aristocracy don't work and have endless "weekends," Downton Abbey is a frickin' castle... So surreal!

Highclere Castle, where parts of the show are shot. People actually lived in places like this!

I am so fascinated by the class distinction (for example, marrying a lawyer or a doctor was considered beneath them). I grew up having househelp, but nothing like Downton Abbey servants--I didn't even know the difference between a butler, a valet, and a footman before watching this show.

3. Lady Violet Crawley's zingers. I've laughed out loud so many times because this character, played so brilliantly by Maggie Smith, has the best lines! Some gems:

"No Englishman would dream of dying at another person's house, especially someone they didn't even know."

~*~*~*~

Mary: "I was only going to say that Sybil is entitled to her opinions."
Violet: "No, she isn't until she is married--then her husband will tell her what her opinions are."

~*~*~*~

(When her granddaughter was feeling sorry for herself) "Don't be defeatist, dear, it's very middle class."

~*~*~*~

(And possibly everyone's favorite...) "What is a weekend?"

4. The setting. There's something about the past that speaks to my soul. (It's one reason I'm often tuned into TCM.) It sounds cheesy, but shows (and movies) like Downton Abbey are kind of like a time machine--they give me a glimpse of a time that I'll never experience. Women were proper ladies, men were proper gentlemen, and everybody dressed up for a simple family dinner. At home. Seriously, the clothes are tuhdiefor. And I like that the characters repeat their outfits, so it's realistic in that sense. (I don't think Upper East Siders would be caught dead wearing the same thing twice.)

I want to have something Downton Abbey-esque made for one of the weddings I'm attending this year. In fact, if I were to get married all over again, the entire theme would probably be inspired by the show!

5. Lady Mary Crawley's skin.

Good god, woman, have you never seen the sun? Either that or Downton Abbey has THE best makeup team in the business. Every time I watch the show, I just end up being mesmerized by her perfect skin. It's almost enough to make me want to retire from disc and try to reverse all the sun damage!

At first, Mary was the character I loved to hate. But as the show progressed, I found myself rooting for her more and more (and staring at her more and more). She's made mistakes, she secretly has a soft side, and, well, she has the most luminous skin ever. Can you say "girl crush"?

Sigh. Five more months. I'm tempted to watch everything all over again. I do have two more free days! (Dowager Countess, for us working-class folks, it's called a long weekend.)


Click on photos for image sources

Wanna Grow Your Money?

I can't for the life of me figure out investments. Anything that involves numbers kinda gives me a glazed expression. (It's one of the reasons I took up Comm in college!) And I'm quite sure I'm not the only one. So each month in Good Housekeeping, we try to break it down for our readers in our Good Money section, in terms people like me could understand!

How wonderful it is that there's a new show on GMA7 that has the same thrust.

You work hard for your moneh--Pesos and Sense is all about making your money work hard for you! First episode airs tomorrow (Saturday, September 3) at 8:30 AM. Now there's a good reason to get up early on a weekend!