The Courage to Say No to a Shark Tank Offer - Steven Sashen CEO of Xero Shoes | Bet on You
Saying “No” to Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank isn’t easy, but Steven Sashen had the confidence and courage to walk away --when they undervalued his company.
Join host Angie Witkowski, Keynote Speaker and Leadership Coach, and Ben Whiting, Entrepreneurship Keynote Speaker as they interview Steven Sashen, CEO of Xero Shoes. It is a part of the “Small Business Series” for the Bet on You Show, a show dedicated to business leadership and entrepreneurs.
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In 2013, CEO Steven Sashen went on Shark Tank and proposed a deal of $400,000 at an 8% stake. The Sharks of the show laughed off his valuation, and Kevin O’Leary made a counteroffer of $400,000, but at a 50% stake. Sashen stood his ground and had the confidence, courage and self-trust to say “No” to the offer, realizing that the Sharks undervalued his company. It was a smart decision - - Xero Shoes then grew into a huge success!
What were the keys to his success? Preparation! Steven really understood his business value and the market, so he was able to make the right decision in the pressure tank. But he also had to stay calm under pressure. All entrepreneurs are crazy or hard-wired to a certain extent, but when push comes to shove, it’s important to have Teflon skin with your business.
In this episode, you will also learn that Steven Sashen isn’t just one of the world’s fastest sprinters (Master’s Category). He’s also the creator and innovator behind the beloved Xero Shoes, the brand that provides natural movement footwear to anyone, anywhere who wants their soles a little closer to the earth. And he is a mastermind at cultivating strong teams.
Learn the inside scoop about:
His journey from real estate to founding a global shoe company!
How to get the inspiration to design a product and what his approach was in designing great shoes.
Also learn about Sashen’s expertise from his early job as a street performer to bring in customers:
How do I read and differentiate my product from my competition?
How do I find the audience for my product, and get them to pay for my product?
Last, learn his business philosophy on the importance of building a great team and the environment where people can get involved in your business, and best utilize their strengths and talents.
How to Connect with our guest speaker, Steven Sashen:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashen/
https://xeroshoes.com/
How to Connect with our host Angie Witkowski:
Website: https:/www.angiewitkowski.com
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About Angie Witkowski
Angie Witkowski is a New York Times best-selling author of the business books “SPARK,” “Bet on You,” and “Leading from the Front.” She has been a coach inside some of the world’s best businesses and has shared a keynote stage with some of the most influential leaders of our time. Angie served as an officer in the Marine Corps and holds a BA and MBA from the University of Michigan. She is a CEO and multi-million-dollar entrepreneur as well as a co-owner of Morsels (https://www.morselsbakery.com/), a coffee and bakery in downtown Traverse City, MI.
