"People made fun of me"— When Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec opened up about immigrating to Canada

Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec and his family originally enjoyed a good life in Croatia. However, their move to Canada marked the beginning of significant challenges.

In a September 13, 2023, interview with Toronto Waterfront Magazine, Robert Herjavec reflected on his life before and after his family immigrated to Canada. He shared vivid memories of growing up in a Croatian village with dirt floors, pigs roaming freely, and no phone or paved streets.

Despite the circumstances, he noted that he never realized he was poor, as everyone around him lived a similar life. To him, everything felt great for both himself and his family.

When his family moved to Canada, other kids pointed out that he was poor, making him realize how different his family was. Due to their financial struggles, they had to wear the same clothes every day, which led to others mocking and making fun of him.

"Then I come to Canada, and the other kids tell me I’m poor. I realized we were different. We had to wear the same clothes every day because we had no money. My mom would wash them every day. People made fun of me," he shared.

The Shark Tank investor added that this situation broke him and he got to a point where he wanted to change everything about his life.

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Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec reflects on his upbringing and how he started his business career

The biggest lessons Robert learned from his father

When Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec's family moved to Canada, his father worked in a factory while his mother took a job as a receptionist. In his interview with Toronto Waterfront Magazine, he was asked to reflect on the best lessons he learned from his dad.

Robert shared that the biggest lesson he learned from his dad was to work hard and never complain about it. Moreover, his dad taught him to always respect the people who are in pursuit of taking care of their family

Reflecting on his childhood and upbringing, the Shark Tank investor admitted that the greatest lessons he learned about his dad came too late in his life.

He further explained that most kids are often embarrassed about their parents when they are growing up. He too felt the same about his dad when he was young, however, later it became the "greatest guilt" in his life.

"[Dad] had various faults like every human being, but that man gave up his life for me, and I was embarrassed by him. But you only learn that in hindsight and all those lessons just become part of who you are," he continued.

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Robert became an entrepreneur to pay his mortgage

Robert revealed that he never wanted to be an entrepreneur and just wanted to get a good job. He shared that he only became an entrepreneur because he was fired from one of his initial jobs and needed a financial source to pay his mortgage.

"I remember the day I told my mom, "I’m going to start a business." She looked at me, with worry in her face and said, "Don’t worry you’ll get another job one day"," he added.

The Shark Tank star shared that he started his internet security software company, BRAK Systems, while also holding a job. He managed both commitments until it became impossible to juggle them, prompting him to quit his job to focus on his business.

Eventually, ten years later he sold his company to AT&T Canada in 2000 for $30.2 million.

"That money, $30 million changed my life forever, so it was time to sell. The $30 million was so unbelievably more than I could fathom, that I didn’t have the ability to dream any bigger. It took a long time for me to think I can do more," he concluded.

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Shark Tank season 16 episodes air every Friday on ABC.