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Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec was thinking about leaving the show during his early days. However, his co-star Kevin O'Leary persuaded him to stay.
In a November 30 Instagram post, Herjavec reflected on his early doubts about the show. Joined by O'Leary in the video, Herjavec shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote from season 1 of the Canadian version, where he felt that the show wasn't for him as it did not align with his goals.
O'Leary helped him see the bigger picture and how it would help his brand. Herjavec took the advice to stay and expressed his deep respect and gratitude for his co-star as his influence played a pivotal role in his decision to continue with the show.
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"So interesting story. Do you know why I make fun of Kevin? I love this man dearly because he is the reason I am on this show," Robert Herjavec said in the video.
Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec shares how Kevin O'Leary helped him through his self-doubt about being a part of the show
In his Instagram video, Robert Herjavec shared that during season 1 of the Canadian spin-off, he was unsure about continuing on Shark Tank as he felt that the show didn't align with his identity as a "real corporate business guy." He considered leaving the show and even took O'Leary out for a dinner to discuss the matter.
"You won't remember this, Kevin and I started the Canadian version and after the first season I said to myself, 'I'm a real corporate business guy'. So I took him out for dinner and I said to him, 'I'm leaving the show. This isn't for me'," Herjavec said in the video.
O'Leary had a practical response to the issue and it put rest to Herjavec's worries. He shared in the video that he jolted Herjavec to see the bigger picture, helping him work through his hesitations and self-doubt about being a part of the show.
He explained that staying on the show was a strategic decision, describing Shark Tank as a "fantastic platform" that allows them to not only showcase expertise but also promote their brands.
"The first thing I said was, 'This is a fantastic platform for us. I'm in business too. Everybody would want to be on the show. You promote your brand.'" O'Leary said in the video.
Herjavec recalled that O'Leary called him "bozo" and told him how the show was "going to be huge" and that it would be great for their business. Years after deciding to stay, the Shark Tank star admitted that O'Leary was right and thanked him for his help.
"What you actually said is, and I remember this so clearly, 'You're a bozo, this show is going to be huge and it would be great for your business'... And you were right. Thank you," Herjavec said.
Will Kevin O'Leary leave Shark Tank?
Kevin O'Leary still believes that Shark Tank is an important platform for a Shark and he isn't planning on leaving the show.
In an interview with TV Insider, published on October 19, 2024, O'Leary shared the importance of the show and how it helped him expand his reach overseas.
"I really found, for me, that Shark Tank has become a passport internationally. I do a lot of work in the Middle East and Switzerland and France and England, and we’re the ambassadors to the American dream. That’s what we are. And we’re known all around the world,” he explained.
The shark shared that he was "proud of the platform" that he helped build and asserted that he still wants to be a part of it.
Shark Tank season 16 episodes air every Friday on ABC.
