'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In episode 11 of Shark Tank season 13, Kevin O'Leary's remark brought Raquel Graham, founder of Roq Innovation, to tears. O'Leary referred to Graham as "a crazy chicken," intending it as a compliment to admire her perseverance.
Graham's company, Roq Innovation, faced significant challenges, including a factory closure due to the pandemic. However, her flagship product, Headlightz, showed promise, projecting $1.7 million in revenue by the end of 2021. Graham's emotional response stemmed from her personal struggles, which included a misdiagnosed illness, a stroke, and lung failure in 2016.
"You're a bit of a crazy chicken, let's lay it out there. Okay, I get it. But I like crazy chicken. I say it in a nice way. Crazy chicken means energy," Kevin O'Leary stated.
Trending
Although O'Leary's comment on Shark Tank was meant as praise, it touched a nerve with Roq Innovation's founder. Despite the initial discomfort, Graham secured a joint investment deal with O'Leary and guest Shark Peter Jones, valued at $200,000 for 20% of Roq Innovation. Graham accepted the offer, feeling validated by the recognition and eager to move forward.
Roq Innovation's journey beyond Shark Tank explored
Raquel Graham's path to success was far from instantaneous. A graduate of Northwestern University, Graham excelled in high-profile roles at J.P. Morgan and Ebony before transitioning to entrepreneurship. Using her marketing expertise, Graham crafted effective strategies to drive her business forward.
The concept of Roq Innovation emerged from Graham's personal experience as a concerned mother. During a harsh Chicago winter, she struggled to keep her young children warm, prompting her to search for alternative solutions. When she found none, Graham took it upon herself to create a product that would meet her needs.
The result was NEKZ, a functional and appealing scarf designed with her children in mind. Despite the appearance of rapid success, Graham faced significant challenges as a Black female entrepreneur, including financial constraints. To make ends meet, Graham juggled freelance work while building her brand.
Her journey was marked by perseverance, supported by her family and friends. She made sacrifices, turning down business opportunities due to financial limitations. Graham's experience underscored the reality that financial resources are often essential for growth, and entrepreneurial challenges often forced her to reevaluate her approach.
Initially, instead of dedicating herself fully, she took a more cautious route. However, a friend's insightful observation helped Graham realize she was holding herself back. This revelation gave her the momentum she needed to commit to her business. Scaling proved difficult, but she adapted by hiring contractors to assist since full-time or part-time employees were not feasible at the time.
As a result, Graham took on multiple responsibilities while delegating tasks when possible. This hands-on approach allowed her to develop a close understanding of every aspect of her business. Since appearing on Shark Tank, Roq Innovation has experienced rapid growth, with estimated sales reaching $4 million in 2022, according to Shark Tank Recap.
The company has gained significant media attention, featuring on prominent shows such as The View, Good Morning America, and The Drew Barrymore Show, as well as publications like Forbes and Black Enterprise. Raquel continues to innovate by introducing new products to her lineup.
With the support of two Shark Tank investors, Roq Innovation's product range has expanded to include face masks, neck wraps, and various beanie styles available on their website and Amazon. The Head Lightz beanie has garnered over 1,000 positive reviews on Amazon. Recently, Raquel introduced Handy Lightz, a flashlight glove designed to illuminate detailed work, further diversifying her product offerings.
Shark Tank is currently airing its 16th season on Fridays at 8/7c on ABC. This season will be marked as Mark Cuban's final season on the show.
