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Study and play come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the unreal college deal. Everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 Premium and a year of Xbox game Pass ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller. Learn more@windows.com studentoffer while supplies last ends June 30th terms at aka mscollegepc. You're listening to the Travis Makes Money podcast presented by gohighlevel.com for a free 30 day trial of the best all in one digital marketing software tool on the planet, just go to gohighlevel.com travis what's going on everybody? Welcome back to the Travis Makes Money podcast where it's mission to help you make more money on this episode of the show. My producer Eric is in studio. What's up Eric?
B
What's up my brother? You excited for. We'll just move past that. Excited.
A
Thank you.
B
You excited for Thursday? What's Thursday, bro? What's Thursday?
A
You never tell me anything.
B
Dude, we're going to see Scary Movie Thursday.
A
Yeah, I know. I was just giving you a hard
B
time at 7:10 at an undisclosed location.
A
Yeah, I was going to say just tell everybody your exact itinerary.
B
I'm always so careful. And then I'm just like, well this
A
episode's going to come out way after.
B
I can't wait to see at the AMC Town Square at 7:10 where I will be unarmed. Feel free to roll up if you're a fan of the show. Anyway, I'm excited to see that movie with you. Yeah, you know, I've been going to. I'm a Regal Unlimited.
A
Real quick, should I be watching the other scary movies? I don't think I've ever watched any of them.
B
You should watch the first two.
A
Okay.
B
But I mean it's not, I doubt, I'm sure that there's no continuity actually,
A
but just like in the way that they film or you know, the way.
B
Yeah, like to get the vibe, you know, we could do it right now actually.
A
All right, let's.
B
Here, let's start.
A
Stop recording.
B
You'll. You'll definitely like the characters. You'll get like a vibe for who they. But I would say if you just watch the first, I would assume that'll be enough. And then I think anything, I think after two is when they lost the franchise and so like the Wayans. What's she calling that day? The Mayan Wayans or Something I said.
A
Damon Wayman.
B
Damon Wayman. Yeah. Yeah. So now every time I say, I'm like, am I saying it right? But anyway, they didn't do anything from three on. I think three's one of the funniest ones, though. I feel kind of bad. He's like, that one's horrible. I don't know. But anyway, yeah, I watched the first two. Or going blind. I don't know.
A
Okay.
B
One of the worst movies I ever saw in theaters was scary movie 6.
A
This is the 7th.
B
Scary movie 5. Scary movie 5. But again, they had nothing to do with it. But I went to go see it, and it was very terrible.
A
Took too many swings or, like, didn't land.
B
Yeah, like, they didn't really swing and they didn't even really get it to land anywhere.
A
I see.
B
It was just bad.
A
They're basically just playing on IP and didn't make anything good.
B
Yeah.
A
Off of it.
B
So I'm a Regal Unlimited member, which means I can go see.
A
But this is also the Waynes brothers, though.
B
Yeah, this is. Yeah, they got it back.
A
Yeah.
B
So anyway, this is all a segue to say I'm a Regal Unlimited member.
A
Good for you.
B
I see a lot of movies.
A
Can anybody get those?
B
Listen, so anyway, so I see a lot of movies.
A
I'm a member of Con.
B
So anyway, I see a lot of movies. See a lot of movies. Pretty much any that I'm interested in, I go see. Pretty crazy. And that means I've seen. They show the same trailers for the most part in front of most movies. So I've seen a lot of trailers. You know what my least favorite trailer on the planet is?
A
The one that's 45 minutes into trailers.
B
My least favorite trailer is for a while. It was. There was a Colleen Hoover movie.
A
Oh, I do know what your least favorite trailer is.
B
Reminders of him. That was bad. But now that's done. What do you. You know what it is now?
A
I think it's the He Man.
B
No, it's. I've only seen that trailer before. Mortal Kombat. I haven't really seen it in front of many other movies.
A
We saw it in front of Mandalorian.
B
Does it look good to you? It looks kind of bland, right? Like generic.
A
I thought it was a video game when I saw it the first time I saw Marshall for it. I thought it was a video game
B
because the graphics, like, it looks so. It looks like the worst version of a Marvel movie.
A
Yeah, seemingly, but Knockoff Guardians of the Galaxy. Probably would not watch it in theaters. But I'd probably watch it when it comes out just for fun.
B
Yeah. Yeah. Maybe I'll get a root canal.
A
I like Guardians of the Galaxy, though.
B
I do, too. I'm saying it looks like a knockoff version of it.
A
Oh, I see.
B
Anyway, no, it's that Nate Borgazzi movie, Breadwinner, and they played that before every movie. Horror movie, comedy. It's really.
A
I haven't seen it at all.
B
I have seen that trailer every movie I've been to for, like, the last, like, five months. It's crazy, and I hate the trailer.
A
And I hope the movie's better than the trailer.
B
The scene. Doubtful. The scene always opens with. And he's so funny, so that's what's confusing. But anyway, they have a scene where they're on Shark Tank. Yeah, yeah, yeah. In the beginning. And that is a very loose connection to the clip I'm gonna play. Okay. So that was it. I was just gonna say I'm sick of it. Oh, well, here's what I was gonna say. I used to love Shark Tank. I was upset. I would watch it so much, and I didn't realize that came out when I was in high school. I was thinking back.
A
That's pretty crazy.
B
It's kind of like Impractical Jokers. Like, it's one of the shows that's been around so long, and I used to watch in, like, 11th grade. But anyway, you were in college. But anyway, hold. But anyway, now I hate Shark Tank. I hate Shark Tank. And I'll never watch another episode of Shark Tank again because I'm so sick of seeing that stupid scene in the Breadwinner trailer just because of that. Yep. So I won't ever do it again. Okay.
A
That's so funny.
B
But there's a clip I came across on Instagram for. Of a comedian, and he has advises people against Shark Tank. And I want you to hear why.
A
Interesting.
B
Once you hear why. I thought this was the. I thought this was the dumbest standup clip I've seen in a while. Because I was like, bro, if you're giving real advice here, this is dumb.
A
Yeah.
B
I hope you're playing a buffoon on stage. I hope this is a character where you're dumb.
A
Yeah.
B
Anyway, here we go. You ready?
C
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A
You could say that again.
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B
This is incredible.
D
Wow.
A
I am clearing the rest of the day.
C
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B
well, you'll hear it. I mean, here it is. If you have an idea, go on.
D
Shark Tank. There are places that offer much better terms than the Shark Tank Sharks. I happen to have an accounting and finance degree from Boston College. It's no Harvard was our motto.
A
That's a good joke.
B
That was a funny. I like this guy. He's so funny.
D
Sounds much nicer in Latin. Okay, so here's a place where you can get better terms than the Shark Tank Sharks. And this is where you should take it. A bank. They make reasonable investments in small businesses. You know who else offers better terms than the Shark Tank Sharks?
A
The Devil.
D
He'll take your soul. He will not take as much of your annual net income as the Shark tank sharks. Also, Mr. Gazo from Rocky 1, the loan shark. He offers better terms than the Shark Tank Sharks. Do not go on Shark Tank. Have you had your name now?
B
Travis. Travis. Travis. Travis. Travis. You are good friends with one of the original sharks. As in you've had him on your show once.
A
Yeah, it's a loose definition of good friend.
B
But. And he endorsed you. You have an endorsement from one of the sharks, Kevin Harrington. Yeah. Now let me ask you this, Travis. Let's say this is real advice here, which I think he's being a little cheeky.
A
I think so.
B
He's a lot like a minion when they show their bottoms being cheeky.
A
Oh, yeah. But if it is.
B
If he's really saying that. And I think there's some sincerity in what he's saying though too. Do you think this advice is silly? Goofy?
A
Yeah, it's not good advice.
B
Do you think he's a big buffoon?
A
I don't think he's.
B
Do you think he should never go on stage again?
A
I don't think.
B
Do you think he's probably the worst human being on the face of the
A
planet, I don't think.
B
I'm just kidding. No, I watched it.
A
I think you're taking it too far.
B
No, I watched it and I thought. This is. This is really dumb advice.
A
Yeah. The accounting degree thing also means nothing to me because that has nothing to do with starting a business and actually going through the process of trying to raise money. But, yeah, the advice is just not good advice in general. That's just bad advice. Now, also, a lot of these businesses that go on Shark Tank are not in a position to be able to get money from a bank. No, it's not. You don't. You don't just walk into a bank and go like, oh, I have an idea. And then they go, oh, here's a bunch of money. That's not how it works. Also, those are mostly structured as loans because it's a bank and you have to pay that money back. And you get no strategic advice. You get no partnerships. Okay.
B
Don't. You're going to do it on accident.
A
I'm jumping the gun.
B
Let's say this because I want to know if we're in sync here.
A
Okay.
B
When you think about the value add of going on Shark Tank, is the first thing you think about the money you're walking out with?
A
No. Are we on the same page there?
B
I assume from what's the value of appearing on Shark Tank, Travis?
A
First and foremost, it is the traffic and the eyeballs from people watching Shark Tank.
B
Is it fair to say that it's to be able to write as seen on Shark Tank on your product?
A
I was gonna say it's the traffic primarily, I think. And then secondarily, it's the credibility from putting that logo on your website and all of your ad, even if they
B
don't invest at all.
A
Correct? Correct. Yeah. I think ABC takes a percentage of all companies that go on Shark Tank. If I'm not mistaken.
B
Wait, hold on. What the hell? What?
A
Leave the network.
B
I'm with this guy. Don't go on Shark Tank. Wait, say that again.
A
It's fairly minimal.
B
But wait, of all.
A
I'm pretty sure if you are a company that makes it to the actual episode of Shark Tank and your episode gets aired because of the traffic and the credibility, I believe ABC takes a
B
cut of those businesses, even ones they don't invest in.
A
Even ones that get turned down by the sharks.
B
Heck, no. Hold on. I'm with this guy.
A
I think.
B
I didn't go to Boston Finance, whatever the hell, but I agree. Hold on.
A
Seriously, Is that true?
B
No. Hold on.
A
What are you saying?
B
You're a buffoon. What? Now that guy was right and you're wrong. I'm just saying. Here's what it says. Now that's crazy, dude. ABC no longer takes a percentage of Shark Tank businesses just for appearing on the show. But it used to have that clause in early seasons. In the original contestant contract, the production company finmax. Finmax? Sharks. Finmax. Is that why they call it that? Is that why it's called that?
A
I don't know.
B
The production company Finmax for ABC, Sony had the right to take either a 5% equity stake in the company or a 2% royalty on profits from any business that went on air. This applied whether or not a deal with a shark was actually made on camera. You know why they stopped doing it?
A
Why?
B
Mark Cuban. Mark Cuban's kind of the goat, huh? He seems so sensible all the time. Mark Cuban pushed back on this clause, arguing it would scare off stronger founders and weaken the quality of businesses willing to go on the show. In 2013, the year I graduated high school, and you were probably graduating college. Under that pressure, the network removed the clause. And Cuban has said it was removed retroactively for all prior contestants as well. Today, the only equity percentage typically changing hands is whatever deal a founder negotiates directly with Sharks, ABC does not automatically take an extra ownership cut just for appearing.
A
Okay.
B
The Sharks invest their own money, not ABCs, and they are paid as cast members separately by the network. That is crazy that they were doing that.
A
Yeah. I mean, but also still kind of worth it. That's what I'm saying. Like a lot of these businesses, but
B
equity in your company.
A
Yeah, but I mean, if you look at it from their perspective, when they're like, oh, we're at $200,000 in sales, nobody knows that we exist, and we're a consumer. Packaged goods that can't get any sort of good, like, marketing costs.
B
Yeah, yeah.
A
Then you go on ABC, and especially that time, Shark Tank had a massive, massive audience. I don't know what it looks like anymore, to be honest. Like, I haven't watched it in quite some time. I would assume their viewership is plummeted compared to its peak. I could be wrong on that, but that might just be my anecdotal experience.
B
I wish there was some way to know anymore.
A
But. But, like, at that time, though, like, they had so many eyeballs. Social media wasn't as big of a deal in 2000 as it is.
B
All right, you ready? So, yeah, Shark Tank's viewership has dropped significantly from its peak years, especially in the most recent seasons. In its peak era, which was roughly seasons four through seven, Shark Tank routinely pulled 7 million viewers per episode. It was a Friday night. Yeah, we used to watch it during dinner. Shark Tank. And then we'd be like, oh, that's a great idea. I should go on here. Since around season eight, the show has seen a steady decline with a much steeper drop starting in seasons 14 to 17. Season 15 averaged about 3.23 million viewers.
A
I mean, that's still a lot of viewers.
B
By season 16, 500 viewers. Don't see it. By season 16, 1.4 to 1.9 million viewers.
A
Wow.
B
And by late 2025 episodes around episodes saw around 1.38 million total viewers. In the key 18 to 49 age demo, Shark Tank's ratings has dropped as low as 0.11, making it one of ABC's weakest entertainment performers, despite still being a known brand.
A
Wow.
B
Season 17%. I'd have stroke. Season 17's premiere was about 25% down year over year versus season 16. And data shows see the goat. And data suggested Mark Cuban's exit accelerated the drop. His farewell episode nearly doubled typical Season 17 viewership, around 2.9 million versus 1 point.
A
So that shows how much I know. I didn't even know that he exited the show.
B
I didn't either. I just thought was that.
A
That was last season or this season or.
B
Yeah, it would be the end of 2025. Who replaced Mark Cuban?
A
I don't know. I do know that they have had quite a few different, like, guests.
B
Yeah. I mean, Kevin Harrington was early, but
A
he was supposed to be one of the main panelists. I don't know exactly what happened, but I don't think he even came back. Season two.
B
Was that what's Barbara. I think I saw something where they said she got fired right after they hired her for the show because they said we already have a woman on the panel.
A
Oh, really?
B
Yeah.
A
I didn't.
B
Crazy.
A
That is crazy.
B
Oh, Daniel Lubetzky replaced Mark Cuban.
A
Who's that?
B
He's the billionaire founder of Kind Snacks.
A
Oh, yes, I did see that, actually.
B
Yeah. Big name to replace him.
A
And he's got some money to play
B
with a little bit anyway.
A
But yeah, and they.
B
Oh, wow.
A
That tracks to me, though.
B
And they still have the star. Secret life for Walter Mitty. Kevin o'. Leary or not. Secret life of Walter Mitty.
A
That was a weird.
B
Why they weird?
A
Brain Fart.
B
Marty Supreme.
A
Marty Supreme.
B
Marty Mitty. Marty.
A
Sure.
B
Not even close.
A
Yeah, not really. Not really.
C
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A
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B
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A
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B
Let's go. Great movie. Both great movies, though.
A
Yeah.
B
That.
A
The. The drop in traffic makes sense to me. But also that's still, I mean, one and a half million eyeballs. Like, I mean, even if you're going to go on a podcast, like, there's not that many shows that get that type of viewership on every episode that they. They publish, especially in a business context. So, yeah, like at the beginning, it's. That makes a total sense to me as a network. Like, they sort of de. Risking yourself by taking equity stakes and businesses that are, you know, may or may not do well, but you only need one of them to do well. You know, like if they. I don't know if they. I don't know if this was after that point or if they let go of their equity because of the Mark Cuban thing or not, but, like, if they had any equity in Ring, they did pretty well off of that as a production company.
C
So.
A
Yeah, that, that tracks to me. They were like, hey, well, we're giving you 7 million eyeballs on your business.
B
Yeah.
A
Like, how many products have been discovered
B
on Shark Tank Scrub Daddy alone?
A
Well, and Ring Beef Jerky.
B
Was it Ring?
A
Ring was. Yeah, Ring was one. They all turned it down.
B
Yeah, but I'm saying. Yeah, like the reason. Yeah, okay.
A
Because I think some of those people don't care. I think some of the people are literally just for the logo and the traffic and then that. Beyond that, they're like, yeah, I'm not doing a deal like that. That doesn't make any sense.
B
How many full time hosts have there been on Shark Tank?
A
Full time hosts?
B
Yep.
A
Seven.
B
How'd you do that? Was it. Is it seven?
A
Yeah, dude, totally.
B
Dude, we need to get you on a show.
A
Price is right.
B
Who are they? Oh, name them.
A
Kevin Harrington. Kevin o', Leary, Barbara Corcoran.
B
Kevin Harrington doesn't count as a primary host.
A
Oh, really?
B
Yeah.
A
Interesting.
B
You should take it off his website then.
A
Yeah, totally. No. Kevin o'. Leary. Barbara Corcoran, Laurie Grenier, Robert Herjavec, Damon John. Did I already say Mark Cuban?
B
Nope.
A
Mark Cuban and Daniel Lubecki.
B
Bro, look at you. You're a big fan. Anyway, yeah, I saw that clip and I thought it was Goofy Doofy. Yeah, that's not a good idea.
A
Well, again, it just is misunderstanding what the reason is to go on that show. And the investment is obviously one thing, but also, again, a bank and an investment from a shark are two different deal structures. And I know Kevin o' Leary likes to play around with deal structures and do royalty things and loans and things like that, but for the most part, they're buying equity in the business, which means they're a partner, which means they have friends and connections. And it's just like one introduction. Like, you know, how long it would take somebody to try to figure out the. The. The, you know, the right buyer at this retail corporation like Walmart or something to get their product in, you know, a thousand Walmarts across the country. Like, that connection by itself is something that people work for for several years and can't figure out a door to get in. You know what I mean? And then you have a shark who buys 20% of your company and they just like send a text and put you in front of them on Zoom tomorrow morning. Like, the. Like to pretend that it's just about the money is. Is that's what's silly about the advice. It's like. And again, the bank is going to loan you money that you have to pay back at probably steep interest because your business isn't in a strong enough position to get a favorable terms for you. So if somebody's injecting capital in the business and taking percentage, you don't pay that money back. It's for actual growth and for whatever purposes you need it to be used for inside of the business. So there's. Yeah, there's several reasons why that advice is silly advice. If it's real, I hope that it's more.
B
I hope he's being more tongue in cheek.
A
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
B
All right. You know, it's. It's like kissing a Frenchman. It's tongue firmly planted in cheek. All right, go ahead and wrap us up. All right, well, that's something to that.
D
Sure.
A
Yeah, yeah.
B
Keep working it out.
A
Okay, remember, money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems. We got money in the bank, so let's start there here on the Travis Makes Money podcast. Thanks for tuning in. Catch you next time. Peace. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month, of course, if you enjoy overpaying.
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Host: Travis Chappell
Producer/Co-Host: Eric
Release Date: June 20, 2026
In this episode, Travis Chappell and co-host/producer Eric dive into the financial reality of "Shark Tank"—not just as a TV show but as a business platform. Through a mix of humor, cultural references, and real business insights, they dissect the various misconceptions around the value of pitching to the Sharks, what the show actually offers to entrepreneurs, and why some advice aimed at would-be "Shark Tank" contestants misses the mark. The duo highlight the importance of leverage, credibility, and strategic partnerships versus simply chasing investment. They also surface little-known facts about the show's contracts and discuss the sharp drop in its audience over the years.
Travis challenges the advice, pointing out that:
Eric emphasizes:
On the real value of Shark Tank:
On bad advice for would-be entrepreneurs:
On banks vs. Shark Tank investments:
On the early show’s infamous clause:
The episode offers a spirited, practical breakdown for anyone dreaming of pitching on Shark Tank or wondering about the broader entrepreneurial landscape. Travis and Eric make it clear: money isn’t the only thing that matters. The exposure, connections, and credibility you gain from platforms like Shark Tank can propel your business far beyond what a simple bank loan could achieve.
Memorable Sign-off:
"Remember, money only solves your money problems, but it's easier to solve the rest of your problems when you've got money in the bank. So let's start there here on the Travis Makes Money podcast." (Travis, 20:34)
For practical, down-to-earth money insights and motivation, catch daily episodes of Travis Makes Money.