ENTREPRENEUR: Billy Blanks, Jr.
PITCH: Billy Blanks Jr.'s Dance With Me
ASKING FOR: $100k for a 20% stake
BEST PART OF THE PITCH: Billy's dad is the creator of Tae Bo. He wanted to create a fun, all-inclusive dance workout for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. He provides a sample of how his dance workout works. He has the Sharks dancing in their seats and even gets Mark out on the floor. Billy has two DVDs on the market and four more on the way. He's looking for an investor for an instructor certification program so he can train teachers for live classes.
DO THE SHARKS BITE? The Sharks want a piece of the retail business, so they want to know if Billy is willing to combine businesses. He is. Barbara wants to know why his dad isn't an investor. Billy is very diplomat in his answer. The nicest way to say it is that he's making Billy earn his money. Barbara isn't clear about the business, so she's out. Robert, too. It's not an investment for Kevin either. He's out. Daymond asks Mark if he wants to partner on a deal. It'll be $100k for a 50% stake that's contingent on a deal with the established dance music company Zumba.
THE RESULT: Billy doesn't want to hurt the uniqueness of his product by teaming with Zumba. He has a chat with his wife about the possible extension of their brand through this other company. Billy simply doesn't want to bundle his brand with another. Mark and Daymond try to convince him that's not what's happening here. Billy just can't see it though. He declines the deal and leaves the tank. Daymond actually follows him out. He convinces a tearful Billy and his wife that he will do whatever he can to help them be a success. Billy believes him. They have a deal.
WANT TO KNOW MORE: Visit http://www.meettheblanks.com
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