In the annals of tech history, few stories are as inspiring and cautionary as that of Ronald Wayne. As the often-overlooked third co-founder of Apple, Wayne’s early departure from the company would come to define his legacy – a tale of missed opportunities and “what might have been.” In 1976, a 42-year-old Wayne joined forces with a pair of bright-eyed visionaries, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. With the trio’s combined talents, they sought to make a dent in the burgeoning computer industry. Wayne, whose background in engineering and design had led him to work with Jobs at Atari, brought a…
Author: Gemma Paredes
Gemma Paredes
Gemma graduated with a degree in Accounting and Business Management and has over 10 years experience as a freelance writer. She's passionate about entrepreneurship and has previously worked in recruitment.
In 2011, Ted Williams’ smooth, radio-friendly voice propelled him from homelessness to overnight fame. Dubbed “The Man With the Golden Voice,” he went from panhandling on the streets of Ohio to lucrative deals with Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, MSNBC, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and more. But the former drug addict’s meteoric rise was followed by a series of setbacks, as he grappled with his newfound celebrity status and the challenges of sobriety. Struggles with Addiction and Rehab Williams’ overnight fame began with a viral video posted by The Columbus Dispatch in 2011. However, his struggle with addiction soon overshadowed his success.…
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are all over America. These communities are filled with culture, talents, and aspirations. As an HBCU graduate, Ashley Jones wanted to encompass all of these aspects in her clothing brand, Tones of Melanin. She pitched her brand on Shark Tank and got a deal with Mark Cuban. As of 2023, Tones of Melanin is worth an estimated $4 million. Founder’s Background Ashley Jones hails from Virginia and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Norfolk State University, the institution that helped her realize her purpose. There, she participated in several volunteering…
When Eric Goodchild and Jake Slatnick walked into the Shark Tank in 2019, they were hopeful that their wireless charging product, Aira, could impress the Sharks. The duo co-founded Aira in 2017, with Goodchild, an electrical engineer, and Slatnick, a serial entrepreneur, they combined their skills to create something special. As of 2023, Aira is worth an estimated $40 million! They proposed a deal to the Sharks – $500,000 for 7% equity in their venture. Their plan was to use Aira’s technology as a licensing business. The pitch was bold, and it worked. They caught the attention of three Sharks:…
Bohana has been making a splash in the health food market since appearing on season 11 of Shark Tank. The brand, which offers a nutritious alternative to popcorn, has experienced significant growth since March 2020! Although there’s two founders behind the idea, Nadine Habayeb came alone but bagged a deal with Kevin O’Leary. As of 2023, Bohana is worth an estimated $3 million. Founders’ Backgrounds Bhartia and Habayeb, the dynamic duo behind Bohana, come from diverse backgrounds but share a passion for healthy snacking. Bhartia, originally from India, discovered the benefits of Ayurveda and the water lily seed during her…
Noggin Boss has taken the market by storm since appearing on season 13 of Shark Tank. Founders Gabe Cooper and Sean Starner have transformed their passion for larger-than-life headwear into a thriving business, despite initial challenges. Noggin Boss is worth an estimated $1 million as of 2023. The valuation has increased 5x since the show! Appearing on Shark Tank $30,000 in sales in the first four months caught the attention of the Sharks. Their biggest hurdle was securing licensing rights for the logos customers wanted, which they couldn’t fulfill for 95% of their orders. The Sharks saw potential in the…
Lovepop is a pop-up greeting card company founded by two friends, Wombi Rose and John Wise. The two met in 2006 while studying marine engineering and reconnected again at Havard business school. In 2014, they pooled together their design and business skills to create a unique line of greeting cards. Currently, Lovepop is worth an estimated $20 million. In 2015, the duo appeared on season 7 of Shark Tank, seeking to raise $300,000 in exchange for 10%. Their 3-D pop-up cards are designed with intricate layers of paper, carefully crafted to create an origami-like experience. The Sharks were impressed by…
Andrew Wilkinson is a Canadian entrepreneur and venture capitalist with a net worth of $300 million! Andrew is the founder of Tiny, a holding company that owns over 40 businesses including Dribble, MetaLab and Pixel Union. In recent times, he’s become known for his thought leadership on Twitter and appearing on the My First Million podcast. Born in Vancouver, Andrew studied Journalism at Ryerson University. While working at a coffee shop, he came across customers who were web designers. This inspired him to launch Matlab in 2007, initially the company designed simple websites and apps for small businesses. Within two…
Dapper Boi is a gender-neutral clothing brand that sells unique designs in a wide range of sizes. The company caters to those who want to wear more inclusive clothes. Being part of this community themselves, Vicky and Charisse Pasche appeared on Shark Tank but didn’t get a deal. As of 2023, Dapper Boi is worth an estimated $3 million. About the Founders Victoria and Charisse Pasche are an LGBTQ couple from San Diego. Vicky studied mass media communication at SUNY Plattsburgh, and Charisse has an MA in business psychology from the University of the Rockies. Before starting a clothing line,…
Roq Innovation aims to create products to make everyone’s life a little easier. The company flagship product is Headlightz, perfect for situations where you need an extra hand in the dark. Raquel Graham pitched her stylish hats on Shark Tank and struck a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Peter Jones. Currently, Roq Innovations is worth an estimated $3 million. Founders’ Background: Raquel’s Journey Raquel Graham is a mother of two from Chicago, Illinois and studied history and economics at Wesleyan University. Graham later got her MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Even before getting an MBA, Raquel worked…