![]() When Trina came before the sharks, antlers atop her head, she introduced herself and announced she was looking for a $50,000 investment, in exchange for 10% equity in the Hoppy Paws Business. Finally, after months of frantically preparing for the show, she appeared in the Tank in December 2014. Somehow she also found the time to watch every previous episode of Shark Tank to prepare herself for the type of questions she would be asked. ![]() In the short space of time before she pitched to the sharks she quit her job, invested over $100,000 in her new Hoppy Paws business, developed the product design, the branding and packaging, completed a small production run of printing kits and set up a trade show display. Not actually having a business, or a finished product, at that stage would usually lead to a disastrous Shark Tank appearance for most applicants, but Trina went into a frenzy of activity. Trina only had a rough idea of her pitch and business idea, but just a few hours after her audition, she received the news that she had been accepted, and would be appearing on the show in only three months time. She got her opportunity when she saw that Shark Tank producers were holding open auditions for the show in San Diego. Trina was a successful interior designer, yet she still dreamed of one day turning the Hoppy Paws concept into a successful business. Reindeer Tracks adding to the magic of Christmas for children The Hoppy Paws business was born with Trina supplying reindeer tracks kits for her friends to use, but the part time business was more of a fun and slightly profitable hobby, rather than a serious entrepreneurial endeavour. The kids loved the idea, and Trina’s neighbors were soon inquiring where they could buy their own print sets. One of the many ways she kept the magic alive for them was by staying up late at night at Easter, and making stencils to leave a trail of Easter bunny paw prints, leading to the Easter eggs. Years later, when Trina was herself a parent, she made sure that her daughters would enjoy their own childhoods, and the holidays, as much as possible. ![]() Her older brother passed away unexpectedly when he was still just a teenager, and it had a devastating effect on her family, who all eventually drifted apart. Trina Barkouras, from Newport Beach, California didn’t have the best possible childhood, particularly during holiday times.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |