Surviving the Shark Tank

By Rachael Kosinski ‘18

Dave Alwan, the first two-time competitor on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” shared his experiences with students at the annual Distinguished Entrepreneur Speaker Series lecture.

The founder of Bartonville, Illinois-based Echo Valley Meats was the first contestant in show history to receive an offer to return to the popular business-focused show.

“I didn’t realize the power of ‘Shark Tank,’” he said. “Everyone wanted to hear the shark tank story because people are intrigued with the idea of ‘Shark Tank,’ especially entrepreneurs.”

Earlier this year, Alwan asked for a $150,000 investment into his business and received competitive offers from several of the “Shark Tank” executives. He ultimately worked out a deal with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban that gave Cuban a 25 percent stake in the business’s mail-order operations and an option for the same deal in Echo Valley Meats’ retail division.

“I decided if Mark made an offer I’d take it,” Alwan said. “I knew if anyone could connect the dots or open doors, it would be Mark Cuban.”

Alwan trusted Cuban because the two had become friends since Alwan’s first “Shark Tank” appearance in 2013.

The local businessman credited his success to persistence and willingness to improve.

“You’re going to get what you worked for, not what you wish for,” Alwan said. “You’re going to get knocked down or beat up, but you need to get up, dust off your shoes and get going.”

Payton Drake ’17, a mechanical engineering major from Lincoln, Illinois, found the night inspirational as he contemplated his future.

“It’s cool to hear the story of someone who has been successful in life,” he said. “There are lots of things I could do, and entrepreneurship is obviously something that could be part of my future.”