BusinessIn the middle of February, producers and executives at Sony Pictures Television decided to pick Norwin High School Business teacher Mr. Aftanas to be a judge on the popular business-themed reality television series Shark Tank. They picked Mr. Aftanas to be a judge due to his experience, skills, and knowledge in business.
Mr. Aftanas has already been in a bunch of episodes of Shark Tank and has been very popular with the audience of the show due to his kindhearted and charismatic personality. He has also impressed the other judges on the show like Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, and Mark Cuban. They all say that Mr. Aftanas was a fantastic addition to the show, and he brings so much personality to the set.
One of the first things that Mr. Aftanas invested in was Flying Squirrels Incorporated, a company started by Norwin junior Addie Farrah. The company sells products for people who like flying squirrels, and their products include a small bag that people can put their flying squirrel in, cages to keep them in, exercise wheels, and even a human-sized flying squirrel suit that people can put on and fly around in.
Farrah offered 15% percent of the company for a $150,000 investment. Mr. Aftanas countered with his own offer of 20% percent of her company for a $150,000 investment, and both of them eventually came to an agreement that Mr. Aftanas would invest $150,000 into her company in exchange for Mr. Aftanas getting 17.5% percent of the company.
“I was so proud of Mr. Aftanas to see him chasing his dreams and putting himself out there,” said Norwin junior Jillian Ryba. “He’s an inspiration to his students and knows his information, so seeing him take this step in his career is truly remarkable.”
The next young entrepreneur who came to Mr. Aftanas was Richard Zula. Zula was a current senior from Norwin, and he claimed that his product would change the way people run forever. His product was called the Speedy Shoes and he said that anyone who put on the shoes would get ten times faster than they were before. Zula offered 15% percent of his company in exchange for $300,000 of investment. Mr. Aftanas declined Zula’s offer and stated how absurd the idea was.
Next up to the tank was Atticus Knight. Knight is a current Junior of Norwin, and his product was called the bouncy boots. He claimed that the bouncy boots can make you bounce over 10 stories off the ground and offered 15% percent of his Company in exchange for $200,000 of investment. Mr. Aftanas declined the offer and noting Knight’s lack of experience in business as his reasoning.
“He is really not like any other judge on the show,” said Shark Tank judge Daymond John. “ He doesn’t think like a wealthy entrepreneur but more like an average working person who is trying to make a successful business.”
The next guest on the show was Mary Jane Brosey. Brosey is a current Norwin sophomore and an inspiring entrepreneur. Her product is called the Athlete’s Backpack, which is a backpack specifically designed for athletes. It would have space for a water bottle, sports shoes, sports equipment, and anything that an athlete might need. She offered 15% percent of her company in exchange for $200,000 of investments. Mr. Aftanas was so impressed by her presentation that he accepted her offer almost immediately.
“I was so excited to pitch my product to the sharks,” said Brosey. “ I couldn’t believe that Mr. Aftanas accepted my offer. I never had this much money ever in my life.”
Mr. Aftanas is signed up to do at least a couple of seasons with the sharks, but if he is super popular with the audience, he might be on the show for longer.
“I’ve been having so much fun on this show already,” said Aftanas. “I enjoy watching people present their products and getting to hear their offers.”
Go check out the introduction to Mr. Aftanas being on Shark Tank
