Shark Tales: My Interview with Barbara Corcoran

29.08.11

When you watch Barbara Corcoran enter a room she doesn’t look like a Shark. She’s a slender woman with an inviting smile and outgoing personality. But when you watch her as one of the Sharks on ABC’s “Shark Tank” you get a look at Barbara the businesswoman, a powerhouse who turned a $1,000 loan into a $5 billion real estate business.

I was so excited to receive an exclusive invitation to interview Barbara since I am a big fan of hers. I don’t usually get nervous when I interview people but I must admit, I had major butterflies as she talked to me about being a Shark, working for yourself, and making your first million dollars. Here’s the interview:





Speaking of building successful businesses, there is still time to enter our WE Mastermind $5K Dream Business Start-Up contest at Facebook.com/WEMastermind. We just released the second video in our free series on launching a profitable online product and we’re also giving you our Lucrative Launch Blueprint for free at WEMastermind.com. Don’t miss out!

Send email

Natalie MacNeil

Natalie MacNeil is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of She Takes on the World. She is also the Co-founder of award-winning digital media firm, Imaginarius. For more information about Natalie, visit NatalieMacNeil.com.

View all articles by author
  • Charlene

    Love Barbara! And solid advice too – Just get it done and move on. Automate or delegate the mundane and routine and focus on building the business and getting new clients and sales. Go Barbara!

  • http://www.seekingserenity.co.uk Jo Livings

    Some great advice! Good interview!

  • http://blog.shoplet.com Grace

    I just started watching this show and I’m obsessed. Thanks for posting this interview!

  • http://www.shetakesontheworld.net Natalie MacNeil

    I’m obsessed too Grace! In Canada, we have Kevin and Robert on a show called “Dragon’s Den” which “Shark Tank” is based on. Being on a show like that is my dream gig for after I accomplish all my business goals and become an investor ;)

  • http://www.shetakesontheworld.net Natalie MacNeil

    Thanks Jo! Barbara was full of brilliant insights. She dishes more great advice in http://www.wemastermind.com!

  • http://www.shetakesontheworld.net Natalie MacNeil

    Love her too! I loved what she said about women focusing too much on the “to-dos” and not on the important tasks that actually build your business. Great advice. I see way too many women working IN their businesses and not ON them!

  • http://twitter.com/katgordon Katherine M. Gordon

    Fun interview, Natalie! I went to an event where Barbara spoke in May. My biggest takeaway from that was during the Q&A when someone asked her why she chose to sell her business when she did. Her answer was that she became a mom for the first-time at age 46 + that it changed everything for her. Previously she ran her business fearlessly, always knowing that if she lost it all, she could go back to living in a 1-bedroom apartment in Edgewater, NJ where she was raised. Yet once she had a child, she cared about school systems, neighborhoods, financial certainty. She actually said “I got to run my business ‘like a man’ until I was 46, but then it all changed with motherhood.” I respected her honesty and think many women can’t “be a shark” with their businesses due to similar concerns about providing a sure nest for their kids.

  • http://twitter.com/katgordon Katherine M. Gordon

    Fun interview, Natalie! I went to an event where Barbara spoke in May. My biggest takeaway from that was during the Q&A when someone asked her why she chose to sell her business when she did. Her answer was that she became a mom for the first-time at age 46 + that it changed everything for her. Previously she ran her business fearlessly, always knowing that if she lost it all, she could go back to living in a 1-bedroom apartment in Edgewater, NJ where she was raised. Yet once she had a child, she cared about school systems, neighborhoods, financial certainty. She actually said “I got to run my business ‘like a man’ until I was 46, but then it all changed with motherhood.” I respected her honesty and think many women can’t “be a shark” with their businesses due to similar concerns about providing a sure nest for their kids.

  • http://twitter.com/katgordon Katherine M. Gordon

    Fun interview, Natalie! I went to an event where Barbara spoke in May. My biggest takeaway from that was during the Q&A when someone asked her why she chose to sell her business when she did. Her answer was that she became a mom for the first-time at age 46 + that it changed everything for her. Previously she ran her business fearlessly, always knowing that if she lost it all, she could go back to living in a 1-bedroom apartment in Edgewater, NJ where she was raised. Yet once she had a child, she cared about school systems, neighborhoods, financial certainty. She actually said “I got to run my business ‘like a man’ until I was 46, but then it all changed with motherhood.” I respected her honesty and think many women can’t “be a shark” with their businesses due to similar concerns about providing a sure nest for their kids.

  • http://www.shetakesontheworld.net Natalie MacNeil

    I love that Kat, thanks for sharing! What a great takeaway. I wanted to ask her about that actually but I was limited in my time for the interview, understandably :) I wonder how different someone like Oprah’s business would be if she decided to have children? Thanks again Kat!

  • Yvonne, MyHalalKitchen

    What a great interview, Natalie– and how clever to do it by video! I love that and am so glad you were able to bring Barbara to us this way. She is definitely a role model for business women. Can you repeat the name of the website she recommended for postage? I couldn’t quite make it out. Thanks!