S08.E16: Tranquilo, Doc Spartan, Peaceful Fruits, F.F.T.O.B

[Jesse]

I don't understand why people here are saying they think a doctor would be better at comforting a crying baby than a nurse? I've worked with a lot of doctors, and they don't tend to be super comforting. Great at a lot of things, but not that soothing, as a rule.

[ClareWalks]

My one question about the vibrating mat is, how is it operated? Batteries? Rechargeable? I didn't see any obvious power source. I thought a vibrating mat is a good idea because I used my vibrating swing fairly often, but it would have been nice to have a more portable option. Pretty expensive, though. I wouldn't have bought one, but wouldn't have turned my nose up at such a shower gift.

[ae2]

1 hour ago, Jesse said:

I don't understand why people here are saying they think a doctor would be better at comforting a crying baby than a nurse? I've worked with a lot of doctors, and they don't tend to be super comforting. Great at a lot of things, but not that soothing, as a rule.

I'm not sure people are saying the doctors are great at comforting a baby, but at identifying the problem ailing a frequently crying baby. But the entrepreneur basically said that she knows better than doctors, and that doctors often tell parents that their baby has gas or heartburn when they don't have any clue what is actually wrong with the baby.

This may well be true, but if you're going to make incensing claims about baby health you should be able to back it up with studies and research.

[needschocolate]

Acai Guy - His price seemed typical for the single serving fruit roll up you buy at the check stand of Trader Joes.  If he wants any success, he needs to have better packaging - let people know that they are saving the planet/rainforest or helping people in third world countries.  

On 2/10/2017 at 7:11 PM, Fabricationary said:

I share Mark's skepticism about the efficacy of the essential oil-based healing lotion; the photo they showed of the knee replacement scar looks like a typical photo of a post-op knee after surgical staples are removed and its relatively normal self-healing.  Because it's marketed as an OTC remedy, it wouldn't have to pass FDA inspection and go through double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.  I don't foresee safety issues; I just think it would be no more effective than any other non-prescription moisturizing ointment.

I thought they said the "after" picture was months later.  It might have been weeks, but it didn't impress me much.  

And how do you keep the balm clean? Using it on a wound then using it on another wound (or another person's wound) sounds like an infection waiting to happen.  

On 2/11/2017 at 1:38 PM, Amarsir said:

Technically, what she said is "Fire departments don't want to throw this stuff away." And then to the landfill part she added "or they store them". ITA on her being annoying, but what she actually said there wasn't a contradiction.

Then later she said she would use rolls of the same fabric instead, so I guess she doesn't really care about what to do with old ones.  Fortunately, it sounds like Lori wants to make some from old uniforms and a knock-off from the rolls.  

I am no expert on fashion, but I thought the bags were not so good-looking and that there only charm was because they were made from actual uniforms.  

On 2/11/2017 at 3:05 PM, starri said:

Well she was an infant-crying specialist.  Whatever that means.

Not sure what it means either, but she must be a infant crying specialist because she taught the babies in the sample videos how to stop crying on cue.  

On 2/11/2017 at 4:03 PM, roctavia said:

I think the mat thing might work for some kids, sure... but a bouncy seat with a vibrating setting might do the same thing...or the vibrating might make the baby more upset. Or it will work one night but not all the time. I think it will sell, because baby products sell... but I don't think it's the end all/be all of baby crying.

I bought  a bouncy seat that vibrates - cost was around $25.  Also have a swing with vibrate setting- it was a hand-me-down so I don't know the price, but it was probably in the $150 range, I would guess, and does more than her mat.  The mat may be a good idea for some, but it was overpriced. 

[KaveDweller]

On 2/11/2017 at 1:47 PM, cooksdelight said:

Do the Sharks not do any research before taping? I mean, they have to know what products and pitches are coming. Or Lori just doesn't care and thinks she can sell anything.

I think I read that they have no idea what products they will be seeing pitches for. The producers even use a screen to hide whatever examples they are setting up, so that the Sharks don't have time to guess what the product is.

8 hours ago, marny said:

I'm incredibly sick of Mark telling entrepreneurs that they "have a product, not a business".  This is the guy who invested in Dude Wipes.  How on earth is that a business and not a product?  I think he said that to the firemen bag lady, and her company is much more of a business than a bunch of wet wipes for guys.  I personally thought her bags were pretty ugly, but I thought his dropping out for that reason was nonsense.  If you don't want to work with a crazy person who makes ugly bags, just say so.

Saying they "have a product, not a business" is just a nice way to say he's not interested, thinks the person is annoying, hates the product, thinks it won't make money, etc. If Mark really hates the entrepreneur he will say those things, but normally he tries to be nicer.

1 hour ago, needschocolate said:

Not sure what it means either, but she must be a infant crying specialist because she taught the babies in the sample videos how to stop crying on cue.  

I bought  a bouncy seat that vibrates - cost was around $25.  Also have a swing with vibrate setting- it was a hand-me-down so I don't know the price, but it was probably in the $150 range, I would guess, and does more than her mat.  The mat may be a good idea for some, but it was overpriced. 

I would have asked how many takes they had to do when filming that video.

I am sure the vibration thing will work on some babies, but you are going to run into problems if you claim all babies will react the same way to it.

[Jersey Guy 87]

16 hours ago, ClareWalks said:

My one question about the vibrating mat is, how is it operated? Batteries? Rechargeable? I didn't see any obvious power source. I thought a vibrating mat is a good idea because I used my vibrating swing fairly often, but it would have been nice to have a more portable option. Pretty expensive, though. I wouldn't have bought one, but wouldn't have turned my nose up at such a shower gift.

I would have to assume it's batter powered.  A power cord would be a strangulation risk.  I'm sure you can sell those things, though, because new parents will buy lots of crap trying to figure out what works and what doesn't.

The ointment guy was bad.  Dressed like an idiot, all sorts of wild claims about his product and the packaging stunk.  I'm with Mark - you want to make claims like that you better have some research to back them up.

Firefighter bags were confusing to me.  I'm not really clear on how they get their raw materials and the idea of creating a knock-off of your own product seemed dumb to me as well.  She should have taken Robert's offer.

At least the fruit roll up guy dressed appropriately.  His packaging didn't play up the social enterprise end of things, I'm not sure why he thinks anyone is buying his fruit snack instead of any other one.

[Kiss my mutt]

I couldn't believe that nurse works 80 hours a week as a pediatric nurse in Boston and only makes $1000 a month. Just what kind of nursing background does she have?  Even medical assistants make more than that. 

[VSee842]

I couldn't believe that nurse works 80 hours a week as a pediatric nurse in Boston and only makes $1000 a month. Just what kind of nursing background does she have?  Even medical assistants make more than that. 

I could be wrong, but I thought she said she worked only 8 hours a week and devoted 80 to the business.

[chocolatine]

10 minutes ago, VSee842 said:

I could be wrong, but I thought she said she worked only 8 hours a week and devoted 80 to the business.

I thought that's what she said also.

[Tara Ariano]

In case you missed it, here's the Previously.TV post on the episode!

Shark Tank Shows Us How To Bag A Deal

Some times it isn't just about striking the right deal. In this episode, we learn that it's just as important to deal with the right Shark.

[Kiss my mutt]

Thanks for the clarification @VSee842  that makes more sense. 

Way to go Robert for getting two deals in one show  I can't remember the last time that happened.  Has Kevin made a deal this season?

[RemoteControlFreak]

If the sharks dismiss turnout gear as "a product, not a company," then isn't the vibrating baby thing also a product?  It makes no sense. There's plenty of opportunity to expand the stuff made from firefighter gear. What's the opportunity to expand a vibrating pad?

Also, firefighter gear lady, please get off my TV.  You are giving all women in business a bad reputation with your ditzy giggling twirling crying begging and claiming how great you are as a manger even after you just said you had no experience setting up a warehouse or managing employees.

[theatremouse]

When they say "product not a company" I interpret that to mean "you had one good idea for a nifty thing, but you don't know how to run a business and everyone else can make their own version of your product and yours will cease to exist". So it's not so much about "opportunity to expand" as it is faith in the person running the business to keep it competitive in the space and/or having something patented that gives them a leg up on the competition, even if it might remain a one-product company for a while. If the one product is small-market enough, then it is also about needing to be able to expand, because there's no way a shark can make enough dough off their investment and effort. So it's a little of both depending on the product/company.

[shksabelle]

Fire bag lady and her prop husband

the bags were hideous. $350 will buy a stylish Michael Kors or Kate Spade, and you can make a donation to your lovsl fire fighters. 

Something about her - maybe the shoes? - made me wonder when she stopped "dancing"

[MrSmith]

On 2/18/2017 at 9:51 AM, RemoteControlFreak said:

What's the opportunity to expand a vibrating pad?

Well, there's .... oh, wait. Those exist already. Oh! And there's ... oh, wait. Those exist, too. Never mind. :D

Edited February 20, 2017 by MrSmith

[LeGrandElephant]

I've heard of people taking their babies for drives in the car or putting their carseat on the running washing machine to get them to sleep, so I imagine a vibrating pad might work well for those babies. Kinda surprised it doesn't exist already. We had a vibrating pillow when I was a kid, for lower back pain. Seems like there are already lots of vibrating products out there, I'm surprised this one wasn't already around now that I think about it. 

[wrlord]

Niki Rasor: Batsh*t crazy has never looked so hot.