"Entrepreneurial without vision": Shark Tank mentor Robert Herjavec recalls his honest mindset from when he was 19

Shark Tank mentor Robert Herjavec shared an Instagram clip featuring himself and investor Grant Cardone on March 24, 2025. Both discussed various mindsets and entrepreneurial vision at Grant Cardone's 10X conference. The video clip features the host, Grant, asking Robert whether he was an "entrepreneur" as a kid.

Robert Herjavec responded that despite being an "entrepreneur" and having such a mindset, he didn't have the "vision." Initially, he didn't have the idea of starting his business and being his own "boss."

"I was entrepreneurial without vision. So this idea of starting a business, being your own boss, controlling your own destiny, it wasn't that. It was just a way to make extra money. But my vision, like when I was 19, I had a vision board. And my vision was to buy a used Corvette, maybe pay off my house in my lifetime and make a thousand dollars for my age," said the Shark Tank mentor.

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Shark Tank mentor Robert Herjavec discussed the "poverty" mindset and being an entrepreneur

While at the 10X Growth conference, Shark Tank judge Robert Herjavec and investor Grant Cardone discussed various entrepreneurial aspects, mindsets, vision, and how they learned various mindsets early on in their career. The video clip was captioned with:

"Vision without action is a daydream, action without vision is a nightmare. Poverty is nothing but a MINDSET."

Robert Herjavec revealed that, at first, he didn't know about being his "own boss" and starting a business. For him, during the initial days, it was merely a way of "making extra money."

However, he mentioned having a "vision board" at 19. At the time, his vision was to buy a "used Corvette." Another "maybe" thing on his vision board was to pay off his house during his lifetime and make a "thousand dollars" for his age. He mentioned making 50 grand a year by the age of 50.

"So when I'm 50, to be making 50 grand a year, that was it. Like that was to me killing," added Robert Herjavec.

Listening to the Shark Tank investor, the host told him it was the "poverty" mindset and then shared history. Grant Cardone recalled growing up with a single mom, and his goal was to make $10,000 in passive income yearly.

"I grew up with a single mom and my goal was $10,000 in passive income a year. I couldn't think bigger than that. How important is the idea? Whatever you're putting on that vision board or people underestimating what they're capable of or they overestimating," said the host.

Robert mentioned that they weren't "capable" of thinking bigger at the time. He also faced a similar situation. Additionally, it took him "a while" to get out of that particular mindset.

Shark Tank mentor revealed how sometimes he meets individuals who complement him by saying:

"Gosh, I wish I was born like you. I wish I could talk to people. I wish I was confident."

However, Robert mentioned he was "afraid" of his own shadow until the age of 19 and didn't have anything figured out then. He added that entrepreneurship was a "skilled" mindset that needs to be "learned." He also referred to being successful as a "learned mindset."

Shark Tank's mentor concluded by saying that "anybody" can do it with "enough focus, enough energy, and enough education."

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Fans can follow Shark Tank mentor Robert Herjavec through his socials (Instagram: @robertherjavec).