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Shark Tank Season 11 premiere episode showcased a business Minus Cal founded by Barrett Jacques and Crom Carmichael who were seeking $500k for a 20% equity. The founders pitched the idea of their protein bars, which would block fat and help people in their weight loss journey.
Additionally, they claimed that all their products, including supplements, consisted of a green tea extract called Choleve which would eliminate the absorption of fat in the body to a certain extent.
After their pitch, all sharks backed out from placing an offer due to the vague claims as well as the way the founders defended their statements. Mark Cuban was the first shark to question the founders about their product, he implied that the name itself might make the consumer think that it is an alternative way to instant weight loss. He continued:
"Look guys you know I'm skeptical about all this stuff. You can't claim that it's going to reduce 100 calories out of what you eat by taking two pills. Your T-shirt says minus cal, when a consumer looks at it, what do you think he's going to think?"
Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban questioned Barrett and Crom's claims
Despite Barret and Crom claiming that they didn't make any statement about their product instantly reducing weight, Mark Cuban wasn't satisfied. He questioned the product's name and what impression it might leave on the consumer. According to the Shark Tank investor, the name of the business itself might mislead people into thinking that this product is an easy way of eliminating fat from the body and losing weight. Mark explained:
"Minus cal, the strategy is to make you think that this is how we do this. Do you guys really think they invested this product out of nothing and gave it a name? So you took green tea extract right and you invented a product. Because that green tea molecule can lower your cholesterol by 20 percent right, everybody knows that."
He told other sharks, including Robert, that they were about to invest in "air." Meanwhile, Herjavec emphasized that he wanted to understand more about the product. Crom Carmichael defended his snack bars and diet tablets stating that their products consisted of a molecule that is derived from green tea. With a larger amount of that extract's percentage, the product can "block fat." The founder said:
"Mark it's not air. Mark let me say this, I have the data to back it up so if you want to get out, get out but you're wrong."
Mark and Crom got into an argument after the Shark Tank investor refused to believe that diet pills can lower cholesterol. Robert chimed in on the conversation, mentioning that the business strategy of Minus Cal was unclear. He also pointed out that Mark's "level of arrogance" was "pissing him off." Robert said that Mark wasn't letting the owners speak, which was intimidating them. Their conversation concluded with Robert backing out as well alongside Lori and Kevin.
The Minus Cal owners repeatedly defended themselves and emphasized they didn't claim their product would lead to instant weight loss. However, Robert pointed out the sign on their banner that said "lose weight," questioning their statements further.
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All episodes of Shark Tank are available to stream on ABC.
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