"Let's be pragmatic": Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary shares a story for "young lovestruck kiddies" to learn from

Shark Tank mentor Kevin O'Leary shared a clip via Instagram on February 17, 2025, about how one can be "pragmatic" in their choices.

Fans who follow Kevin must know how he enjoys sharing stories and giving examples whenever he shares tips, life lessons, and business knowledge.

In this recently shared reel on the platform, Kevin mentioned a young entrepreneur and how he was confused about choosing between his girlfriend and his business. While sharing his opinion, the Shark Tank mentor told him:

"I said, listen, let's be pragmatic about this. Which one is easier to replace? Your business or your fiance?"

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Shark Tank mentor Kevin O'Leary shares his opinion on being "pragmatic" and making decisions

Kevin O'Leary shared a reel stating a "story," an incident during one of his classes. Shark Tank investor mentioned one of the students, who was in his graduating year from the engineering branch. As Kevin stated, the student had designed a cloud-based platform for particular kinds of businesses.

"I'll tell you a story about a class I was teaching a few years ago. This fellow at the back raises his hand, and he says, "Can I ask you a question?" He was in his graduating year of engineering and he had designed a compliance cloud-based platform for hedge funds of $250 million and under. The run rate was $5 million of free cash flow a year while he was in his dorm."

The student asked Kevin if he had to decide on something his girlfriend told him.

Eager to know more about the context for that "decision-making," the Shark Tank investor asked him what it was about.

"I said, what's the decision?" asked Kevin.

The said boy shared his story. He mentioned that he and his girlfriend were engaged. However, she didn't want to stay engaged anymore but wanted to move forward with their life. She was referring to taking things to the next level.

The dilemma was the boy had "no time" for her family. He mentioned having no time for her, too. It was because he worked every weekend, all night long.

Hence, he didn't know what to do. That is why he approached the Shark Tank mentor. Additionally, the boy also shared that he didn't want to lose his girlfriend. Hence, he was looking for a solution.

"Well, we're engaged, but she doesn't want to live this way. I have no time for her family. I have no time for her. I work every weekend. I work all night. What do I do? I don't want to lose her." And now the class is you could have heard a pin drop," stated Kevin.

Listening to the boy's dilemma, Kevin offered him some advice. He asked the boy what was "easier to replace" for him. He told the boy to choose between his business and his fiance - so he had to choose whichever he could "easily replace."

The Shark Tank mentor captioned the reel with the following:

"Food for thought for you young lovestruck kiddies. Which is easier to replace?"

Fans can follow the entrepreneur for more tips, life lessons, and more on Instagram (@kevinolearytv).

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Fans can stream the currently streaming Shark Tank Season 16 on ABC Network.