"Why in the world"— When Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec shared how he first met his mentor Charles Munger

Entrepreneur and Shark Tank Robert Herjavec once reflected on his first encounter with Charles Munger, a key figure in the investment world, in a YouTube video posted on December 8, 2024, titled "Why Charlie Munger is My Greatest Mentor!". In the video, Herjavec questioned,

“Why did Charlie want to meet me? Of course, I had to know why in the world would he want to meet little old me.”

The video was part of Herjavec’s "Things I’ve Learned from a Billionaire" series, where he discussed insights gained from influential figures. The meeting with Munger was arranged through a mutual connection, and Robert Herjavec soon learned that Munger had been following his work on Shark Tank. This encounter led to a lasting mentorship between the two.

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Shark Tank Robert Herjavec’s unexpected introduction to Charles Munger

Herjavec’s introduction to Munger occurred while he was living in Los Angeles. During that time, he frequently attended SoulCycle classes, an activity he described as intense and community-driven. One day, a friend from the class mentioned that his boss was a fan of Shark Tank and wanted to meet him.

Initially, Herjavec did not give much thought to the request, as he did not realize who the individual was. After several weeks, the friend repeated the request, stating that his boss was Charles Munger. Herjavec recalled his initial reaction:

“Sure, you work with Charlie.”

Even then, he let it go once more. When the request came up again, he decided to arrange a meeting. The Shark Tank investor explained,

“So I say yes, rearrange a meeting, I hop in my car, and I start driving.”

Upon arriving at the given address, he noticed that the house was from the 1950s and had not been modernized. Uncertain about the location, he circled the block before confirming it was indeed Munger’s residence.

“It’s the same house Charlie bought in the ‘50s, loved it, and stayed in it,” Herjavec shared.

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Munger’s reason for wanting to meet Herjavec

During their meeting, Herjavec directly asked Munger why he wanted to meet him. Munger responded,

“You seem like the sensible nice one on the show, and I love the show.” Munger saw Shark Tank as great entertainment, especially since it focused on investment, a topic he was deeply interested in.

The Shark Tank investor learned that Munger had an ongoing curiosity about business and people.

“He wanted to meet me for no other reason than he has an insatiable appetite for business and people and was extraordinarily curious,” Herjavec explained.

Their connection was made through a business partner of Munger’s who also attended SoulCycle. After hearing about Herjavec, Munger expressed an interest in having a conversation. Their discussion covered a wide range of topics, as Munger was known for asking more questions than he answered.

“He’s one of the few people that ask more questions than I did,” Herjavec noted.

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The ongoing influence of Charles Munger

The Shark Tank investor recalled that during the COVID-19 pandemic, Munger continued engaging in discussions to stay sharp.

“During COVID, we used to do Zoom calls. He and his team wanted him to stay sharp, and a bunch of people like me would call him on a regular basis just to chat,” he said.

These conversations highlighted Munger’s commitment to intellectual engagement and his belief in lifelong learning. Reflecting on the impact of their conversations, Herjavec stated,

“As I’m getting older and worrying about my own longevity, I realize how vital this is—an occupied and curious mind is a young mind.”

He emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with individuals who inspire curiosity and learning. Munger also shared his appreciation for his book, Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Investing. Herjavec recalled,

“One thing he was really proud of, as humble as he was, and he rarely talked about success, was his book Poor Charlie’s Almanack.”

During their first meeting, Munger gifted him a signed copy, which Herjavec later misplaced after multiple moves.

“The sad thing is I’ve moved houses so many times, I have no idea where it is. I hope I find it one day in one of my moves,” he shared.

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New episodes of Shark Tank are released every Friday at 8 PM ET on ABC, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to top investors. Fans can stream full episodes anytime on Hulu.