"You can't force somebody": Shark Tank's Robert Herjavec reveals the first lesson he learned in sales

Shark Tank judge Robert Herjavec discussed various topics with The School of Greatness podcast host Lewis Howes, as featured in the podcast aired on February 5, 2025. The duo talked about topics ranging from the power of learning to different kinds of mindsets, financial abundance, and more.

In one of the segments featured on the podcast, when the host asked the Shark Tank mentor about the first lesson he learned in sales, Robert replied:

"You can't force somebody to buy something they fundamentally don't need. I was very lucky that way because if I would have been taught the use car salesman... way. I mean, I was just hungry for knowledge. I would have gone anyway. I always think if somebody would have taken me under their wing and they were like a con man, I would have become a con man, right."

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Shark Tank investor Robert Herjavec opens up about how he learned "how to dress" and more from Harry Rosen

Shark Tank mentor Robert Herjavec, during his appearance on The School of Greatness podcast, talked about many things. Fans who follow the investor from the ABC reality show must know that he often shares motivational and real-life examples of the struggles he has gone through.

During the podcast, Robert stated that he learned more from Harry Rosen, who he mentioned as a "legend in Canada." Recalling a particular incident, the Shark Tank investor stated:

"So I want there to buy a suit, and it was like this is a long time ago...it was like $1,200, and you're like this is crazy, and I'm like, 'Oh my God, I can't afford.' $1,200 was more money than I'll make this month. This salesman said to me, 'You know, if you work here, you get to buy one suit every six months at 50% off.' So I was like, 'Great.' So I got a part-time job there."

Robert mentioned that the menswear shop was owned by Harry Rosen, which, as of now, had become a "multi-billion dollar company." Shark Tank's mentor recalled how Harry used to teach on Saturdays. Before opening the store at 9, if he'd arrived earlier, he would teach "how to dress."

Shark Tank mentor stated that Harry was a "legend" and that it was the "biggest shop" in Canada. Harry told him to be there at 7:30, before his store would open at 9. He stated that he would be open to teaching "everything," starting from "dressing well" to "how to sell to men."

So, after his discussion with Harry on Wednesday, Robert went there a couple of days later and was surprised to see that he was the only one who went there. He mentioned that there was no one besides himself and Harry.

So later, when Robert asked his friend why no one else showed up, his friend replied:

"No one's paying me to show up."

Listening to his friend stating that he didn't show because no one was paying him to "learn," Robert shared his thoughts:

"I thought I don't need to get paid to learn. I'll learn for free. I thought I would have paid him to teach me. It was great. He taught me everything. He taught me how I dress, how to spot someone with money."

Further in the podcast, Robert stated that he had been "really fortunate" to have such "great" role models who are also "good human beings."

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Fans can catch Robert Herjavec sharing his knowledge and entrepreneurial skills while investing in various unique products featured on Shark Tank Season 16, streaming on ABC.