Shark Tank took an incredibly emotional turn on Sunday night. The series in which aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas featured an especially touching one. Siblings Kaley, Christian, and Keira Young came on the show to pitch their late dad's awesome invention -- the Cup Board Pro. Kaley Young told the sharks:
It was his dream to pitch it on Shark Tank. Unfortunately, he passed away before he had that chance, but we're here today to continue his legacy and make that dream a reality.
A clip of the late Keith Young's audition tape for the show was then played. After the clip finished playing, an emotional Keira Young asked the panel who was ready to make their dad's dream a reality with them. The Young siblings' presentation visibly moved the sharks.
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary followed up on their dad's desire to be on the show. Kaley Young provided further moving insight, saying:
As he was getting his first prototypes, our mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and he put everything on hold to be at her side. On Aug. 22, 2012, God called my mom home, and my dad showed us what strength was in every moment he continued to show up for us, and in life in general.
Kaley Young revealed that their dad had passed away three months before the siblings were making their appearance on the show. His passing was due to a cancer diagnosis related to his work as an NYC firefighter during 9/11.
Guest shark Matt Higgins asked what overwhelmed them, and here's what Kaley Young told the panel:
It's kind of hard to overwhelm the three of us, because of the amount of stress you go through seeing a loved one sick. We're only able to be here because of how strong our parents were.
The siblings revealed that they had sold an impressive 300 Cup Board Pros in the course of three weeks at the time of the taping. In the end, the siblings paid tribute to their dad by pitching his dream, and the reaction to their dad's invention was strong. All of the sharks united behind the pitch.
The sharks were not shy about sharing how rare such a deal between all of them is. They offered the siblings $100,000 for a stake of 20% percent in the business. The siblings were seeking $100,000 for a 10% stake. The sharks also pledged to donate their profits from the Cup Board Pro to a charity their dad supported to help firefighters left sick from 9/11.
As unanimous as the deal was among the sharks, the siblings just as enthusiastically received it. The siblings' strength and fortitude in making their dad's dream come true are remarkable and inspiring. Their moving story clearly touched the sharks. Lori Greiner and Daymond John were left visibly emotional, as John turned to dry his face at one point.
The opportunity to change lives is at the core of Shark Tank, and in this episode, the show achieved that. It also gave a platform for the Young family to remember their dad. It is impossible not to become emotional thinking about the strength that it took for the siblings to get to Shark Tank.
New episodes of Shark Tank air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC this fall. The show is also available to stream on Hulu. For more about the series, check out Shark Tank's website.
