Let’s face it: the business world isn’t for the faint of heart. If you’re trying to get a taste of success, you better be prepared to get your hands dirty. And if you’re a Shark Tank fan, you know that Kevin O’Leary is the kind of guy who doesn’t sugarcoat his words.
Also, if you thought Mark Cuban’s soft-spoken encouragements were your kind of vibe, then O’Leary’s bluntness might feel like a hard wake-up call.
But let’s be honest, that’s what makes him so unforgettable. He’s the guy who’s more likely to tear your dreams to pieces than throw you a lifeline. Case in point? His treatment of Chill Systems, a promising company offering a cooler that keeps drinks cold without ice.
When founders Chase Mitchell and Brian Bloch pitched their product, seeking $150,000 for a 15% stake, O’Leary didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet. No punches were pulled. No soft landings. Just a straight-up reality.
When Kevin O’Leary doesn’t hold back: No room for ‘Tchotchkes’
So, here’s how it went down. Chase Mitchell and Brian Bloch, both former Google and Apple employees, stepped onto the Shark Tank stage (season 12 episode 17) with their ice-free cooler, designed to keep up to three drinks cold for 24 hours—without the need for ice. They sought $150,000 for 15% equity in their company, hoping to impress the Sharks with their eco-friendly, portable cooler aimed at outdoor enthusiasts.
Check out the video below:
But when it came time for Kevin O’Leary to weigh in, the gloves came off. He didn’t waste any time before delivering a sharp critique:
You like to talk about the values. Why would you do this?…They give it away at beer companies. There’s a million coolers… Oh, it’s the same. So I want to rip you to pieces. I’m dying to rip you to pieces.
His words were like a cold bucket of reality splashed right in their faces. Instead of offering a helping hand, O’Leary straight-up demolished their idea, dismissing it as just another throwaway product. He even called out their entire sustainability pitch, saying:
There is no hope. This is a really bad idea. Coolers? Why? I don’t even buy the sustainability thing. There’s all kinds of plastic in this thing. I hate it. I’m out
Sure, Mark Cuban might have offered a gentler approach, but O’Leary, well, he isn’t interested in coddling anyone. He wants results. And in his world, if you can’t handle the heat, you better get out of the kitchen.
A setback, but not the end: Chill Systems bounces back
Despite Kevin O’Leary’s cold response, Chill Systems didn’t just fade into obscurity. Sure, they didn’t get a deal on Shark Tank—in fact, all five Sharks passed on the opportunity. But their story didn’t end there. In the two years following their appearance on the show, Chill Systems managed to generate $111,000 in sales and expand their product line.
They’re still out there, hustling, improving their design, and adapting based on customer feedback.
What’s more, they’ve built an audience that appreciates their eco-friendly approach to keeping drinks cold—something that resonates well with outdoor enthusiasts and eco-conscious consumers. They might not have gotten the Shark Tank deal they were hoping for, but they sure haven’t given up on their dream.
Sometimes, it takes a little cold water to wake you up—and in this case, O’Leary’s bluntness may have just been the jolt they needed.
Shark Tank is currently streaming on Hulu.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
