I first encountered the entrepreneurial powerhouse Mark Cuban on the red carpet at a movie premiere while working as a young entertainment host. He was already a **household name**, not only for selling Broadcast.com to Yahoo during the dot-com boom but also for his prominent pop culture appearances (yes, including that cameo on “The Simpsons”).
Fast forward to 2011: I had just launched “What’s Trending,” one of the early live digital shows focused on internet culture, which CBS News picked up. Our lineup featured icons like Snoop Dogg and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Naturally, I invited Mark to join us, as he was gaining more mainstream fame through “Shark Tank.” Little did I know, this invitation would lead to some of my most impactful business lessons.
In all the time I’ve known Mark, he never handed me a dollar. Yet, his guidance, support, and friendship have proven invaluable.
Mark Cuban Provided a Reality Check That Kept My Business Afloat
Mark appreciated the entrepreneurial spirit my team and I cultivated with “What’s Trending.” However, everything changed during a major crisis when CBS News unexpectedly dropped the show. My co-founder and I felt crushed, and I reached out to Mark, desperate for help.
As fate would have it, Mark was flying into Los Angeles to film more episodes of “Shark Tank.” He asked us to meet him at the SLS Hotel. Arriving there in all black and with puffy eyes from crying, I hoped to find a lifeline. Instead, Mark served me a dose of tough love.
I Had to Negotiate with a Shark
Mark proposed an intriguing deal: he would air “What’s Trending” on his network, HDNet, but there were conditions—no upfront cash, exclusive rights to him, and a revenue-sharing model.
Suddenly, I had to pivot from mourning into negotiation mode with a real Shark. Unsure of accepting the deal, my thoughts raced until Mark looked me squarely in the eye and asked, “Are you passionate about what you’re doing?” My confident “yes” led him to nudge me towards finding the resources to keep the show alive.
That Conversation Compelled Me to See Myself as a Startup Founder
The conversation with Mark illuminated a crucial truth: if I expected others to invest in my vision, I must first invest in it myself. Since then, Mark’s tough love moments have paved the way for significant career breakthroughs—like my early involvement with Musical.ly, which later transformed into TikTok. My forward-thinking ideas were ahead of their time but lacked immediate financial backing.
Ultimately, Mark encouraged me to recognize my worth and demand fair compensation, a mindset shift that sent ripple effects through my career, leading to successful consulting opportunities.
Currently, Some of My Best Business Lessons Come from Mark
1. Always Be Selling
Whether you’re launching a company, presenting a project, or pitching an idea, you’re perpetually selling—yourself, your vision, and your value. While not everything needs to be transactional, opportunities abound if you remain open to them.
2. There Are Two Kinds of Companies: Those that Are Great at AI and Everyone Else
In the realm of emerging technologies, success hinges on tracking where investments and attention flow, pinpointing clear opportunities for innovation. During a recent episode of my podcast, “The AI Download,” Mark reiterated the importance of creating relevant content now to establish connections and learn through experience.
3. Sweat Equity Is the Best Equity
My journey has mostly been self-funded, emphasizing relationships, creativity, and adaptability over outside investment. Building with sweat equity has made me and my company resilient, illuminating who is genuinely committed to our mission.
4. Run Your Business to Be Profitable
Simply put, profitable companies survive. It sounds basic, but amidst the hype of funding rounds and lofty burn rates, this truth becomes increasingly significant. Over the years, I’ve learned that neglecting sustainability transforms your venture into an expensive hobby that drains resources and energy.
5. Kindness is a Secret Weapon
I can confidently say Mark Cuban is the **nicest billionaire** I know. His quick email responses—often even to cold outreach—underscore a vital lesson: respect and efficiency go hand in hand, regardless of how busy you might be.
Shira Lazar is an Emmy-nominated host, producer, and entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of the media brand “What’s Trending” and co-founder of CreatorCare, a mental health support system for creators.
