Stars of ABC’s "Shark Tank" Robert Herjavec and Lori Greiner, will take part in a moderated conversation with Steve Sheetz at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the Blair County Convention Center, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at altoona.psu.edu/tickets online or by calling 814-949-5091.
Herjavec is one of North America’s most recognizable business leaders. Born in Eastern Europe, he arrived to North America on a boat with his parents after escaping Communism in the former Yugoslavia. From delivering newspapers and waiting tables, to launching a computer company from his basement, his drive to achieve has led him to the fulfillment of a better life for himself and his family. A dynamic entrepreneur, Herjavec has built and sold several IT companies to major players such as AT&T.
In 2003 he founded Herjavec Group, and it quickly became one of North America’s fastest growing technology companies, scaling from $400K in annual sales revenue to a run rate of $150 million. Today, Herjavec Group is recognized as a global leader in information security specializing in managed security services, compliance, incident response and remediation efforts for enterprise level organizations. His inspiring books, "Driven" and "The Will to Win," were simultaneously Top 10 Bestsellers that earned him the title of “Best Selling Author.”
Herjavec’s motivational business advice has received millions of impressions through TV, print, radio and digital media. He shares his expertise with other entrepreneurs each week as a leading shark on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning hit "Shark Tank." Herjavec recently placed sixth with partner Kym Johnson, competing for the mirror ball trophy on the popular show, "Dancing With the Stars." For the past four years, he has competed as Ferrari #007 for Herjavec Group Racing in the Ferrari Challenge North America Series, achieving multiple podiums and winning Rookie of The Year in 2011. To Herjavec, running a business is a lot like one of his greatest passions, racing cars. He believes, “You have to stay laser-focused when driving a car over 200 miles an hour, and the same approach is required when growing a business in today’s world of rapidly changing technology.”
Greiner started with one idea and turned it into a multi-million dollar international brand. She is now regarded as one of the most prolific inventors of retail products, having created over 500 products, and holds 120 U.S. and international patents. She is a star shark on "Shark Tank" investing in companies and helping turn dreams into reality. Greiner also has had her own show on QVC-TV for the past 17 years called "Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner." She says she can tell instantly if a product is a “hero or a zero,” and this is clearly shown through her many thriving investments and a 90 percent success rate on new items launched. Several of her investments are the highest success stories on "Shark Tank" to date. Well-known for creating the most popular jewelry and cosmetic organizers of her time, Greiner’s cleverly designed products cover a large range, and she is constantly adding new items. From must-have organizers for the home to kitchen tools, travel bags, and clever solutions for everyday problems, her products are enjoyed by men and women alike. Her products are sold on QVC and in retailers across the U.S. and in Europe.
An expert on patenting and a guest speaker for the United States Patent & Trademark Office, she is hands-on in all facets of taking a product from concept to creation and to market within months. At the heart of her own success is a combination of talent, hard work and perseverance, as well as sincere, energetic on-air appeal. Greiner’s products are regularly featured in top magazines like O, The Oprah Magazine, InStyle, Woman’s Day, and Family Circle. She has also been profiled in Financial Times, Forbes, Success, Entrepreneur and has appeared on "The View," "Bloomberg," CNN and many others. Her Initial Silver Safekeeper was chosen as one of Oprah’s favorite things. A great believer that if you are lucky enough to be successful you have a responsibility to give back, she also believes that what matters most in life is who a person is and what is in their soul. She and her company annually donate a substantial amount of their profits to a variety of charities. Greiner’s first book, "Invent It, Sell It, Bank It " was named one of the top 10 business books by Amazon and also made Wall Street Journal's top business books of 2014.
Proceeds from the Speaker Series events benefit the Penn State Altoona Future Fund, which provides funding for programs that enrich academic and cultural life on campus and in the community. This fund also enables the administration to offer emergency scholarship assistance to students experiencing a financial crisis. The Sheetz Family is the title sponsor for the event.