Meet Zack Fleishman
The/Studio: Introduce yourself. Tell our readers a little bit about who you are!
Zack: My name is Zack Fleishman and I’m the COO and co-founder of Shark Wheel, reinvention of the wheel. I was a pro tennis player for 10 years on the ATP Tour and now business is my new sport.
The/Studio: What made you decide to reinvent the wheel?
Zack: My business partner, David Patrick, is the brains behind the reinvention of the wheel. He made a major scientific discovery, which he plans to release next year and one of the shapes in his discovery was the Shark Wheel configuration.
The/Studio: How exciting! How did you come up with the name “Shark Wheel”
Zack: The Shark Wheel is shape of actual shark jaws.
The/Studio: Wow! Really? What have you learned since inventing the “Shark Wheel”?
Zack: I have learned that no matter how great the idea, how revolutionary the product, how advantageous it performs, how great your team is that you still have to work day and night making it successful.
The/Studio: What made you decide to go on Shark Tank?
Zack: Shark Tank seems to make company’s dreams come true. Where else can you get the exposure of almost 10 million people for free and have the opportunity for well-connected billionaire’s to invest in your company?!
The/Studio: That’s so true! It is a pretty amazing show! Tell us about your experience on Shark Tank.
Zack: It was a wild experience. There are no re-takes so you have to nail it the first try. Also, you have to control your nerves, know your company inside and out, and make a compelling case for seasoned investors to buy into your company.
The/Studio: I would be a nervous wreck. Who was your favorite investor on the show?
Zack: Hard to say. We were fortunate to get offers from 4 out of 5 sharks and 3 ended up investing. I would have to say a three-way-tie between Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, and Nick Woodman.
The/Studio: What about the Shark Wheel are you most proud of?
Zack: I am most proud that we took such a complicated and unique product that there was no blueprint for and figured out how to bring it to market in just over 12 months. We started in the skateboard industry and may be the fastest growing skate company in the world.
The/Studio: That is amazing! What are some of the greatest challenges you face with your business?
Zack: Educating the public on why the Shark Wheel is actually better than the traditional wheel will take time. Some people see it right away, others have to be understandably educated on it. The Shark Wheel combines the benefits of a thin wheel and a wide wheel into one shape. Go fast and maneuver like a thin wheel. Go off-roading like a wide wheel. We’ve created the best on road/off road wheel in the world.
The/Studio: Where do you see The Shark Wheel in 10 years?
Zack: I see the Shark Wheel in no less than 25 industries including wheelchairs, scooters, luggage, ATV vehicles, strollers, shopping carts, military vehicles, wagons, etc. I want to see people having an option on the wheels they buy. The circular wheel has had a monopoly until now!
The/Studio: What type of legacy do you want to leave?
Zack: I want to show people that David Patrick’s discovery proves that the impossible is just a thought away.
The/Studio: What is the story behind the custom product that you produced with The/Studio?
Zack: Some of the best riders in the world are switching to Shark Wheel. Our downhill riders go 50mph down mountain passes and wear full leather bodysuits and helmets. They want to wear Shark Wheel patches to support us on their gear. That’s where The/Studio came in.
The/Studio: Do you have any promotions you would like to offer our community?
Zack: Shark1010. Try that code at checkout!
The/Studio: Do you have any upcoming events that our community members can attend?
Zack: Yes. If you are in the LA area, check us out at the Abbot Kinney Festival on Sunday, September 27th from 10am-6pm. It’s quite a scene with over 120,000 in one day attending and it’s free! Come visit our booth we’ll have cool stuff to show.
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Thank you Zack for sharing your story with us and for reinventing the wheel! It’s about time someone did!
