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Robert Herjavec Of ‘Shark Tank’ Says You Should Forget Your Mistakes In Business

By Sarah Field
Published on: 15:12 PST, May 15, 2016

For most entrepreneurs who appear on Shark Tank, the process is a little nerve-wracking. That’s especially true when the panelists press for details about the company’s numbers and what’s wrong when they don’t add up. While some have stories of woe, often the ambitious business people have learned from their past challenges. In a new interview with CNBC, shark Robert Herjavec admits to often making mistakes, and advises others to simply move on from their own transgressions.

“I would say that on an average day, I do 100 things wrong. I try not to make mistakes that’ll kill me or the business.

“Learn from them and then most importantly, forget about them. It doesn’t matter. Whatever you did wrong yesterday, nobody cares. Don’t complain because nobody cares.

“Get over it. Move on. Do better. Take care of the ones you love.”

In a recent interview with Inc., Herjavec revealed a major mistake he made after starting a business. During an exit interview with an employee, he learned that another member of his management team had been diverting business to his own side venture. The rogue employee had chosen a similar name for his endeavor, and clients were none the wiser, believing they were actually partnering with Herjavec.

If Herjavec has become a little more savvy when it comes to business — whom to trust, and of whom to be wary — he’s also developed a few rules about what he looks for in employees. Back in February, he penned a piece in Forbes where he outlined the three aspects of professionalism he expects: respect, no yelling, and appropriate attire. Herjavec wrote that when people disrespect wait staff or others in social or business situations, it inevitably brings into question how that person will treat a customer or business associate. As for those who don’t know what attire is appropriate in business, according to Herjavec, if you have to ask, then it’s not appropriate.

While viewers of Shark Tank know the businessman — and his rags-to-riches story of a Croatian immigrant who came to Canada at age 8 — from his appearances on the business program, he reached a broader audience through his tenure on another ABC reality series last year. From Dancing With the Stars, he not only got a great professional partner, but a life partner as well. Kym Johnson and Herjavec were long rumored to be dating while they were in competition, and although they were mum for many months, they eventually confirmed their relationship.

The pair announced their engagement in March. In an interview with People, Johnson said Herjavec placed rose petals in a pool, put a floating swan in the water with a box on top. In the box was a 6.5 carat ring. After that private moment, they headed back to Herjavec’s L.A. home where friends and family were waiting to celebrate, including Johnson’s mother, who had flown in from Australia.

Herjavec told People that there may be a side benefit to getting hitched to a Dancing With the Stars alum: the prize that awaits one dance pair at the end of every season.

“Towards the end of the show, we realized that hopefully things were going to work out with [Kym and me]. The producers said if I ended up marrying her, they’d give me a mirrorball trophy!”

There is a certain irony in Herjavec finding love on the dance program. When his casting was first announced in March 2015, The Toronto Star reported that Herjavec chose to do the show because it had been one of his mother’s favorites, and he wanted the distraction as he was experiencing a divorce.

Shark Tank airs Friday nights at 9 p.m. on ABC.

[Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images]

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shark tank Dancing with the Stars Kym Johnson Robert Herjavec
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