Children Of Late Firefighter Father Honor Him By Pitching His Kitchen Product On ‘Shark Tank’

Three siblings Kaley, Christian, and Keira Young gave one of the most emotional pitches ever seen on Shark Tank when they presented their product, the Cup Board Pro. According to USA Today, there was not one shark who was not deeply touched by the trio. Their product, a specially designed cutting board with a detachable cup to provide for easy cleanup, was their father Kevin Young’s creation. He had already created his demonstration video to audition for Shark Tank where he hoped to pitch his product.

Kevin Young was a New York City firefighter at the time of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He assisted in cleanup at Ground Zero. Unfortunately, the effects of the smoke he inhaled at the time of his duty caused him to develop cancer later in life. Young passed away in May of 2018. The cutting board he designed is engraved with an insignia honoring all the firefighters who lost their lives as a result of 9/11.

The Young siblings decided to persist with their father’s dream despite their tremendous grief. The three Young children, who also lost their mother to cancer in 2012, are the image of strength and determination. When asked what most overwhelmed them regarding their business venture, Kaley Young spoke of the strength they drew from their parents.

“It’s kind of hard to overwhelm the three of us, because of the amount of stress you go through seeing a loved one sick,” Kaley said. “We’re only able to be here because of how strong our parents were.”

In a turn of events that is hardly ever witnessed on Shark Tank, all five sharks were so moved by the Youngs’ tribute that they decided to work together to assist them. Lori Greiner, Mark Cuban. Kevin O’Leary, Daymond John, and Matt Higgins offered them a combined total of $100,000 for a 20 percent stake in their business. But perhaps their biggest gift was that the sharks promised to donate the profits they received from the business venture to a charity for firefighters affected by the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

The story touched shark Matt Higgins in a personal way. An investor, Higgins also helped with the cleanup and rebuilding at Ground Zero following the tragedy of 9/11.

“I met a lot of brave people like your dad, and a lot of people lost their lives, so it’s great that you’re doing this,” Higgins told the three Young children.

The rest of the sharks seconded this notion.

“The story’s amazing,” Cuban said. “You have a million reasons to be proud. Your father will live on forever through each of you and his product.”