A recent episode of Shark Tank clearly showcased that modern pop culture has completely idolized everything that is plant based and demonized meat, dairy and eggs. The episode is a clear example to understand the misconceptions about animal agriculture and how to respond to it based on consumer’s value systems and beliefs.
The episode featured creators of Atlas Monroe and practicing raw vegans, Jonathan and Deborah Torres. The Atlas Monroe features a wheat based fried chicken product that’s vegan and advertised them as something that can compete with the real chicken product.
The couple claimed about how the vegan chicken tastes alike or even better than the real deal but the pitch fell apart as they could not completely explain or grasp their numbers and sales. Shark Lori Greiner commented that people have concerns about eating meat as they are full of steroids and antibiotics. The couple asked for $500,000 for 10% of their company even when the episode clearly showed they only had $60,000-70,000 in lifetime sales.
The owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban who is a recent convert to a vegan lifestyle surprised the entrepreneur couple with the deal of a lifetime. He and fellow shark Rohan Oza offered them $1 million for 100% of the company. But as reported in the news, Torres turned down the offer and told Cuban that if they are offering him a million dollars for his business that means there is potential and lot of worth in what he is selling.