A CHILDREN’S book author has said the Shark Tank judges missed a major opportunity by passing on his idea.
Todd Zimmerman’s business plan has since generated millions of dollars and even caught the attention of former First Lady Melania Trump.
First Lady Melania Trump reading Todd Zimmerman’s book series ‘Oliver the Ornament’ in Washington in 2018[/caption]
Oliver the Ornament author Todd Zimmerman pictured with the Trumps at the White House in 2019[/caption]
Todd Zimmermann author of Oliver the Ornament[/caption]
Zimmerman first pitched the idea of Oliver the Ornament—a Christmas-themed book and ornament series for children focused on the values of kindness and friendship—to the Sharks via an online video almost 10 years ago.
He never heard back, and a year later, the writer attended an in-person audition in Chicago to present his business idea again.
After initially getting positive feedback, Zimmerman said the judges went “radio silent,” and he never heard from them.
Unperturbed, the author tried twice more to get on the show and estimates he spent about 15 hours of work preparing his pitch.
But he was never successful.
“The producers encourage you to audition again and again, so I did, but it is a lot of work,” Zimmerman exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
“The last time I asked them what are my chances, they made it seem like they were really interested, saying we wouldn’t be asking you to audition again if we weren’t interested.
“And I thought, okay, great, so I went through everything again and sent it out again, and then radio silence again.”
While acknowledging that an appearance on Shark Tank would have “catapulted” his business, Zimmerman said he’s managed to grow it without the show.
He said his books have generated almost $2 million in sales, and he has sold over 50,000 books and 75,000 ornaments.
TRUMP TRIUMPH
In 2018, Zimmerman’s book was selected by then-First Lady Melania Trump to read at the annual Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
It was part of the First Lady’s anti-bullying initiative, Be Best, launched to help teach kindness to children, and Zimmerman sat a few feet away.
“It was amazing; I was sitting next to the First Lady reading my book and really admired what she was doing to combat bullying,” Zimmerman said.
Trump later selected subsequent books in the series to read in 2019 and 2020, making Zimmerman the first American author to have multiple copies of a book selected at that event.
The author was later invited to the White House Christmas Party hosted by the Trumps.
“It was surreal,” he said.
The business is expanding even further into the education market, with a program sold to schools which is tied to some of the book series’ main themes.
“This year will undoubtedly be the best year of the business so far,” Zimmerman said.
Then First lady Melania Trump reading Todd Zimmerman’s Oliver the Ornament book in Washington in 2020[/caption]
MISSING OUT
When asked whether he has any bad feelings towards the show, Zimmerman said he is still a fan but believes the Sharks missed out on a good opportunity.
“People say to me that you’re actually lucky you didn’t go on the show because otherwise, they would own a portion of your business,” he said.
“I still watch the show and love the show but there are thousands of people who have got great ideas.
“I just happen to think my idea is a really good one.”
TODD ZIMMERMAN’S BOOKS
There are seven books in his Christmas series
- Oliver the Ornament
- Oliver the Ornament Meets Belle
- Oliver the Ornament Meets Marley & Joan and Abbey
- Oliver the Ornament Meets Frasier and Merry
- Oliver the Ornament Meets Teddy and Norb
- Oliver the Ornament meets Edsel, Buck and Crystal
Children’s book author Todd Zimmerman reading his book Oliver the Ornament alongside Melania Trump in Washington in 2020[/caption]
Children reading Todd Zimmerman’s book ‘Oliver the Ornament’[/caption]
