Mike Kane of Cell Helmet answers THE QUESTION

I spoke with Mike Kane the other day. He's the CEO and co-founder of Cell Helmet. I was interviewing him for The Shark Tank Blog.

Cell Helmet is an iPhone case company based out of Pittsburgh. They sell cell phone cases with something extra: a damage guarantee. If your iPhone breaks in their case, they'll fix it for a small fee.

Mike and I chatted about the business and how manufacturing and customer service are handled right in Pittsburgh.This company truly is making it in the USA!

I got around to asking Mike THE QUESTION:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

His reply:

"Yes. Absolutely. After all, I'm from Pittsburgh, the home of Heinz!"

While the answer is admirable for keeping with Cell Helmet's civic mission, I just have one thing to say to Mike: Heinz makes mustard too!

Romy Taormina Answers THE QUESTION

I spoke with Romy Taormina today. She's the founder and inventor of Psi Bands, a stylish acupressure wrist band that helps relieve nausea from motion sickness, morning sickness, and chemotherapy. She's on Shark Tank in a few days and I got the pre-show scoop on her business for the Shark Tank Blog.

Romy's last name is also the name of a beautiful town in Sicily. She told me about applying for Shark Tank and the motivation behind starting her business.

I asked her what happens on the show, but she wouldn't tell me.

She did answer THE QUESTION: 

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

Her answer:

"No. I’m a mustard girl."

An EXCELLENT answer! Romy won't be needing any Psi Bands for condiment related nausea, that's for sure!

Leslie Haywood Answers THE QUESTION

I spoke with Leslie Haywood recently. She's the South Carolina entrepreneur who hooked Robert Herjavec for an investment in her business called Grill Charms. We were doing an interview for The Shark Tank Blog.

Leslie had some BIG news, which we discussed in detail, that is coming to fruition in a few days.

We talked about her business journey, life after Shark Tank, and what the future holds.

I eventually got around to asking her THE QUESTION:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

She answered:

"No. I do not. I am not a ketchup person. And Lord NO! Not on steak! Even my children know better - I raised them right!"

I would have expected an answer like that from a woman who made her fortune in the BBQ accessories world! It sure is nice to see old fashioned family values are alive and well.

Susie Taylor from Bibbitec answers THE QUESTION

I spoke with Susie Taylor the other day. She pitched her hi-tech bib called Bibbitec on The Shark Tank a few weeks ago. I was interviewing her for the Shark Tank Blog.

We talked about her appearance, the product, and the importance of manufacturing in America. Apparently, they made a ton of sales the weekend they aired!

I also asked her THE QUESTION:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

Her answer:

"Yes I do. And some mustard for contrast."

Since those bibs clean up so well, I'm hoping she spills her ketchup!

Bea Arthur from Shark Tank answers THE QUESTION

I spoke with Bea Arthur (not the Bea Arthur that immediately comes to mind) who pitched her business, Pretty Padded Room, on Shark Tank last week. I was interviewing her for the Shark Tank Blog. Bea provides online psychotherapy to a predominantly female clientele.

Bea had a rough go of it with the Sharks, but she's moving on!

We talked about her business, behind the scenes at Shark Tank and her career. I also found out SHE's SINGLE! She'll be fighting guys off with a stick: beauty and brains in one package is rare indeed.

As always, I got around to asking her THE QUESTION:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

Her answer: 

"Yes I do. And onions."

Oh Bea, that's just CRAZY!

Megan Gage Answers THE QUESTION

I was talking to Megan Gage the other day for the Shark Tank Blog. She got a deal from Mark Cuban for her kid's hair care products called Hot Tot.

We chatted about her business and her new business partner.

Megan has big plans and is well on  her way to being one of many Shark Tank Success Stories.

As usual, I eventually got around to asking Megan THE QUESTION:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

Her reply:

"Well, I've been a vegetarian since I was 9 years old, so I don't eat hot dogs. I don't have any ethical issues about meat, though."

I guess that's kind of in the "better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" category (or something like that)! Megan did promise to take her husband (a carnivore) to Biker Jim's in Denver. He likes his dogs and claims, after trying a vegan dog, that Megan forgot what a hot dog tastes like!

Nicole Townend Answers THE QUESTION

I spoke with Nicole Townend, who pitched Teddy Needs a Bath on Shark Tank a few weeks ago. She was just getting ready to fly into the teeth of the Blizzard of 2013 to the Toy Trade Show in NYC. 

I interviewed her for the Shark Tank Blog. We talked about her business, Mark Cuban, and kids.

The conversation was very informative and I eventually got around to asking her THE QUESTION:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

Her answer: "Of course! And mustard and everything else!"

Nicole may be selling a bunch of her stuffed animal laundry bags, but she needs to clean up her act when it comes to hot dogs!

Mike Robinson of Cuddletunes Answers the Question

I spoke with Mike Robinson forThe Shark Tank Blog the other day. He pitched the Shark Tank Sharks on his hi-tech Teddy Bear called Cuddletunes.

The Sharks didn't fund Mike, and the editors had a bit of a field day making him look bad. As usual, what we saw on TV wasn't the whole story, but Mike's OK and is moving on with his business.

As usual, I got around to asking Mike the Question:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

His answer:

"HELL NO! Are you kidding me?!?!? Mustard all the way, the hotter the better!"

I wonder what the bear likes?

Rabbi Moshe Weiss Answers THE QUESTION

I just finished speaking with Rabbi Moshe Weiss for the Shark Tank Blog. He is the inventor of the Soundbender and he scored a deal with Daymond John on Shark Tank last week. 

We talked about injection molds, marketing, the Shark Tank experience and more.

Eventually, I asked him THE QUESTION:

"Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

He answered:

"Yes. And Mustard. Or should I say I have hot dogs with my ketchup? I grew up in a family with 15 kids; sometimes we had ketchup for dinner!"

All I can say is "OY VEY!"

Rebecca Rescate answers THE QUESTION

I recently spoke with Rebecca Rescate for the Shark Tank Blog. She's the woman who scored a deal in season two for CitiKitty, the product that teaches cats to poop on the toilet. 

Rebecca made millions with that product and she returns in season 4, episode 415 to pitch a second product called the Hoodie Pillow. She's the first Shark Tank entrepreneur to return to the show with a new product.

I spoke with Rebecca about CitiKitty, The Hoodie Pillow, and her new consulting business.

I also asked her THE QUESTION: "Do you put ketchup on your hot dogs?"

Her answer: "Of course! I put the works on everything I do!"

Well Rebecca, going for the works in business is certainly admirable, but when it comes to hot dogs, you may benefit from addition by subtraction!