BC

Barbara Corcoran

Public Speaker

Overview


Name: Barbara Corcoran
Company: Barbara Corcoran Inc

Key Highlights


Barbara Corcoran is a prolific American businesswoman, investor, syndicated columnist, and television personality. She founded The Corcoran Group, a leading real estate brokerage, which she sold to NRT for $66 million in 2001. Corcoran is widely recognized for her role as one of the original “Shark” investors on ABC’s Emmy-winning show, Shark Tank. As of January 2023, she has made 130 deals on the show, including her largest investment of $350,000 for 40% of Coverplay.

Professional Achievements


  • Founder and Former Owner: The Corcoran Group

  • Author: Best-selling book “Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business!”

  • Host: Business podcast “Business Unusual with Barbara Corcoran”

  • Shark Tank Investor: Participated in all 15 seasons, investing in over 100 businesses

  • Media Presence: Regular contributor to major networks on small business and real estate topics

  • Motivational Speaker: Known for her inspirational talks and media engagements


Career Milestones


  • Early Years: Barbara experienced significant challenges in her early life, being labeled as the "dumb kid" due to dyslexia. These experiences drove her to work harder and eventually led to her success.

  • The Corcoran Group: Co-founded with a $1,000 loan and subsequently grew it into one of the largest and most recognized brands in the real estate brokerage business.

  • Sale of The Corcoran Group: Sold to NRT for $66 million, marking a significant milestone in her business career.

  • Shark Tank: Known for her sharp investment skills and business acumen, has made substantial investments through the show, including a notable investment of $50,000 in The Comfy, which turned into $468 million.


Personal and Educational Background


  • Date of Birth: March 10, 1949

  • Place of Birth: Edgewater, New Jersey, USA

  • Education: Graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College with a degree in education

  • Family: Married to Bill Higgins, a retired Navy captain and former FBI agent, with whom she has two children.


Media and Public Appearances


Barbara Corcoran has a significant media presence, including:
  • Television: Frequent appearances on Larry King Live and NBC's Today Show

  • Radio: Hosts The Millionaire Broker with Barbara Corcoran on CNBC

  • Publications: Columnist for More, The Daily Review, Redbook, and the New York Daily News


Social Media and Online Presence






Recent and Notable Investments


Barbara invests in high-growth, revenue-generating early-stage companies through Forefront Venture Partners. One of her most successful investments, The Comfy, highlighted her business savvy by converting a $50,000 investment into a multi-million-dollar return.

Noteworthy Publications


  • Books by Barbara Corcoran:

  • "If You Don't Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons On Your Pigtails: and Other Lessons I Learned From My Mom"

  • "Nextville: Amazing Places to Live Your Life"

  • "Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business"


Conclusion


Barbara Corcoran exemplifies resilience and entrepreneurial brilliance. Her varied career, spanning founding and leading a major real estate company, prominent investments on Shark Tank, and widespread media influence, provides a robust foundation for understanding her professional endeavours. This rich background and active engagement across multiple platforms make her a significant figure in the business and media landscapes.