Blog Shark Tank Rapid Interview: Spy Escape and Evasion

In Season 5 of Shark Tank, former CIA officer, Jason Hanson pitched his Spy Escape and Evasion training business to the Sharks. After getting an investment from Daymond John and turning his business into a brand, Jason has been hard at work doing what he loves - making people safe and growing his business. Blog Shark Tank recently caught up with Jason and asked him a few questions about his Shark Tank experience and entrepreneurship. Here goes:


1) What is Spy Escape and Evasion all about?
My company teaches the average American spy secrets to keep them safer on a daily basis. This includes how to escape duct tape, rope, zip ties... how to pick locks... how to detect lies... how to determine if someone is following you... and much more.

2) What gave you the idea or inspiration to start your business?
I spent almost 7 years working for the CIA. I believe all of us want to make sure our family is protected and safe.

3) Do you think Spy Escape and Evasion would have the same success it has today had it not been featured on Shark Tank?
Shark Tank was a huge blessing. I think I would have had the same success but it would have taken me a lot longer to get there. Shark Tank made it happen quicker.

4) What did you do to prepare for your pitch once your business was accepted?
I watched every episode of Shark Tank, I read all of the books the Sharks had written and I practiced my pitch over 1,000 times.

5) How long was the actual pitch in the Shark Tank?
About 55 minutes.

6) How involved has Daymond been as an investor, and how often do you speak or meet with him?
In the beginning we spoke about once per week. Now that we’ve been together awhile we only talk when we need to. Daymond is down to earth and a great guy.

7) What are some of the sacrifices you have made as an entrepreneur?
I’ve probably forgot most of them because there were so many. Things ranging from lack of sleep to doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

8) As an entrepreneur, do you ever look back at the cross-roads of your business or career choices and have regrets, or do you only look forward?
I only look forward. I don’t have any regrets. I’m very happy with where I am at.

9) Who do you look up to, and what inspires you?
I look up to entrepreneurs who realize family comes first and who realize what a blessing they have been giving. Also those who realize it’s their duty to give back to others. What inspires me is to help keep others safe and to be the best at what I do.

10) What are 3 tips you have to aspiring entrepreneurs - people who know they want to create something big, but just haven't been able to do it yet?
- You have to realize not everyone is made to be an entrepreneur. If you can’t handle risk it’s not for you.
- Get up at 5am. Work to at least 5pm daily. If you aren’t willing to put in at least 12 hours a day you won’t make it and don’t want it badly enough.
- If you never quit, you’ll eventually make it.

Spy Escape and Evasion: Flashback and Flash Forward

"The name's Hanson. Jason Hanson".

Just a few episodes ago Shark Tank fans all around the country watched as former CIA officer, Jason Hanson, covertly stood and mouthed these words in front of the Sharks before pitching his extremely unique business. Spy Escape and Evasion is a seminar for everyday civilians to go to learn safety and survival secrets from a man who has needed to use them to survive his career.

Flashback:

Jason asked the Sharks for $100,000 for a 15% stake in his company, which as of then had gross sales of $306,000 and profit of $128,000. As part of his presentation, Jason called upon a couple of volunteers from the Shark audience to try out some of his tactics. First, Barbara went up and tied Jason's hands tight with duct-tape, only to see him break out of it a few seconds later - without breaking a sweat. Next, Robert went up to serve as the victim, as Jason tied his hands together with a strong zip-tie. But Robert was also able to break out of this with the parachute-cord shoelace Jason was wearing.

While all the Sharks watched with amazement, Kevin's mind seemed to be thinking of ways to destroy this entire business. He asked Jason how he was allowed to be sharing these secrets with regular civilians. But to his surprise, Jason answered that he already spoke with the agency and got clearance. Roger that Kevin?!

With an investment from the Sharks, Jason was planning on opening a huge training facility in Utah where people will come in for a two day course. Day 1 would be learning the skills (getting out of ducktape, picking locks, detecting surveilance, etc,), and Day 2 would be actual missions with enemies and obstacles. The Sharks though didn't like this plan. They argued that people would not take the time to fly over to Utah to learn these skills. Instead, they proposed that Jason continue with his current business model (which seemed to be working) of flying to heavily-populated cities and giving the seminars there. Jason made it clear that he was definitely open to changing his business model, and with that, the Sharks were quite interested in partnering with him. Well, at least Robert, Daymond, and Mark were.

Robert was the first to make an offer, offering $100,000 for 50% of the company. He felt that this was a reasonable deal because the business model had to still be perfected, which would require more of his time and effort. Daymond insulted this offer calling Robert a greedy savage, and then made a competing offer of $150,000 for 45%. Because Mark was still on the fence and the other Sharks were out, Jason accepted Daymond's time-sensitive offer and walked out of the Shank Tank, mission accomplished.

Flash Forward:

After making a deal with Daymond, Spy Escape and Evasion has been unstoppable. In the first week after airing on Shark Tank, the company did $200,000 in sales, which previously took over 8 months to do. Since then, Spy Escape and Evasion has done a $1.2 million royalty deal with a survival company, been featured on the Rachael Ray Show, and is in the process of publishing a book and creating a TV show. Talk about the Shark Tank Effect! Daymond has clearly been instrumental in helping grow this business and is in touch with Hanson and his team on a weekly business. The company has also improved its online presence with their brand new website, http://www.spyescape.us.

Jason Hanson will be flying to many different cities to give his seminar and teach regular civilians the secrets he was taught as a CIA officer. It is the chance of a lifetime to learn from a true master in espionage, so be sure to sign up!