Three Years After Winning Investment on Shark Tank Malta… Here’s What Actually Happened.
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2
When the Cameras Stop Rolling...
A Personal Reflection on My Shark Tank Experience
On 12 March three years ago, I walked onto the set of Shark Tank Malta to pitch my business. It took a lot to get me on that stage. Give me a microphone and a band, and I'll sing all night long. But asking me to stand up and pitch a business idea? That was a whole different story.
I declined the opportunity twice. The producers convinced me that the show was the right platform for what I was building. They were persistent and encouraging, perhaps even a little desperate for entries. Eventually, I agreed.
Like any entrepreneur stepping onto that stage, I took it seriously. I prepared thoroughly, researched, and practised over and over. It was the scariest thing I have ever done.
After the pitch of my life, I secured an investment.
For a moment, it felt like one of those rare milestones entrepreneurs dream about. Years of work, belief, and persistence were suddenly recognised on national television.
"Finally!" I thought. Someone believes in me. Someone gets it. Someone can see what I see.
Winning the investment felt like massive, long-overdue validation.
The Story Didn’t Unfold the Way We Might Assume
After the show aired, the investment never materialised. I was confused, disappointed, and angry. The investor was the only woman on the panel. Corporate life can be a tough, male-dominated world, and I have always believed that women should support one another. That was the part that hurt the most.
Read this story on Lovin Malta.
The Lesson I Learned
Winning the investment symbolised recognition. Moments like this can feel like a threshold. We think, "If this works, everything changes." I was told publicly that my idea was worthy. However, when that recognition was not followed by genuine support, it revealed how much weight I unknowingly placed on external approval.
I allowed myself to imagine partnership, mentorship, growth, and momentum. When that narrative dissolved, it created a sense of emotional whiplash.
What this experience was really about was reclaiming authority over my own work.
The value of the idea never belonged to the investor, the show, or anyone else. It existed before the cameras and continues after them.
Why I’m Sharing This Now
I'm not sharing this from a place of bitterness. It's merely a perspective. In the current climate of major restructuring, where old systems and long-standing institutions are being questioned and dismantled, this story feels relevant.
Many structures we once believed were stable are showing their cracks. The old paradigm of power, gatekeeping, and who gets to decide what is worthy is slowly being challenged. (I wrote about that here.)
For entrepreneurs, founders, and creatives, we often ask: Do I feel heard in the world? Or am I still seeking permission for my voice to matter?
Experiences like this force us to confront these questions directly. Stepping onto that stage compelled me to articulate my vision clearly and publicly. I had to have just enough belief in myself to do it. For me, that was progress.
The Importance of Reflection
But moments like this also create something else. They force a pause. A moment to step back, reflect, and recalibrate what really matters.
In many ways, that is exactly what a Metox is. It’s a moment where we stop looking outward for validation and return to our own centre.
If that idea resonates with you, I created a short starting point called the Metox Starter Session. It’s designed to help people pause, reflect, and reconnect with their own direction.
You can explore it here:
Ultimately, no matter who validates your ideas, your business lives or dies by the work you continue to do. Mine is still here. Six years and counting. I’m growing, evolving, and transforming regardless of the beliefs of others, with or without help.
In the end, the only investment that carried any weight was the one I chose to keep making in myself.
More About Metox Membership
Metox Membership offers a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters. It includes a Metox Magazine subscription, the monthly Metox practice, and additional reflections and resources for those exploring personal growth and self-awareness. Learn more here:
The Journey Continues
As I reflect on this journey, I realise that the path to clarity and direction is often winding and filled with unexpected turns. Each experience, whether it brings joy or disappointment, contributes to our growth. It teaches us about resilience, self-worth, and the importance of staying true to our vision.
I invite you to embrace your own journey. Take the time to pause, reflect, and realign with your values. Remember, the most significant investment you can make is in yourself. Your ideas are valid, and your voice matters.
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