ABC’s “Shark Tank” star Daymond John surprises Te’Lario Watkins II from Blacklick, Ohio, during the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on April 6. John gave Watkins a personal invitation to Los Angeles to watch a taping of “Shark Tank.” (Photo credit: Mark Ashman)
Watkins, 16, was born to be an entrepreneur. Like many of his Disney Dreamers Academy colleagues, the high school student realized a problem, and instead of waiting until he graduated from high school and college to attempt to make a change, he decided to solve it in real-time.
Watkins started a nonprofit called The Garden Club Project, which offers a viable solution for the food disparity in his community.
“Agriculture is fascinating to me,” Watkins said. “If more young people had the opportunity to see something they planted grow and become something that can feed them and their families, it would make a difference.”
His nonprofit is supported by his small business, Tiger Mushroom Farms.
The business cultivates gourmet mushrooms and sells dry mushroom seasoning products. Watkins said the products constantly sell out and he’s only received positive customer feedback.
“The seasonings can be used on meat or on vegetables to give your meal that extra flavor. Once people taste the seasonings, we always sell out,” the entrepreneur said.
Watkins’ confidence isn’t misplaced. After presenting his business plan for Tiger Mushroom Farms during an entrepreneurship lab at DDA, he won an opportunity to be “Shark Tank” star Daymond John’s personal guest for a live taping of the show.
“I am speechless right now. I’m still processing,” Watkins said after John surprised him during the Disney Dreamers weekend. “I know my family is going to be so excited.”
John admits all the DDA students’ entrepreneurship endeavors blew him away.
“Entrepreneurship is at an all-time high today, and I can appreciate these young people taking their futures into their own hands,” he said. They aren’t waiting for permission from anyone. It reminds me of my days growing up in New York City and seeing that Empire State Building, wanting so much more for myself. I’m impressed with all these young people. They motivate me to keep going.”
Watkins was inspired by his meeting with John during the entrepreneurship lab and said he related to John’s story.
“Mr. John talked to us about having a vision for his dreams when he was young and look what he was able to accomplish,” he shares. “To know that he owns floors in the Empire State Building he used to look at when he was younger was really inspiring for us.”
John’s cosign on his entrepreneurial endeavors has motivated Watkins, but he insists his parents have been his biggest supporters.
“I haven’t had to face much discouragement because my parents have always been there and always encouraged me to keep going,” Watkins stated.
For more information on Watkins and the other Disney Dreamers, visit www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com
