Part Two begins with a founder’s reality check: Meghan Wolfgram has just bought out her business partner, sold out of inventory, and doesn’t have enough cash to fund her next production run. For the first time, she must raise capital. Then comes an unexpected Shark Tank opportunity — and Lori Greiner’s Golden Ticket. But the real test begins after the spotlight fades, when Meghan realizes the product featured on national television isn’t built to scale. Instead of chasing momentum, she rebuilds from the ground up. Fourteen years in, that discipline has led to her first sustained EBITDA-positive stretch and a product line developed with a commitment to building locally. This episode explores how preparation, resilience, and values-driven decisions turn setbacks into defining moments — and why sustainable success is shaped long before the spotlight.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Intro + fundraising philosophy: validate before you raise

02:05 – Why banks said no and pre-orders became key

05:05 – Integrity during Kickstarter delays + offering refunds

11:51 – Out of stock for a year, then record growth and $1M+ sales

13:33 – Shark Tank outreach + fast-track to filming

21:17 – Lori’s Golden Ticket deal

26:26 – Post–Shark Tank reality: product not scalable

28:49 – Rebuilding from scratch to protect margins and values

29:49 – Launch of new flagship products at lower price points

30:43 – First EBITDA-positive stretch + building locally

Get Connected

Meghan Wolfgram

Founder and CEO of Swift Paws, Inc.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swiftpaws_official/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwiftPaws/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@swiftpaws

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SwiftPaws

Shark Tank Episode 13: https://youtu.be/7yYqEvJnSNc?si=YLyCgZclw1xLJauQ

Episode Sponsors

Valley Bank https://valley.com/business

Harbour House Oceanfront Venue https://www.harbourhouseevents.com/

weVENTURE Women’s Business Center empowers entrepreneurs in Florida’s Space Coast and Treasure Coast through education, mentorship, consulting, and a strong network of support to help businesses launch, grow, and thrive.

Co-Hosts + Production Credits

Darcy Manning | THE DARCYMM COLLECTIVE Luxury beauty agency serving Central Florida (bridal, business portraits, private lessons).

https://linktr.ee/darcymm IG: @makeupbydarcymm | @darcymmcollective

KyAlea Monma | HOKU Design Group Award-winning brand and media design agency recognized by USA Today and DesignRush for excellence in brand storytelling. https://www.hoku.design LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyalea/ IG: @hokudesigngroup