Ep 1. Episode 101

Beyond the Tank is a spin-off of the popular business show, Shark Tank. The show revolves around the businesses that got a deal on Shark Tank and follows up on their progress since the deal was made. In season 1 episode 1, titled Episode 101, the show focuses on three businesses- Surfset Fitness, Pork Barrel BBQ, and Cousins Maine Lobster.

The episode begins with a segment on Surfset Fitness, which is a fitness studio that offers a unique workout on surfboards. The company's founder, Mike Hartwick, had made a deal with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank and was hoping to expand the business with Cuban's help. The episode shows the challenges faced by Hartwick in expanding the business and the impact Cuban's advice had on his decisions. We also see the struggles Hartwick faced with scaling the business and his attempts to raise funds for the expansion. The segment ends with a surprise visit from Cuban, who offers some much-needed advice to Hartwick.

The second segment of the episode is focused on Pork Barrel BBQ, a company that produces BBQ sauce and various BBQ-related products. The founder, Heath Hall, had made a deal with Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank and was looking to expand the business. The segment showcases the struggles faced by Hall and his partner, Brett Thompson, in expanding the business and the various challenges they faced. We see their attempts to secure a national retail deal and the impact that had on their business. The segment ends with an emotional reunion between Hall and his partner, who had left the business during the expansion phase.

The final segment of the episode revolves around Cousins Maine Lobster, a company that serves fresh Maine lobster through food trucks. The company's founders, Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis, had made a deal with Barbara Corcoran and were looking to expand the business. The segment showcases the impact the deal had on the business and their attempts to expand the business beyond Maine. We see the challenges faced by Lomac and Tselikis in securing funds for expansion and the struggles they faced when opening a storefront in California. The segment ends with the two founders reflecting on their journey so far and their hopes for the future of Cousins Maine Lobster.

Overall, Beyond the Tank season 1 episode 1 provides an exclusive look at the challenges faced by businesses after making a deal on Shark Tank. The episode showcases the struggles faced by the business owners in expanding their ventures and the impact the Shark Tank deals had on their businesses. The episode is insightful and provides a unique perspective on the inner workings of successful businesses.