He’s no stranger to speaking his mind, a trait that has seen Shark Tank’s Steve Baxter gain a reputation for being a little grumpy.
But the Queensland entrepreneur is determined that Aussie audiences get to know the real him.
“I don’t think I’m cranky at all,” Steve (left), 47, declares to TV WEEK.
“I look like a bit of a tosser on TV sometimes, but I believe you need to have an honest exchange in these pitches.
“What you’re seeing is my true personality – love it or lump it.”
Steve admits when he’s at home with his wife, Emily, and three daughters, Olivia Kate, five, and one-year-old twins, Nina Marie and Kara Adalyn, he dials it down – a bit.
“At home, I’m a bit more relaxed,” he chuckles.
Steve says much of his frustration comes from how Shark Tank is produced.
“It costs me $300,000 to do due diligence on the Shark Tank pitches I invest in,” Steve says.
“So it’s expensive – far more than [Network] Ten pay me,” he reveals.
“Ultimately, I don’t care about the money, but it does mean I’d rather see good pitches.”
Steve with the other Sharks; Janine Allis, Andrew Banks, Naomi Simson and Glen Richards.
Steve isn’t the only one who finds ‘poor’ pitches irritating. Fellow Shark Naomi Simson reveals the worst thing about pitches is when people are “ill-prepared.”
As an example, Naomi recalls “the guy who came in and said he could turn rubbish from supermarkets into power.
“We asked him, “What’s in the black box?” He said, “Nothing yet. That’s what I’m going to use your money for.”
