Barbara Ann Corcoran is an American businesswoman, investor, syndicated columnist, and television personality. She founded The Corcoran Group, a real estate brokerage in New York City, which she sold to NRT for $66 million in 2001 and shortly thereafter exited the company. One of the show’s original “Shark” investors, Corcoran has appeared in all 14 seasons of ABC’s Shark Tank to date. As of January 2023, she has made 130 deals on the show, the largest being a $350,000 investment for 40% of Coverplay.
Corcoran was born in Edgewater, New Jersey, on March 10, 1949. She attended a local Catholic elementary school and started high school at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood. After flunking several courses during her freshman year, Corcoran transferred to Leonia High School, where she graduated as a D student. Corcoran graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College with a degree in education in 1971, faring better than she had in her previous schooling.
After college, Corcoran worked as a waitress and a cocktail waitress. In 1973, she took a job as a receptionist at a small real estate office. She quickly learned the business and soon became a broker. In 1974, she founded her own real estate brokerage company, The Corcoran Group.
The Corcoran Group quickly grew to become one of the largest and most successful real estate brokerage companies in New York City. Corcoran was known for her aggressive marketing style and her ability to close deals. She was also known for her mentoring of young women in the real estate industry.
In 2001, Corcoran sold The Corcoran Group to NRT for $66 million. She remained with the company for a few years, but she eventually left to pursue other interests.
In 2009, Corcoran joined the cast of Shark Tank. The show features a panel of wealthy investors who listen to pitches from entrepreneurs and decide whether to invest in their businesses. Corcoran has been a popular member of the panel, and she has invested in several successful businesses on the show.
Corcoran is also a successful author and speaker. She has written several books on entrepreneurship, including “Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business!” and “The Shark Factor: How to Sell Your Business, Raise Money, or Ace Any Negotiation.” She is also a frequent speaker at business conferences and events.
Corcoran is a recognized expert in the field of entrepreneurship. She is a member of the board of directors of several companies, and she also serves as a mentor to young entrepreneurs. She is a strong advocate for women in business, and she believes that entrepreneurship is the key to economic empowerment.
Corcoran is a successful entrepreneur who has made a significant impact on the world of business. She is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and a role model for anyone who wants to achieve their dreams. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and innovation.
Here are some other notable achievements in Barbara Corcoran’s life and career:
- She was named one of the “Top 50 Women in Business” by Fortune magazine in 2005.
- She was inducted into the Real Estate Hall of Fame in 2007.
- She is the recipient of the Horatio Alger Award in 2012.
- She is the founder of the Barbara Corcoran Foundation, which provides educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to young women.
Barbara Corcoran’s accomplishments in business resonate with hope and perseverance. She serves as a beacon for aspirants, illuminating the fruits of tenacity and strategic thinking.