KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Shark Tank Success Stories: Behind the Pitch — A Candid Conversation With Successful Founders
• Keynote Theatre
Dive “behind the tank” with entrepreneurs who landed deals on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank as they share how they turned bold ideas into booming businesses. Discover their inspiring journeys, key lessons, and powerful strategies for overcoming challenges and scaling success.
Moderated by Nicole Denise, an Entrepreneurial Powerhouse and Brand Strategist.
Shark Tank is a registered trademark of Sony Pictures Television Inc. and ABC. This event is not affiliated with or endorsed by Shark Tank, Sony Pictures, or ABC.
Presented by:
Nicole Denise Brand Intelligence Strategist & CEO, CoAgency
Nicole Denise Phillip is a Brand Intelligence Strategist and founder of CoAgency, where she helps coaches, consultants, and online service experts turn clarity into consistent conversion.
Through her Intelligence Pillars framework — Business Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Capital Intelligence, and Well-Being Intelligence — Nicole equips leaders to scale without burnout by aligning their messaging, automation, systems, and capacity.
With over a decade of experience in brand positioning, business development, and strategic advisory, Nicole is known for helping high-capacity entrepreneurs eliminate confusion, install intelligent systems, and build businesses that support their
Nicole Denise Phillip is a Brand Intelligence Strategist and founder of CoAgency, where she helps coaches, consultants, and online service experts turn clarity into consistent conversion.
Through her Intelligence Pillars framework — Business Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Capital Intelligence, and Well-Being Intelligence — Nicole equips leaders to scale without burnout by aligning their messaging, automation, systems, and capacity.
With over a decade of experience in brand positioning, business development, and strategic advisory, Nicole is known for helping high-capacity entrepreneurs eliminate confusion, install intelligent systems, and build businesses that support their life instead of competing with it.
Her work bridges the gap between calling and conversion, strategy and sustainability, visibility and profitability.
When Nicole speaks, audiences leave with clarity, conviction, and a framework they can immediately implement.
Steve Gadlin Shark Tank Success Story
Steve Gadlin appeared on Shark Tank with his stick figure cat drawing company I Want To Draw a Cat For You and partnered with Mark Cuban. He's the inventor of The Fart Pedal, the guitar pedal that turns your guitar noises into fart noises. A self-described serial silly projects guy, Steve is the host of the newly launched skeptical podcast, "Stevie Wevie No Believey."
Steve Gadlin appeared on Shark Tank with his stick figure cat drawing company I Want To Draw a Cat For You and partnered with Mark Cuban. He's the inventor of The Fart Pedal, the guitar pedal that turns your guitar noises into fart noises. A self-described serial silly projects guy, Steve is the host of the newly launched skeptical podcast, "Stevie Wevie No Believey."
Nick Sky Shark Tank Success Story
Nick Sky is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Changed App, a Chicago-based fintech company helping people pay down debt and build stronger financial futures through automated, small-dollar savings and repayment tools. After appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank, Nick & team continued growing Changed into a platform serving consumers, financial institutions, and credit unions with technology designed to make debt repayment simpler and more achievable. As an entrepreneur, Nick brings firsthand experience navigating the highs, setbacks, and lessons of building a mission-driven company in the fintech space. He is passionate about financial empowerment, resilient leadership, and helping other founders
Nick Sky is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Changed App, a Chicago-based fintech company helping people pay down debt and build stronger financial futures through automated, small-dollar savings and repayment tools. After appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank, Nick & team continued growing Changed into a platform serving consumers, financial institutions, and credit unions with technology designed to make debt repayment simpler and more achievable. As an entrepreneur, Nick brings firsthand experience navigating the highs, setbacks, and lessons of building a mission-driven company in the fintech space. He is passionate about financial empowerment, resilient leadership, and helping other founders turn ambitious ideas into real businesses.
Dan Stelmach Shark Tank Success Story
Dan Stelmach is the Founder and CRO of Changed, a fintech company dedicated to helping people reduce debt and build stronger financial futures. A Chicago native, Dan helped lead Changed’s growth following its appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, helping scale the business through strategic partnerships and product innovation. Today, the platform has helped users pay off more than $100 million in debt and manage over $4.3B in loans. He is passionate about partnerships, product development, AI, and building technology that creates meaningful financial impact.
Dan Stelmach is the Founder and CRO of Changed, a fintech company dedicated to helping people reduce debt and build stronger financial futures. A Chicago native, Dan helped lead Changed’s growth following its appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank, helping scale the business through strategic partnerships and product innovation. Today, the platform has helped users pay off more than $100 million in debt and manage over $4.3B in loans. He is passionate about partnerships, product development, AI, and building technology that creates meaningful financial impact.