John Paul DeJoria, Billionaire Entrepreneur And Philanthropist To Join ABC's Shark Tank

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Oct 28, 2013, 11:40 ET

CENTURY CITY, Calif., Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- John Paul DeJoria, the self-dubbed "serial entrepreneur" will join season five of the critically-acclaimed ABC business competition show, Shark Tank as a guest shark this week. Best known as co-founder of Paul Mitchell Hair Care and The Patron Spirits Company, DeJoria has also found success in dozens of additional ventures spanning from conflict-free diamonds to hand-built yachts.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131028/NY05246 )

A prudent believer that "America works," John Paul can often be seen and heard in top business and news media outlets spreading this message and divulging the secrets of his success. Living by his motto, "Success Unshared is Failure," he will now join the Sharks to pay it forward, providing promising entrepreneurs the chance to turn their dreams into reality by making an investment in their future.

On his first dive into the tank, John Paul will listen to two men from St. Louis who have a line of safe, natural cleaning products, a New Yorker inspired by cups at frat parties who hopes for a $300K investment in his standard party cup with a hidden shot glass inside, an entrepreneur from Pleasanton, California with an electric, lightweight bodyboard he claims could be the hottest new thing in water sports, and an entrepreneur from Arcadia, Florida pitching a tented root cover for newly planted trees he claims will save farmers thousands of dollars in fuel and water.

"As a guest shark, I look forward to providing opportunities to future entrepreneurs to change our world for the better," says DeJoria. "Our country still works, and success is possible when paired with determination."

DeJoria's rags-to-riches story exemplifies the American dream—once homeless, he struggled against the odds to achieve success, launching three global enterprises. With just $700 he started Paul Mitchell, the largest privately held salon hair care brand, and later turned a passion into success by co-founding Patron, the world's No. 1 ultra-premium tequila.

A longtime activist for sustainable business and corporate responsibility, John Paul makes these practices paramount as he continues to evolve and grow his businesses, and inspire others, insisting "corporations can and should change the world for the better."

John Paul's initial guest appearance on Shark Tank will air on November 1^st (9pm ET) on ABC (check local listings). Photography and video available at www.abcmedianet.com; photography request line, 818.460.6611.

About John Paul Mitchell Systems^®John Paul Mitchell Systems^®, a top manufacturer of salon-only professional hair care products, has been serving the professional beauty industry for over 30 years. The company currently produces over 100 products (including the brands Paul Mitchell^®, MITCH^®, Awapuhi Wild Ginger^®, Tea Tree, Paul Mitchell^® Pro Tools™, PM SHINES^® and Paul Mitchell^® the color). John Paul Mitchell Systems^® products are sold through distributors within North America to over 100,000 hair salons. Internationally, John Paul Mitchell Systems works with distributors in 86 countries that supply thousands of hair salons. The company does not test its products on animals, nor has it ever tested its products on animals. In accordance with CEO John Paul DeJoria's motto, "Success unshared is failure," John Paul Mitchell Systems^® has a strong commitment to giving back, supporting a wide range of philanthropic causes both domestically and internationally.

About Patron
Patron Spirits is one of the fastest-growing companies in the global beverage alcohol industry. The company's flagship brand, Patron tequila, is an ultra-premium luxury white spirit that's delicious on the rocks, and mixes flawlessly into most any cocktail. From the highest-quality Weber Blue agave plants grown in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, to the centuries-old distillation process, to the handcrafted glass bottles, Patron is produced with unparalleled attention to sophistication and detail. Tequilas in the Patron portfolio consist of Gran Patron Burdeos, Gran Patron Piedra, Gran Patron Platinum, Patron Silver, Patron Reposado, and Patron Anejo. The company also produces Patron XO Cafe and Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa (coffee liqueurs made with Patron Silver tequila), and Patron Citronge (extra fine orange liqueur), as well as Pyrat Caribbean rums, and Ultimat vodka from Poland. For more information, please visit www.patronspirits.com.

About Shark Tank
The Sharks are: billionaire Mark Cuban, owner and chairman of AXS TV and outspoken owner of the 2011 NBA championship Dallas Mavericks; real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran; "Queen of QVC" Lori Greiner; technology innovator Robert Herjavec; fashion and branding expert Daymond John; and venture capitalist Kevin O'Leary.

Mark Burnett, Clay Newbill and Phil Gurin are the executive producers of Shark Tank, which is based on the Japanese Dragons' Den format created by Nippon Television Network Corporation. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television.

SOURCE John Paul Mitchell Systems