Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary Tells ASI's Orlando Audience A "Golden Age" Is Coming

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Jan 05, 2018, 12:32 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blunt-talking millionaire investor Kevin O'Leary, known as "Mr. Wonderful" on the reality TV show Shark Tank, encouraged entrepreneurs at a standing-room-only trade show keynote on Thursday to take advantage of a "golden age" about to swoop across the American economy as a result of the big corporate tax cuts approved by Congress.

O'Leary said U.S. businesses will have more money to invest, providing an opportunity to sell them more products and services.

Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary answers questions from ASI CEO Tim Andrews during his keynote at ASI's Orlando trade show Thursday.

"I'm extremely bullish," O'Leary told entrepreneurs attending an annual trade show hosted this week by the Advertising Specialty Institute^® (ASI) at Florida's Orange County Convention Center in Orlando for buyers and sellers in the $23 billion promotional products industry. "Love Trump or not, they're going to have so much cash flow, they're going to have money to spend," O'Leary said. "This is going to be a golden age for domestic companies."

The keynote was a highlight of ASI Show^® Orlando, which attracted exhibitors and distributors from 45 states and 15 countries, along with 1,187 companies from Florida.

Along with answering questions from ASI President Timothy M. Andrews, O'Leary offered tips, tricks and advice to fellow entrepreneurs. "If you have a better mousetrap, it doesn't mean you'll be wealthy, but you could disrupt the market and one day be wealthy," said O'Leary, who launched his first company from his basement with a $10,000 loan from his mother and later sold it for $4 billion.

The biggest laugh came when "Mr. Wonderful" said his research shows his biggest return on investment comes from companies run by women, adding "I'm not trying to start gender warfare. I'd give my money to a goat if I could get a return."

Ronnette Bolanos, of Roar Branding, said "Kevin O'Leary gave good insights for small-business entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses such as myself. His suggestions on what we can do to grow our business on a daily basis using social media and how to plan for growth over the next 36 months were fantastic."

Exhibitors and distributors alike told ASI they enjoyed robust first-quarter sales action on a bustling show floor. "We're delighted the industry's enthusiasm and stamina triumphed over earlier-than-usual show dates and historic weather challenges," said ASI's Rita Ugianskis-Fishman. "It was a terrific start to what Kevin O'Leary promised us will be an extremely productive year."

About ASI
The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI^®) serves a network of 23,500 suppliers, distributors and decorators in the $23 billion promotional products industry.

SOURCE Advertising Specialty Institute