From Teen Entrepreneur to Shark Tank Success: Shirah Benarde’s Journey

In Season 4, Episode 6 of the Turning Pro Podcast, host Ben Sharf chats with Shirah Benarde, co-founder and CEO of NightCap, the innovative drink-safety scrunchie that took Shark Tank by storm. 

Shirah’s journey began at just 16, sparked by a personal mission after a friend’s harrowing experience with drink-spiking. From creating her first prototype from household items to landing a Shark Tank deal with Lori Greiner, Shirah reveals how intuition, youthful audacity, and relentless hustle helped her navigate skepticism, self-doubt, and rapid entrepreneurial growth.

Listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

10 Key Lessons from Shirah Benarde’s Episode:

1. Solve Real Problems: Shirah’s idea was born out of a personal connection to drink safety, proving that impactful solutions often start close to home.

2. Embrace Your Age as an Advantage: Being young initially felt like a hurdle, but Shirah discovered it was her greatest asset, bringing fresh perspective and audacity to her business.

3. Prototype Quickly and Cheaply: Shirah created her first NightCap prototype from stockings and a scrunchie, illustrating that innovation doesn't require extensive resources.

4. Trust Your Instincts: Shirah’s decision to leave college was met with resistance, yet she trusted her gut, prioritizing real-world impact over traditional education.

5. Authenticity is a Viral Superpower: Authenticity, not perfection, drove Shirah’s early viral success. People connect deeply with genuine storytelling.

6. Fake It Till You Become It: Confidence often grows from repeatedly stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the "fake it till you make it" mindset.

7. Prioritize and Outsource Strategically: Shirah learned the importance of valuing her time, delegating tasks like social media management and content editing to scale effectively.

8. Advocacy Fuels Growth: Successfully lobbying for California legislation mandating drink covers highlighted Shirah’s broader vision and significantly expanded NightCap’s market potential.

9. You Are Not Alone in Feeling Lost: Early insecurities stemmed from comparing herself to others. Shirah realized everyone, regardless of age or success, navigates uncertainty.

10. Take Bold Actions to Open Doors: Shirah's spontaneous pitch to Forever 21's CEO led to a nationwide store placement, underscoring the transformative power of seizing opportunities.

Shirah Benarde’s story exemplifies that entrepreneurship is about courage, adaptability, and turning personal passions into powerful business solutions. 

Her ability to leverage authenticity, seize unexpected opportunities, and champion legislative change showcases how young entrepreneurs can create significant impact, inspiring others to take risks and chase meaningful ventures.

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