The Lady on Shark Tank Stole My Idea

This weekend, I watched the most recent episode of Shark Tank. It's a wonderfully edutaining show for the entrepreneurial-minded among us. The show format is that entrepreneurs pitch their company to 5 angel investors. And based on the objective value and potential of the idea, the investors choose whether or not to negotiate for an equity stake in the company.

This week (spoiler alert), a lady pitched her company, ONESOLE. Her product is a shoe base (sole) that integrates with beautifully designed and interchangeable straps. To minimize your shoe budget, color match your wardrobe and maximize the luggage space required when you travel. She got a $500,000 investment from the sharks.

It's a great idea. In fact, I thought so when I came up with it, and posted it on this very site, on August 17, 2006, nearly 5 years ago. Now, I'm not suggesting that my idea was intentionally stolen - simply that she thieved my collective consciousness.

Some of you may be wondering if I'm angry. I'm really not. I didn't want to own this company. I could never be passionate about women's footwear. I simply wanted the product to exist. Now it does, and I can buy one for my wife.