TOW #2: Breathometer Shark Tank Pitch- by Charles Michael Yim

This is a video of Charles Michael Yim’s Shark Tank pitch of his new product: the Breathometer. Yim describes the problem that after a night out with friends, many can find themselves having too much to drink. He asks, “And the most important question is: are you safe to drive?” The rhetorical question that he poses can resonate with many adults, including the investor board listening to his pitch, as driving after a night out with friends can can pose many safety issues. He describes this question as “the most important question” and uses a pressing tone in order to create his desired effect to make the issue of drunk driving stick in the minds of the audience. He continues and talks about a current solution to this problem. He asks, “Who would want to carry one of these bulky, old breathalyzers around?” This is another rhetorical question, which makes the audience question why someone would want this current solution. He describes the current breathalyzers as “bulky” and “old,” which helps create the effect that they are undesirable. He finally presents his solution, the Breathometer, “the world’s first smartphone breathalyzer.” He compares his innovative, modern product with the old fashioned breathalyzer. He also compares their sizes and describes his product as, “so small, it can fit in your pocket.” Through this juxtaposition between his solution to preventing drunk driving and current solutions, he is able to show that his product is superior.

Throughout the whole pitch, Yim maintains a serious, calm, and confident tone of voice, which helps to achieve his purpose: to receive an investment from the investors that will help him scale is venture. The people in the investor panel are experienced, self-made people in the business world. Yim establishes his credibility by giving a convincing pitch and being able to answer the tough questions that the investors throw at him (he even knows the numbers and stats of his business by heart). In the end, Yim was able to secure $1 million from the investors in return for thirty-percent of his company.

With thousands of people being killed from drunk driving accidents annually, Yim truly believes in his cause to offer an easy and simple way to solve this problem. Overall, through his strong pitch, including the use of rhetorical questions, juxtaposition, and a confident tone, he is able to achieve success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx8I703K2RI