Shark Tank’s Steve Baxter fends off ‘sexist pig’ comment from Glen Richards

QUEENSLAND’S chief entrepreneur, Steve Baxter, has defended his comments to a Shark Tank contestant after being labelled a ‘sexist pig’ by fellow shark Glen Richards.

Steve Baxter says the full context of his comments was not aired.

IS QUEENSLAND’S chief entrepreneur a “sexist pig”?

That was the explosive allegation levelled this week against Steve Baxter (illustrated) during a heated episode of Channel 10’s hit show Shark Tank.

The Brisbane-based millionaire investor copped the flak after he told a small-business owner that her timid mindset helped explain why there is such a glaring pay gap between the sexes.

Baxter, who reduced the woman to tears, copped a truck load of Twitter grief from other members of the sisterhood for his spray.

But he stood by his comments yesterday even as he noted that some of the context went missing and a good bit of the episode ended up on the cutting room floor.

TOUGHEN UP

THE trouble started when Queensland business owner Tanya Wood sought $40,000 for a 20 per cent stake in her furnishing business Sunburst Outdoor Living.

The 44-year-old mum has already sold more than 130,000 cushions and turned over more than $2.6 million since launching the company four years ago.

But things started to go wobbly when Wood said she’d like help contacting retail outlets and resorts to start stocking her goods.

That prompted Baxter to wonder why she hadn’t already done that most basic of outreach work.

“You’re sort of saying, ‘I’ve tried and I can’t’. You’ve got to not take no for an answer. It’s unfortunate, but females tend to do it that way,” he said,

“Why do you think there’s a female pay gap? Because there is, I’m not denying there isn’t, right? The reality is you don’t come across as assertive enough.”

At that point, appalled fellow shark Glen Richards couldn’t help but barge in. “Because of a whole bunch of sexist pigs like you. You have three daughters. Change the world,’’ he said.

An agitated Baxter, though, wouldn’t back down and just kept riffing on his point.

“I’m not saying it’s fair but I’m saying it’s actually the fact, right? You need to show more aggression, especially for a female,’’ he said.

Wood struggled to regroup at that point, saying she was nervous being on the show but not timid in her approach to business.

“This has been my life, my passion, my dreams for four years, and I’m here now. I will be on the phones for 10 hours a day if that’s what it takes because I’m going to make this happen with or without you guys,’’ she vowed.

“I’ve worked my butt off for three years, and I have a child,’’ Wood continued, fighting back tears.

“So I’m trying to juggle everything.’’

To no one’s surprise, Baxter passed on a chance to invest in Wood’s startup but another shark, Naomi Simpson, tipped in $40,000 for a 30 per cent stake in the venture.

Whether the deal eventuates, though, remains to be seen.

An analysis of the show last year found that just four of the 27 businesses which secured an on-air commitment of funds actually ended up getting the money.

HOCKEY WAR

IT’S beginning to look like war between the United States and Canada.

The two sides are set to clash on the ice in Brisbane just as a new trade conflict erupts between the North American neighbours.

Yes, the Yanks and the Canucks will vie for supremacy on July 7 in the 2018 Ice Hockey Classic at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Canada has emerged victorious over the past three years and we’re fairly sure that
they’re pretty motivated for another win.

Oddly enough, the local chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce
will be holding its July 4th party there even though
it’s three days after the real independence day.