The panel on Ten's entrepreneurial reality show Shark Tank field perhaps their most cringe-worthy pitch yet in this week's episode, courtesy of a husband and wife team touting a cure for the common cold.
Steve and Nicole Jones are excited as they prepare to pitch a product that can "change the world" and "help 7.5 billion people" in tomorrow night's episode. As they have the worldwide distribution rights, that's quite the potential marketplace.
![Nicole and Steve Jones have cured the common cold, no biggie. Photo / Channel 10](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/PZON2RX7GHVAHBHWXYEV53W5MA.jpg?auth=cf664d51b67e47ce85ced0b69c8a2adf082919f7694004804fedfccdfe087be6&width=16&height=9&quality=70&smart=true)
The product is called Flu Away 48, a natural medicine that the couple insist "eliminates the symptoms of cold and flu within 48 hours — or your money back".
The hyperbole doesn't end there: Nicole tells the Sharks that Flu Away 48 has "the potential to positively impact every single human life on the planet — and we'd like for you to be a part of it".
How on earth do you say no to that?
The Sharks have a few reservations, though. For a start, there's the couple's hefty asking price — they're seeking a US$1.5 million (NZ$2.1m) investment for a 20 per cent stake in the company.
Looking for further clarification about the health benefits of the product — which is made up of already common cold-alleviating ingredients like garlic, echinacea and vitamin C — the Sharks press Steve and Nicole for their medical credentials.
![Janine seems ... less than convinced. Photo / Channel 10](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/M6I4DBP76UT6PQAFT437YU675Q.jpg?auth=2f8fd5250d4d3d1c0a10ddf5deae9f237e00b9c8c8ff7654b872b80d5acf6715&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
They explain that they're both "business people" who work in real estate. Steve says he also used to own a business in the building industry … that went into administration.
Shark Janine Allis chides the pair for their "cocky" demand for US$1.5m (NZ$2.1m), given they've only invested US$100,000 (NZ$146,000) of their own money into the business.
"You're the business guru, so where are you going to market?" Allis asks them.
![The whole thing's stressing Steve Baxter out. Photo / Channel 10](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/MX63TV3WBZJCTFRZKAG6MR4VXM.jpg?auth=9f116749f9a238113a36ca2f1ff8dc9d8ce0e4b8b5a7c10220eaae2f644efac5&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
"Well, I never said that," shrugs Jones, backtracking on the business-savvy credentials he was touting just a moment ago.
It's tough to watch — and they're still less than halfway through the pitch. It hasn't gone well so far, but will any of the sharks bite?