Shark Tank Pitch Pays Off for BSU Alumna

Danita Claytor (’06) & Her Partners Land a $300,000 Deal with Billionaire Mark Cuban

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – Danita Claytor is an entrepreneur who has landed the opportunity of a lifetime. The 2006 Bowie State University alumna and her partners accepted a $300,000 deal with billionaire investor Mark Cuban for their gourmet vegan burger company in their recent appearance on ABC’s show, Shark Tank.

Claytor and her business partners pitched Everything Legendary on Shark Tank in the Feb. 26 episode. The company is the brainchild of Claytor and her business partner, Duane Myko, who grew up vegan. Myko saw the benefits of a plant-based diet on his mother, who suffered with lupus. Claytor’s passion for healthy eating and business strategy work with community organizations prepared her to become the company’s president. The duo combined their expertise to launch a business focused on developing great-tasting plant-based burgers.

“My gift is to meet people where they are and push them beyond their limits. I teach, I empower youth, and I am an advocate in the community for families,” Claytor said. “I always say, ‘Go boldly toward your dreams. …  You just have to stay focused.’”

Claytor’s mother, who died of cancer, predicted that she would someday appear on Shark Tank. Claytor also lost her father before her mother’s death. While she is grateful for her Shark Tank success, she credits her parents for nurturing her potential.

“It’s just an amazing feeling,” she said. “I’m sad that my parents are not here to see this, but I’m also happy to know that they raised me to be a well-rounded individual.” 

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