Biography

Book Barbara Corcoran through The Keynote Curators.

Barbara Corcoran’s credentials include straight D’s in high school and college and twenty jobs by the time she turned twenty-three. It was her next job, however, that would make her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country, when she borrowed $1,000 from her boyfriend and quit her job as a waitress to start a tiny real estate company in New York City. Over the next twenty-five years, she’d parlay that $1,000 loan into a five-billion-dollar real estate business.

Barbara Corcoran is the author of If You Don’t Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons on Your Pigtails, an unlikely business book that has become a national best-seller. In it, Barbara credits her struggles in school and her mother’s kitchen-table wisdom for her imagination and her quick wittedness in the business world. The book is a fresh, frank look at how to succeed in life and business and is as heartwarming as it is smart and motivating. She’s also the author of the best seller Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business! and host of top business podcast “Business Unusual with Barbara Corcoran.”

In 2005 Barbara’s entrepreneurial spirit prompted her to start a new venture, the television production and business consulting company Barbara Corcoran Inc. She is a regular contributor to the Fox News Network and ABC’s Good Morning America and The View. She is a frequent small business and real estate contributor on every major network, and she has been an investor/Shark for the past eleven seasons on ABC’s four-time Emmy award winning show, Shark Tank, investing in over 80 businesses to date.

As a speaker, Barbara brings her front-lines experience and infectious energy to every person she meets. Motivational, inspirational, and sometimes outrageous, Barbara Corcoran’s tell-it-like-it-is attitude is a refreshing approach to success.

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BARBARA’S STORY

With straight D’s in high school and college plus 20 jobs by the time she turned 23, Barbara’s beginnings may have seemed lackluster but it was her next job that would catapult her to meteoric success. She borrowed $1,000, quit her job as a waitress and started a tiny real estate company in New York City. Over the next 25 years, Barbara built a $5 billion real estate business, The Corcoran Group.

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

Highly motivating and sensationally entertaining, Barbara shares her strategies to get your team pumped up and moving forward with new ideas and fresh solutions. Barbara’s unique and practical lessons help salespeople, managers and business owners lead their enterprises to the next level.

SURVIVE IN TROUBLED TIMES

Can you build a business through a crisis and still come out on top? Barbara survived three recessions while growing The Corcoran Group and knows the ins and outs of weathering the storm. Her expert tips will help your business adapt to change quickly and emerge even stronger on the other side.

MAKE RESILIENCE YOUR SUPERPOWER

Barbara has mastered the art of bouncing back from failure, and she knows there’s always an upside if you stay in the game. Resilience is key when coming out of tough times. Barbara will motivate the audience and share her tricks for making the most of a comeback.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Take a deep dive behind the scenes of Shark Tank and get your most riveting questions answered. Do the Sharks invest their own money? What are the traits of successful entrepreneurs? What makes a business flop? What is Kevin really like? Barbara spills all the secrets of the tank in this candid and captivating presentation and reveals never before scene photos of what it’s really like in the entrepreneurial waters.

ASK ME ANYTHING!

Turn the tables on Barbara in this suped-up Q&A session. Barbara puts herself in the hot seat by answering your questions on entrepreneurship, building a successful business, what it’s like to be on Shark Tank and more. Your very own company executive is invited to lead this engrossing discussion.

Testimonials

Barbara brings a priceless level of charm, humor, and intelligence. She has the ability to inspire and connect deeply with her audience. Everyone left the session with great excitement to put Barbara’s takeaways into practice.
– STACEY COHEN, PRESIDENT & CEO, CO-COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Barbara was, of course, FABULOUS! She really set the bar high for our speaker series and we have no idea how we’re going to “top” her next year!
– KIMBERLY HOWES, BRAND MANAGER, FIRST COMMERCE CREDIT UNION
Barbara excites and inspires with her success stories. She is personable and energetic and our attendees thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to hear from her and meet her!
– DIANE MCCLENDON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DALLS HR AND THE HRSOUTHWEST CONFERENCE
With her wit, wisdom and wild sense of humor, Barbara wowed the professional women at our 2014 NAPW National Networking Conference! An absolute major force in the business world, she is a bold, courageous, and brilliant identifier of opportunity and talent. Her business counsel left our conference attendees in awe and completely inspired. I am proud and honored to call Barbara my friend and colleague.
– STAR JONES, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN & PROFESSIONAL DIVERSITY NETWORK (NASDAQ:IPDN)
I've heard many speakers give tips for success, but Barbara’s stories are second to none. Thank you for affirming that fun at work really does work. A standing ovation well deserved!
– JONATHAN FLAKS, EXECUTIVE COACH AND SPEAKE
Commands market power!
– NEW YORK TIMES

Booksby Barbara Corcoran

Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business

If You Don't Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons On Your Pigtails

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Blog Posts

 

Embrace Your Authenticity and Lead Better Teams with Mike Robbins

Great teams aren’t built on talent alone—they’re built on trust, authenticity, and strong human connections....

Read More

Unlock Your Creativity With Progress And Bold Ideas

"Creativity is intelligence having fun." – Albert Einstein Somewhere along the way, many of us...

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How Businesses Can Use More Creative Thinking with Natalie Nixon

Creative thinking isn’t just an extra skill—it’s the ultimate competitive edge. In today’s hyper-competitive business...

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Why Embracing Imperfection Is the True Path to Success

I used to think success meant having it all figured out. That if I just...

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Become a Powerful Leader By Inspiring Others Through Your Actions

What makes a leader truly exceptional beyond simply completing daily tasks? In a world where...

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How Belonging Creates Workplace Magic with Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky

What if the secret to a thriving workplace isn’t more perks or policies—but the power...

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