Hard work pays off and when you’re at Walt Disney World, so does the magic. An Ohio teen was left speechless after he was awarded the rare opportunity to attend a taping of ABC’s Shark Tank. It took place on Saturday morning at the Disney Dreamers Academy in Orlando.  

Te’Lario Watkins II, of Blacklick, OH, 16, was under the impression that he was doing a media presser about his experience at the Academy. But it turns out that the mock presser was a set-up for the ultimate finale in which Shark Tank investor Daymond John came out and surprised the teen with an opportunity to attend a taping of the popular ABC pitching show in Los Angeles.

John, who is also the founder of FUBU told Watkins, “I’ve read your story. I love how you’re trying to fight off hunger in your community.”

He added, “I want you to do better than me, I want you to give you a little opportunity to be on Shark Tank.” Watkins responded, “OK.”

“Are you going to be available,” John jokingly asked him.

“I am, 100%,” Watkins replied.

John said, “I didn’t tell you what it is.”

“I’ll be available any time,” Watkins said.

During a brief presser following the surprise, John discussed the importance of mentorship and sharing that knowledge with the next aspiring generation.

“Anybody who has been mentored…when they see people that deserve it, they almost always wanted to pay it forward,” John says.

Watch the video below of the surprise:

 Watkins is an advocate for helping people with food injustice and food insecurity.

He is the CEO and founder of Tiger Mushroom Farms, which cultivates gourmet mushrooms and sells dry mushroom products. He is also the founder of a non-profit called the Garden Club Project, which addresses food insecurities in his community.

The teen started his entrepreneurial endeavors when he was seven years old. As a cub scout, one of his first projects was growing basil, which sparked his interest in agriculture. He asked his parents if they could start growing things.

After pondering what they could produce successfully in an Ohio winter, they thought of mushrooms which sparked his business. Watkins’ mother, LaVanya Watkins, who is a Florida A&M graduate and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. says she is committed to helping her son keep living his dream and achieving those goals.

“I’m inspired as much as he is, so I’m glad I’m here with him,” Watkins shares about her experience at the Disney Dreamers Academy.

Each year, Walt Disney selects 100 Black high school students and those from underrepresented communities to participate in the immersive mentoring and career development program.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet new people,” the teen entrepreneur reflected on his time at the academy. “You’ll have an amazing time and the energy around you is comforting and invigorating.”

The future plans for Watkins include attending college and pursuing a career in agriculture. “I hope I can diminish food injustice as well as help end child hunger, that’s one of my biggest dreams.”