Hello from Lansing, Michigan

[tridacna]

If you know of anyone who might be interested in a project that merges recreation, education, and innovation — I’d love to connect.

I repeat....do you have a business plan? I know quite a few investors but none will pay heed without a BP. Lansing seems pretty remote to me given the audience you're trying to attract. How many daily visitors are you planning for to make this successful? The concept is interesting but execution seems awfully difficult.

 

[TritonNexus]

I repeat....do you have a business plan? I know quite a few investors but none will pay heed without a BP. Lansing seems pretty remote to me given the audience you're trying to attract. How many daily visitors are you planning for to make this successful? The concept is interesting but execution seems awfully difficult.

Thank you again — and yes, I am in the process of developing a comprehensive business plan.


I fully understand that serious investors require detailed projections and a solid financial model. I’m currently working with zoning officials, architects, and land consultants to finalize the foundational elements, including site feasibility and cost structure. Once that’s complete, the full business plan will include projected foot traffic, revenue streams (dive admissions, certification courses, retail, café, VR center), operational costs, and phased development options.


As for Lansing — while it may not be traditionally seen as a recreational hub, that’s precisely the opportunity. Its central location makes it accessible from Detroit, Grand Rapids, and even parts of Canada, and it’s surrounded by casino destinations and other regional draws. I believe the absence of a major tourism anchor in Lansing creates an opening for a facility like Triton Nexus™ to serve as a unique, multi-purpose destination. It has the potential not only to attract visitors but to support surrounding small businesses through increased local foot traffic.


I know that vision alone isn’t enough — execution is everything. That’s why I’m taking the time to build this properly. I’d be glad to share the business plan with you once it’s ready, and I appreciate your willingness to engage with the concept.

 

[<*)))><]

You absolutely need to pitch this on the shark tank TV show!

Again best of luck!

 

[TritonNexus]

You absolutely need to pitch this on the shark tank TV show!

Again best of luck!

[You walk into the Shark Tank wearing a Triton Nexus™ shirt, calm and confident.]


“Hello Sharks!
My name is Earl, and I’m the founder of Triton Nexus™, a next-generation indoor scuba experience coming to Michigan.


I’m seeking $3 million for 10% equity in a visionary tourism and dive destination—featuring what will be the deepest indoor scuba pool in the world, diving all the way to 200 feet.


But this isn’t just about depth—it’s about immersive adventure.


At every level of Triton Nexus™, you’ll find something extraordinary:
– 15 ft: Merfolk Grotto with live mermaids
– 30 ft: Glowing Ruins of Atlantis
– 60 ft: A respectful Titanic wreck scene
– 75 ft: A Subnautica-themed research lab (pending permission)
– 100+ ft: The DeepCore Rig for advanced divers


There’s more: scuba certifications, CPR classrooms, therapy dives, party zones, underwater windows, and a retro gas station-style café called Fuel Up Station—where you literally fuel up after your dive.


Triton Nexus™ will also feature an Emergency Wing with hyperbaric chambers and medical staff on standby—because diver safety is everything.


This isn’t just a pool. It’s a destination. A place where families, thrill-seekers, educators, and global divers unite for something unforgettable.


So Sharks… are you ready to dive into the future with me?”

 

[TritonNexus]

The first logo was a simple blue background with "Triton" text—an AI-generated concept. Looked okay to me, but my buddy was like, "No no no, that's boring!"

So then came the second logo—wave + trident guy. My friend claimed he designed it himself. I liked it a lot and used it... until I stumbled across a medical company using the exact same thing. Yep—Triton Medical. Facepalm moment.

I asked my buddy about it and he just said, "Aww man, I was hoping you wouldn’t find that..."

So yeah, I ditched it fast before I got sued.

That brings us to logo #3—which I had professionally custom-designed through Fiverr. I paid for full rights and ownership, so now it's 100% legal, clean, and mine. Lesson learned: don’t trust your friends with “free logos” unless they’re legit designers, lol.

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

So....as someone who had a combination of basic cable and far too much free time Sophomore year of college, I consider myself an expert on shark tank.

Realistically, the sharks aren't going to want to go in on anything that doesn't have some degree of return. You'll get extensive complaints about the long, long wait time to get their money back, and the lack of evidence that you can turn a profit. This is the sort of pitch that Mr. Wonderful won't even offer a royalty on. He'll give you a folksy story about some kind of pet animal that you need to take out back behind the barn and shoot.

Robert's your best bet. You seem (at least from your posts) very passionate, dedicated, and hardworking about this. He likes that, and he's generally the nicest of the sharks. That being said, the 10 million dollar valuation is gonna get raked over the coals, and in general the sharks are very leary to invest in any venture they don't know much about, hasn't turned a profit yet, or carries a high risk of litigation or costs running overboard. At best, I see you walking about with maybe 500k for Robert taking 50% of the company. More likely, they'll all say this just isn't their kind of investment, and very kindly (except Kevin) wish you luck and bail out.

Note that none of this means your idea isn't good or won't work, mind you. Shark tank is just built around a specific kind of business looking for a specific kind of capital investor. By the time you're doing well enough to look like a good bet to the sharks, you'll be too stable and Mark Cuban will chew you out from taking a spot on the floor from people who really need it. Sadly, as thematically appropriate as it might be, Shark tank is just not the place for you.

(And yeah, I know the shark tank thing was a joke, and I hope my response doesn't come off as too harsh in light of that, but I didn't watch probably hundreds of hours of that show to NOT nerd out about it online. C'mon, I'm only human)

 

[<*)))><]

What if Triton pitched his idea with REAL sharks in his tank and named them after the judges?

 

[SouthernSharktoothDiver]

@<*)))>< Kevin O'leary would enjoy that.

 

[TritonNexus]

So....as someone who had a combination of basic cable and far too much free time Sophomore year of college, I consider myself an expert on shark tank.

Realistically, the sharks aren't going to want to go in on anything that doesn't have some degree of return. You'll get extensive complaints about the long, long wait time to get their money back, and the lack of evidence that you can turn a profit. This is the sort of pitch that Mr. Wonderful won't even offer a royalty on. He'll give you a folksy story about some kind of pet animal that you need to take out back behind the barn and shoot.

Robert's your best bet. You seem (at least from your posts) very passionate, dedicated, and hardworking about this. He likes that, and he's generally the nicest of the sharks. That being said, the 10 million dollar valuation is gonna get raked over the coals, and in general the sharks are very leary to invest in any venture they don't know much about, hasn't turned a profit yet, or carries a high risk of litigation or costs running overboard. At best, I see you walking about with maybe 500k for Robert taking 50% of the company. More likely, they'll all say this just isn't their kind of investment, and very kindly (except Kevin) wish you luck and bail out.

Note that none of this means your idea isn't good or won't work, mind you. Shark tank is just built around a specific kind of business looking for a specific kind of capital investor. By the time you're doing well enough to look like a good bet to the sharks, you'll be too stable and Mark Cuban will chew you out from taking a spot on the floor from people who really need it. Sadly, as thematically appropriate as it might be, Shark tank is just not the place for you.

(And yeah, I know the shark tank thing was a joke, and I hope my response doesn't come off as too harsh in light of that, but I didn't watch probably hundreds of hours of that show to NOT nerd out about it online. C'mon, I'm only human)

Haha, I loved this breakdown—and trust me, I’m not crying behind the barn with Mr. Wonderful’s imaginary dog (yet ).

You’re absolutely right though. I know Shark Tank is built for rapid-growth product-based businesses, not giant, tourism-driven infrastructure projects. I posted that mostly as a fun “what if” moment when someone on the forum said I should pitch it.

That said, I really appreciate the honest take, especially the part about Robert. I’ve always liked that guy. And who knows? Maybe once Triton Nexus is up, running, and packed with scuba divers and ocean nerds, I’ll send him a VIP pass.

Thanks again for taking the time to nerd out with me—I respect the Shark Tank expertise, and honestly, this made my night.

 

[TritonNexus]

What if Triton pitched his idea with REAL sharks in his tank and named them after the judges?

Okay, now that’s a twist I didn’t know I needed.

Picture this: “Welcome to the Triton Nexus™ Shark Experience… Meet Mr. Wonderful the grumpy hammerhead, Lori the graceful reef shark, Mark Cuban the bossy bull shark, and Robert the chill nurse shark who always swims by to check on your form.”

Bonus points if they all circle you while you pitch your business idea underwater, and the one who likes it taps a laminated “I’m in” card with their fin. If not, they just… swim off.

Thanks for that visual, now I kinda want to make an animated spoof of it