'Shark Tank' investor Daymond John helping local entrepreneurs

UNIVERSITY CITY (WPVI) -- Daymond John from ABC's hit show "Shark Tank" gave some local entrepreneurs the chance to hit it big Thursday night in University City.

John was at World Caf Live to judge a regional business plan competition.

The winner earned $20,000, and a spot in the national finals - which John says has launched multi-millionaires.

It was all about who could master the art of the pitch.

John told Action News that even if you're not a businessman, those skills can come in handy every day.

"We're pitching all the time - every one of us. We're pitching when we wake up in the morning when we're trying to get into the bathroom before our husband or wife. We're pitching when we get to the office. We are always pitching. And the art of success is a series of successful pitches," he said.

"Shark Tank" just earned an Emmy nomination.

He thinks the show has done so well because it shows how anyone can turn hard work into success.

"People are seeing that everyday people are doing exactly what they could do at home as well and they're realizing that they can do that. It's bringing families together and they're debating, you know, and I love it," he said.

Aside from the Emmy nod, John also just got another big honor.

He was appointed by President Obama as an Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship.

He's heading to Kenya next week with the President to help people there start their own businesses.

New episodes of "Shark Tank" return to 6abc in September.