Elgin native wins Emmy for work on ‘Shark Tank’

Elgin native Heather M. Dreiling’s work is seen by millions of television viewers a week.

Dreiling is a producer for the popular television show "Shark Tank," which features a panel of potential investors, called "sharks," who consider offers from aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investments for their businesses or products.

Dreiling, 33, a 1999 graduate of Larkin High School, in August received an Emmy for her work on the show.

It was her first Emmy nomination, and her parents, who live in St. Charles, were in the audience at the ceremony in Los Angeles to watch her take home the award.

Kane County Chronicle reporter Eric Schelkopf had the chance to talk to Dreiling, who now lives in Los Angeles, about the show.

Eric Schelkopf: Congratulations on the Emmy win. I understand you are in your third season with “Shark Tank.” What drew you to the project in the first place?

Heather Dreiling: I've been working out here for about nine years on different shows. I'm a freelance producer, so I just kind of go from job to job. I was working on "So You Think You Can Dance," and I got the interview for the job.

I got the job, and it worked out schedule-wise. This is by far my favorite show that I have ever done.

Schelkopf: What is it about the show that appeals to you?

Dreiling: It’s just really neat to watch the entrepreneurs grow. They start out as a small business when they apply for the show. I work with them, and they fly out here for their pitch, and hopefully get a deal.

For the ones who get a deal and are doing well, it’s really nice to see them doing well. It’s a rewarding job in that sense.

Schelkopf: To get the Emmy for “Outstanding Structured Reality Program,” that must have been quite the thrill. What was it like standing on stage?

Dreiling: I barely remember it. It was kind of a blur.

I had no expectations, because we had been nominated before, and we hadn’t won. I hadn’t been included in the nominations, but the show had been nominated before.

So, you never know. I didn’t have any expectations, but I obviously wanted to win, just because both my parents were there.

And it was pretty amazing that we did. My mom screamed when it was announced.

Schelkopf: You had no idea you were going to win, but do you think your parents gave you some luck?

Dreiling: Yeah, I would say so. I would say they are my good luck charm. They should fly out here every year I get nominated.

Schelkopf: What do you think gave “Shark Tank” the edge?

Dreiling: I just think the show has gotten more popular. And I’ve heard from a lot of people that watch the show that it’s very family-oriented. A lot of families sit down and watch it together.

Schelkopf: For people who might not know what a producer does, what are some of your duties?

Dreiling: That’s a good question, because it changes on every show I work on. With “Shark Tank,” it’s getting the entrepreneurs as comfortable as possible to pitch in the tank.

All during the week, I schedule calls with the entrepreneurs and answer any questions that they have. It’s really getting them prepared to come out here to pitch in front of the sharks.

Schelkopf: You've worked on a lot of reality shows, including "Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy" and "CMT's Next Superstar." What appeals to you about reality shows?

Dreiling: I think the interview portion, talking to people, getting to know them. That’s my favorite part.

All the reality shows are laced with sit-down interviews, where they talk about what happened and how they’re feeling. I enjoy that portion of it.

Schelkopf: The reality television genre has been going strong for a while. What do you think the appeal is?

Dreiling: I think it’s people gravitating toward other people.