Rufflebutts/Ruggedbutts is a clothing company for little girls and boys founded by Amber Schaub and her husband Mark that focuses on fashion, quality, and affordability. When Amber was young, her mom would buy her bloomers which she referred to as “rufflebutts.” When Amber went on a search to find a similar product for her own children many years later, but failed, she knew she found an opening in the market she could fill.

Amber also had the feeling to start a company when she got an “entrepreneurial” vibe at her old job, so with these two goals in mind, Amber and her husband started their company.

Ruffflebutts was already profitable their first year of business which is very rare. The company was growing at a massive pace every year as Amber and Mark already had multi-million dollar sales in their fifth year of business. Amber’s business background along with her creativity was helping in accomplishing this.

Amber mentioned that she met Mark Cuban a while back and his background was also a motivator for her when she was starting a company. After learning Mark Cuban was on Shark Tank and learning about the expertise all the sharks brought, Amber and her husband applied to be on the showing hoping to get a business partner that would help them with their ideas and were invited for Season five.

Rufflebutts on Shark Tank

Amber and Mark Schaub entered the tank with their children seeking $600,000 for 7%. Amber began their pitch with how their search for a product that they couldn’t find led them to starting a company that has been drastically successful. Amber and her daughter handed out samples which impressed all the Sharks. Barbara immediately dove into the valuation because of the large ask.

Mark Schaub brought up their sales of nearly $4,000,000, how they have been profitable since starting, and having no debt which amazed all the Sharks.  Kevin asked how many SKUs, distinct products based on color, size, etc, they had and Mark Schaub mentioned they had over 2,000 which upset Kevin.

The sharks moved aside from this issue as Robert asked what they needed the money for and the Schaub family explained that they valued the partnership the sharks brought as the company is growing. Amber went into detail about how her passion for the business came and depicted that their company had no specific competitors.

Kevin went back to his concern with the SKUs and gave everyone an example about a company he was a part of that nearly fell apart by having so many SKUs. Because of this, Kevin went out. Mark Cuban and Robert addressed that they didn’t know the clothing business well enough to bring Amber and Mark Schaub value so they went out as well.

After this, however, tension rose in the Tank as neither Barbara nor Lori would say a word. Barbara accused of Lori of trying to go last so she could make a better offer than her. Lori disputed this, mentioning she was thinking about the valuation rather than trying to go first or last.

Barbara, tired of waiting for Lori, stated that she was heavily impressed with Amber because of her creativity and business knowledge. Because of this, she offered Amber and Mark $600,000 for 12%, but half the money would be a line of credit. Amber immediately thanked Barbara for the offer, but felt the valuation was too low and mentioned the equity would be coming from their kids because the company would eventually be theirs.

Lori, also impressed with Amber, offered them $600,000 for 10%, but half the money would have to be paid back in the first year, while the other half would have to be paid back by the second year. Barbara tried to sell herself by mentioning she builds “power brands” while Lori only sells products, but Lori disputed this and mentioned her expertise was in retail while Barbara’s was in real estate.

Amber and Mark Schuab stepped out to consider both offers. Meanwhile, Mark Cuban told Lori that the offer she made was the worst she has ever offered anyone and that is was a “Kevin deal” by being a loan. Mark Schuab and Amber came back in and countered both Sharks at $600,000 for 8%. Barbara countered at 10%, and Amber mentioned that she wanted to really make a deal, but couldn’t get to that valuation.

Lori also mentioned she felt 10% was right, but was willing to go down to 9%. Seeing value in the lower equity ask, Amber and Mark Schuab took Lori’s offer. Immediately after they left, Mark Cuban and Barbara were shocked that they took Lori’s offer because it was a loan. Mark Cuban felt that and Amber and Mark Schuab didn’t really understand the offer, but felt that Lori got a great deal.

Rufflebutts Now in 2025 – After Shark Tank Update

While they didn’t land a deal on the show, the exposure and publicity that came with appearing on Shark Tank provided an invaluable platform for Rufflebutts to showcase their products. This resulted in a significant spike in website traffic and sales.

And over time, they became a multi-million-dollar business, expanding not only in terms of sales but also in product range. More specifically, they extended their line to include dresses, swimwear, and apparel for boys under the brand name RuggedButts. Not only that but they were also able to secure partnerships with major retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, further enhancing their distribution and reach.

The Schaubs also leveraged their Shark Tank experience to refine their business strategies. They took the feedback received from the Sharks into consideration and used it to streamline operations, improve product design, and strengthen customer relations.

As of 2025, Rufflebutts is still in business and going strong.

If anything, their journey serves as an inspiring example for aspiring entrepreneurs who seek to transform their business dreams into reality.

The post Rufflebutts Update 2025 – See What Happened After Shark Tank appeared first on Gazette Review.

Before appearing on Shark Tank, Sherisse Hawkins was working for Time Warner Cable and Disney. Her Cofounder, Alex Milewski, was attending college at the University of Colorado. The pair started Beneath the Ink despite coming from vastly different backgrounds.  Before going on Shark Tank, they were about to raise $300,000 after participating in a University New Venture Challenge. They also received $250,000 from a state grant. Would the unlikely duo do as well in the Tank? Let’s take a look.

Beneath the Ink on Shark Tank

The pair behind Beneath the Ink walked into the Shark Tank and introduced themselves as Sherisse Hawkins and Alex Malesky. They told the Sharks that they were the co-creators of the Chicago-based business. Sherisse asked the Sharks for $350,000 in exchange for 10% equity. Alex said that Beneath the Ink is a digital text technology company that underplays the text of e-books with rich content. Sherisse aid that the content they provide can be used without the internet, and integrates seamlessly with what you are reading.

On the stage, there was a large sample e-reader with the text of a book already displayed on it. Alex manipulated the image as he spoke. He told the Sharks to image that they were reading a book, came across a character’s name, and wanted to know more about them. On the screen, the character’s name was highlighted. Alex said that you could simply touch the name to learn more about them. He called the additional material “BINKs” (short for Beneath the Ink link). He showed a couple more BINKs, including a map, a photo of a location, and a 3D photo of the Taj Mahal. Sherisse said that their goal was to make reading more immersive and exciting than other e-books. She asked the Sharks which of them wanted to join them on their journey Beneath the Ink.

Mark asked if you had to have a BINK enabled book to experience the content, and the two confirmed that you did. Mark elaborated his point, saying that the process to get the rights to each book and then map out the content has to be expensive and time-consuming. He asked them to explain the entire process of annotation from start to finish. Alex stated that what they are selling is an online portal where the author drags and drops the manuscript, and then adds the extras where they would like. Mark wanted to confirm that the author was the one to put the content in, and Alex agreed that that was what takes place.

Robert wanted to know what the process looked like to the actual consumer of the content. Alex explained that as an author, the portal offers options to publish to all the great e-book outlets. As a reader, you can use the extra content on any platform of your choice. Mark was all about the money – he wanted to know where they were getting paid. Sherisse told him that there are three different revenue streams. Beneath the Ink has a licensing model for universities or larger corporations that want to make several Beneath the Ink titles. There is a subscription model for smaller scale authors. That can be purchased for $12 a month. There’s also an export fee which is $99 per e-book channel.

Barbara wanted to know how much an author would pay to BINK their content. Alex told her it would be less than a thousand dollars. He elaborated that they would take a share of the royalties for each copy sold, which comes from the content owner. The content owner is either the publisher or the author. Kevin said that he was intrigued by the idea because he had three books out. He asked if his book that sold for $14.99 in e-book format would still cost the same amount with BINK content. Alex said no. He told the Sharks that they did a survey, and 98% of users wouldn’t mind paying extra for the additional content. They stated that they would pay 10 to 20 % extra, and Kevin clarified that to two dollars.

Robert wanted to learn more about the company. He asked what the sales looked like for the past year. Sherisse told the Sharks that Beneath the Ink was pre-revenue, which is common for startups at that stage. Mark asked them how long they had been in business. Sherisse said they had been in business for two years. She told the Sharks that Beneath the Ink was able to raise $600,000 in fundraising. Lori seemed impressed.

Kevin said that the only way the business model would be worth anything was if they were able to get great authors on board. Sherisse told him that she disagreed. There is a significant trend of small, self-published authors, in particular on the Kindle platform. Kevin asked them how many books went through the BINK process, and Sherisse told him there were only 8. Robert looked surprised, asking them if that was it. Sherisse said that she had chased particular niches, but Robert was having none of it. He stated that they need to start going after major authors and publishers. He told them if they got an enormous book, such as a Harry Potter in the BINK format, they are ready to go. The pair agreed. Robert asked them if they had approached any large publishers, and Sherisse said that they had. She told him that they were in communications with an author on the cusp of making it big.

Kevin asked what his sales would be to offset the cost of BINKing the publication. He wanted to know how much profit the author could expect to make by going the extra mile to BINK a book versus standard publishing. He said that he thought the model was unproven, and he wasn’t on board since they were at the very beginning stages of a “very rocky road.” He went out.

Sherisse told the Sharks that they took the risk out of the business. The Sharks laughed, and Robert told them in no uncertain terms that they had not. Mark had harsh words for the pair. He called them delusional. He told them that, yeah, they had raised $600,000, but that was not enough to drive demand. They would not be able to pay authors enough to keep them interested, especially not the big name ones. Sherisse asked if Mark had the technology to help them get there. Mark said no indignantly and stated that they were just trying to expand on technology that’s already there. He told the duo that they would need more cash than he would ever be willing to apply towards Beneath the Ink. He went out, stating that they had problems they were not even aware of yet.

Lori said that the final product sounded smart, and like a better reading experience. She was less confident in the ability of the product to reach authors, and to get to the market to be profitable. She stated that she would not be able to invest, and she went out. Sherisse attempted to tell the remaining Sharks that they wouldn’t find a more driven pair of entrepreneurs. Robert told them that it wasn’t enough. Barbara said to Sherisse and Alex that she had had a book out for many years. She could see many places in the book where it could benefit from BINKIng… But it would not help them, or Barbara make more money. Barbara said that she did not have faith in the business, and she was the next to go out. This left only Robert.

Robert told Alex that he thought it was a brilliant idea. He was concerned, however, because it seemed evident to him that BINKing a book needed to drive more book sales. Robert said that they didn’t appear to share that vision. Alex disagreed. He said that was what they were asking for the money for so that they can test the hypothesis. Robert stated that it was too early for him, and he was not able to get behind it at this time. He told them that it would take them millions of dollars to get where they needed to be, and they did not have a clear path to get them to success. He went out and wished them luck. In the exit interview, Alex said confidently that BINK was the way of the future.  

Beneath the Ink Now in 2025 – The After Shark Tank Update

After their appearance on Shark Tank, Beneath the Ink continued to operate and pursue their business endeavors. While they didn’t land a deal per se, their appearance have given them a significant amount of exposure; this helped them attract attention from other potential investors and customers, which in return, helped with their growth and development.

Since then, Beneath the Ink – later rebranded as PageDip – has continued to innovate and develop their unique technology. Their product has been updated to remain competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape and they have also maintained a focus on providing an immersive reading environment that brings stories to life with enriched and interactive content.

As of 2025, they are still in business and their products can be found on their official website.

To summarize, while Beneath the Ink didn’t secure an investment deal on Shark Tank, they have continued to persevere in their business objectives.

If anything, their story serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of entrepreneurs who are committed to bringing innovative ideas to life. Despite challenges and setbacks, Beneath the Ink has shown that with passion and dedication, a company can continue to grow and achieve success.

The post Beneath the Ink 2025 Update – What Happened After Shark Tank appeared first on Gazette Review.

Before Michael DeSanti started his company Squirrel Boss, he was an aerospace professional. How did he make the switch to squirrel zapping entrepreneur? Michael lives in a rural area of Hawley, Pennsylvania and enjoys watching and feeding the birds that flock near his home. He was getting annoyed by the squirrels that would come to steal their food and decided to get even – but in a humane way. Would the Sharks be will to buy into his vision?

Squirrel Boss on Shark Tank

Michael J Desanti walked out on stage and greeted the Sharks. There was a moment of awkward silence before he introduced himself, and told them he was seeking $130,000 in exchange for 40% of his business. He said that he was selling the Squirrel Boss, which is a bird feeder that is supposed to repel squirrels. This seemingly simple statement had the Sharks laughing. Michael called the Squirrel Boss the first interactive squirrel-proof bird feeder. He told the Sharks that he realized that squirrels needed to feed their cute furry faces, but they often eat all the food in the bird feeder if they are able. The Squirrel Boss delivers a harmless static shock to the squirrel when the owner presses a button on the remote. The Sharks cracked up at this.

Michael described the shock as similar to the sensation of walking across a carpet and then touching something. He confirmed that it would not hurt the squirrel, just tingle a little. Michael asked the Sharks, who would like to try the contraption out. Lori said “Woo!”, and Michael invited her up. Robert volunteered himself to zap her and walked up to the stage with Lori. Robert eagerly zapped her, and Lori let out a little scream. Mark said he did not quite see it, and asked them to do it again. Robert told him to come up and try it, and Mark complied. Robert shocked him, and Mark let out a cry of surprise and walked away shaking his fingers. Mark tried to get Daymond and Kevin to go up, but they were having none of it. It was Robert’s turn to be shocked.

Robert gripped the Squirrel Boss, and Mark held the remote behind his back. For an awkward moment nothing happened, and then Robert was shocked. He also walked away, laughing and shaking his fingers. Daymond was the next up, and he also walks away in pain. Kevin flat out refused to take a turn. Robert asked if the zapper only works if someone was there watching, and pressing the remote. Michael said that that was the second biggest objection that he received on the product. The Sharks, naturally, wanted to know what the first was. Michael told them that people said the product was too expensive. He said that was why he was on Shark Tank in the first place.

Lori asked if the squirrels kept coming back if they were shocked. Michael said that the squirrel wouldn’t touch the feeder after one or two shocks. Robert asked if the animal rights activists would be angry about the feeder. Michael stated that animal rights groups did not want the squirrels being killed, so they supported the product. He said that many people illegally and unethically shot the squirrels to death instead. Michael stated that he knew of a squirrel rehabilitator whose job involved nursing baby squirrels back to health. That man said that he liked the bird feeder much more than the alternative, even though he would not personally own one.

Mark asked for details on the business side of Squirrel Boss. Michael said that he had sold $196,000 worth of product, which is about 4000 units. The average wholesale price is $47.47 per unit. Robert asked how much Michael had invested already. Michael told him that he had an Angel investor who put $140,000 into the business. Mark asked him how much he had paid him back, and Michael said that he paid more than ⅔’s back to the investor. He would have paid it all back, but he spent $60,000 for traditional marketing which was ineffective.

Robert asked how much of Michael’s own money he had put into the business. Michael told him he had put in thousands of his dollars, but it didn’t quite reach tens of thousands. Lori asked him if he had a patent on it. Michael told her that his patent attorney was terrible, and his license was denied due to the attorney not being current on patent law. Lori asked if it was rejected because something already existed that was like the product, but Michael denied that that was the case. Lori noticed something on the packaging. It said As Seen on TV, which she questioned Michael on. He told her that news crews came to his house, which Lori said was not the same thing as a “real As Seen on TV.”

Robert told him that he thought it was a quirky product that he could make a little money on, but could not turn into a long-term business. He said that Michael was right for inventing it, but he did not want to get zapped again. He went out. Michael thanked him but disagreed. He told the remaining Sharks that the Squirrel Boss was a bird feeder that paid for it’self with the amount of money you save on bird’s seed that would mostly be going to the squirrels. He told them that it was saving the lives of millions of squirrels and that it was “fun every time.”

Lori said that zapping a squirrel was a little too sadistic for her. She was the next to go out. Michael told the Sharks that he could not leave without a deal. Mark said that the Squirrel Boss was not a product he could put his heart into. He told Michael he wasn’t a squirrel whisperer, and he went out. Only two Sharks remained. Michael said he was sorry to hear that. Kevin was the next to go out, make a pun about being shocked on the way. Daymond didn’t give Michael any false hope; he immediately went out after them. He did not even give him a reason.

Michael stood there for a second and then told the Sharks that he was refusing to leave. Kevin told Michael to put his hand on the Squirrel Boss, and give the remote to him – he could get him to move real quick. The other Sharks laughed. Michael left, looking very embarrassed. Robert said he thought the squirrels got on the contraption and would just let go in shock when it was zapped. Kevin told him that you could hold a nut in front of the squirrel after it was zapped, and it would have no idea what it was looking at because it would be so confused. IN his exit interview, Michael told the audience that he “really, really, really” wanted one of the Sharks as his partner because he liked all of them in his way- even Mr. Wonderful.

Squirrel Boss Now in 2025 – The After Shark Tank Update

After their appearance on Shark Tank, Squirrel Boss saw a considerable amount of growth in their business despite not landing a deal. For one thing, the publicity gained from the show attracted a significant number of customers, which resulted in an increase in sales. The company’s website also saw increased traffic and their product received widespread recognition.

Having said that, they did run into a number of challenges. One of the main issues was that the cost of producing the bird feeders was high, which impacted profit margins. DeSanti found it difficult to find a cost-effective way to manufacture his product without compromising on its quality.

Despite these challenges, he remained committed to his mission of providing a solution to homeowners who were frustrated with squirrels stealing from their bird feeders.

As of 2025, Squirrel Boss is still in business selling their squirrel-proof bird feeders online. If anything, the company has proven that being on Shark Tank is not just about securing an investment, but also about gaining publicity, attracting potential customers, and providing a platform to showcase innovative ideas.

Squirrel Boss has shown that with a unique product and a strong belief in its utility, a business can still progress and grow, despite not winning the backing of the Sharks.

The post Squirrel Boss 2025 Update – What Happened After Shark Tank appeared first on Gazette Review.

Before appearing on Shark Tank, Greg Myerson invented and developed his World Record Striper Company RattleSinker for 15 years. He perfected the fishing lure and caught many large fish with it. He even holds a world record for catching the largest striped bass. He got his sales up to $55,000, but it took three years. Will his utility patent win over the Sharks despite his low sales?

World Record Striper Company on Shark Tank

Greg Myerson walked out onto the stage and introduced himself to the Sharks. He founded the World Record Striper Company in Connecticut. He was asking for $75,000 in exchange for 20% of the business. He needlessly introduced himself as a fisherman, which had Mark Cuban grinning. Greg said that the secret to catching large fish is using the correct bait, even if he was fishing for a Shark. He brought out a fishing pole with a stack of singles and flicked it to Kevin. Kevin caught it and laughed. He threw it back, complaining that it was just “ones.”

Greg said that he uses his product when he goes fishing. He calls it, aptly enough, the Greg Myerson Rattle Sinker. He told the Sharks that it attracts big fish by mimicking the sounds of a fishes favorite foods. Greg shook one of the sinkers and said that the rattling was the noise of a fish’s dinner bell. The Sharks looked fairly confused. Greg stated that he would be the most famous fisherman in the world. He pulled the cover off a mounted fish. Greg told the Sharks that the fish they were looking at was an 85-pound striped bass. Kevin looked impressed and asked if he caught the fish himself. Greg confirmed that he did. He said it was the most sought after the world record in the fishing arena. He had the certificate from the actual world record framed and mounted on the fake wall on stage. Greg told the Sharks that it had taken him a long time to catch and reel that fish in, and he hoped it did not take as long to convince the Sharks to fund him.

Greg then passed out samples of his product. As each shark received their sample, they played with it, shaking it around. Lori commented that it’s kind of like a rattle, and Greg said that’s exactly what it is. Daymond asked if he caught the record-winning fish using the Greg Myerson Rattle Sinker, and Greg confirmed that he did. He advised them that he holds three other world records that he caught using the same product. Greg asserted that the striped bass is America’s fish, and to find the largest one is the most sought after world record. The Sharks questioned that, and Greg told them that the striped bass is everyman’s fish. You don’t need special equipment or a yacht to find them. Lori looked amused and said that she goes to Martha’s Vineyard, and the fishermen there love striped bass. Greg said that his product is not just for striped bass, it works on all fish.

LorI asked Greg why his product is the best thing for catching fish in general, and how it managed to help him catch his world record fish. Greg told her that it was an excellent question. He said that he had been a fisherman all his life, starting out in the sewer at age two. He said he began using flies as bait when he was eight years old and graduated to using feathers from his grandmother’s dead parrot. He told the Sharks that he caught a trout with his homemade fishing flies, and it got his picture in his local paper. Mark Cuban looked impressed. He even called Greg the man.

Greg learned that fish hunt using sound and vibration rather than sight. To make the lure work, he would pull the line around with the Sinker on it, which made a sound that the fish can hear. Greg said that it trickles the fish into thinking that it was food. Mark asked why no one thought of it before, and Greg said that he was the only one smart enough to do it. That had all the Sharks laughing. Mark said he like Greg and his humble brag. Lori asked where Greg was selling his product, and for how long. Greg stated that he only started selling them two years ago. He made the decision to sell them after he won the world record. He spent lots of time developing it for his needs, getting the decibel levels down and filing the patent claims.

Lori asked him if he had a patent on it, and Greg confirmed that he did. Robert asked him how many he has sold, and Greg told him 7,000 units in two years, which equates to $55,000. Mark laughed and said that Greg wasn’t the smartest man in the world after all. Greg agreed that he wasn’t the best business person, but he was an excellent fisherman.

Daymond asked him where he has been selling the product. Greg said that he sells them at fisherman’s trade shows. He told the Sharks that h makes each one himself in his basement. He stated that he just graduated above that. He has the product trademarked. Lori asked if that was the retail packaging for the product. She pointed to the display case, which Greg told her that he made himself. Greg directed their attention the plastic bags that contained the product as well as instructions.

Mark said that he was not an entrepreneur yet, He was still trying to figure it all out. Greg confirmed that this was still the very beginning of his business. Kevin said that there are already distributing to fisherman’s shops. He asked Greg if it would be better to license the product to one of the larger, well-known distributors since he was not good at business. Kevin also mentioned the lack of packaging and distribution.

Daymond said that the product would be better suited to an infomercial since most people would not grasp the concept. Robert asked if it was part of the problem. Before Greg could answer, Lori said that you have to hear it shaking to understand the acoustics. Greg told the Sharks that he was not prepared to market it for retail yet, so there is not a problem with his sales.

Mark asked how much he was selling if for, and what the cost is per unit. He told them that he sells the 5 oz product at $6.49 retail price, and it cost $2.50 to produce. Mark said that he was going to make the same offer he made to a similar company. $80,000 in exchange for 33%. He said that Greg would still be developing the product, but his other investment would handle the distribution. Greg wanted to see what the other offers were before he shook on it. Robert and Daymond went right out. Kevin spoke up and said that he also had an offer. Mark groaned and told Greg that if he listened to Kevin’s offer, he was out. Kevin stated that his offer might be much better, trying to entice Greg away from Mark’s offer. Kevin said that he could sell the rights to a larger company, and Greg could just get a paycheck every month. He stated that ShellBobber is good, but still a small business. Mark warned Greg that he was falling into the “Mr. Wonderful” trap. Greg would have to make a decision, and fast.

Greg struggled to make a decision as the Sharks taunted him, and tempted him to go one way or the other. Kevin said that the kind of opportunity that he was offering only comes around once in a lifetime. It seemed like he was offering Greg wealth beyond what he could imagine.After a moment of hesitation, Greg told Mark that he would take the deal. They shook on it. Kevin stated that he made a mistake by not seeing how much cash he could have earned him. Greg looked proud of himself as he walked offstage.

World Record Striper Company in 2025 – The After Shark Tank Update

Appearing on Shark Tank brought World Record Striper Company into the national spotlight, providing them with an invaluable platform to showcase their unique products. Not only did it boost their brand recognition, but it also helped with their credibility within the fishing industry.

Having said that, their journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. Despite the increased visibility and interest generated from their appearance on the show, the World Record Striper Company faced several hurdles in scaling up their operations. For one thing, they needed to invest in advanced manufacturing processes and distribution channels to meet the increased demand for their products.

Nevertheless, the company showed remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of these challenges. They made strategic partnerships and investments to enhance their production capacities and streamline their distribution process. As a result, they were able to significantly increase their product availability across various markets, much to the delight of fishing enthusiasts.

Alas, it wasn’t enough. Due to COVID-19 supply chain issues, they unable to sustain the business and shut down for good in 2020. As of 2025, Greg works as an electrical inspector in Marshfield, MA.

The post World Record Striper Company 2025 Update – What Happened After Shark Tank appeared first on Gazette Review.

            Keri Andrews and Alesia Glidewell are a very talented, very successful female duo who have a vision and an intense passion to drive them towards their goals. Andrews, a former Microsoft program manager, teamed up with fellow Glidewell, a voice actor and on screen actress, to work towards the creation of You Kick Ass.

The basis of their company is this; anyone can be a superhero. With the aid of today’s advancing technology, the two women made it possible for people to generate their very own superhero action figure. The way it works is simple enough and extremely convenient for those who are looking for a clever gift idea or promotional items. Potential customers need only go online in order to generate their super selves. You Kick Ass has a collection of premade body templates that vary in costume type and color, in addition to having a few different hero stances that the figure may be put into. Once all of those details have been decided on by the purchaser, all that is left to do is to send them a picture that they will use to create the head to go on the selected body. Using a 3D color printer, the company is able to manufacture a superhero that looks just like you!

During the launch of their new company, the two women encountered quite a bit of success. With a campaign in place to raise $15k for You Kick Ass, the women actually managed to gather $45k in donations to the company. For a while they did quite well, but later began to encounter some issues. Each figure costs around $60 dollars, which is rather pricy. In addition to the expensive cost, order delivery time can range anywhere between 4-6 weeks after the customer’s photo has been received. By appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank, both Andrews and Glidewell are hoping to strike a deal with one of the Sharks so that they might help lower production costs as well as to establish licensing deals in order to make You Kick Ass a distinctive product.

You Kick Ass During Shark Tank

After introducing themselves (by legal names and superhero aliases), the girls start off by asking the Sharks for $100k for 10% of their company. With the numbers now out of the way, they turn to their display table that showcases quite a few examples of the various stances and costume options that You Kick Ass offers. They then proceed to demonstrate how the designing process works, using Kevin O’Leary’s face as the example, which is really just a few simple steps of choosing the hair, body type, and costume to go along with your face. Curious about just how accurate the facial 3D printing is in relation to uploaded picture, Robert Herjavec asks “How real does it look”? Both entrepreneurs are pleased with this question because hiding underneath their display table is a whole different set of superheroes. Prior to appearing on the show, Andrews and Glidewell transformed the entire panel into their miniature superhero selves. Each of the Sharks appear to be impressed with their action figures, especially Herjavec in particular who is thrilled super speed, which is the superpower that the girls have bestowed upon him.

Once the rest of the Sharks have their superpower and superhero alias, the real questions finally begin. Herjavec begins by asking where the concept for this company was developed. Glidewell explains how she became familiar with the 3D modeling process after working as the character for a video game, and that fascination helped push her towards this creative idea. Additionally, Andrews shares a similar love for technology and thought the idea was brilliant. However, when Herjavec asks them what their sales currently look like, Glidewell admits that they haven’t even hit the market yet and only just finished their funding campaign about a month prior. Lori Greiner then proceeds to ask them if they at least have an estimate on the production cost and the sale price. Each figure costs about $15 dollars to manufacture, but would be sold for $60 dollars. 100 dolls can be printed a day per 3D printer they have, but each printer costs around $45k due to it being relatively new technology. However, the girls managed to buy two used printers for $20k each.

Concerned about competition, Herjavec questions whether or not there are any other companies out there who sell similar products. Despite the fact that there are a few other small companies with a similar product idea, Andrews did extensive market research and felt confident in their brand. According to their studies, the people most likely to purchase their actions figures range from the ages 30-45 years old. This discovery surprised them because they were expecting to be appealing to a younger audience, but found that adults wanted to buy these personalized figures for other adults. Herjavec does believe that they have a creative concept, but wants to know how they plan to grow and stand out in comparison to their fellow competition. According to Andrews, they developed their own software for the 3D color printers which they are currently waiting for a patent on. Since the start of You Kick Ass, both women invested around $120k of their own money into it.

Barbara Corcoran suddenly interrupts the discussion going on to announce that she fails to see the resemblance between herself and her action figure. In fact, none of them appear to be similar to the faces they were modeled after in her opinion. In addition to this issue, the design of the figure looks awkward because of the seam between the neck and head. Andrews attempts to explain that there are some issues with precision because there is only one company that makes 3D color printers, but Corcoran tells them that precision is key when it comes to making sales and so refuses to invest until the flaws have been fixed. Herjavec on the other hand, has a completely different opinion.

He likes the idea and sees the potential for the company to grow, and so offers to give them $100k for 25% of the business. Before making a decision to accept his offer, they ask if any of the other Sharks have deals they want to make. O’Leary puts up an offer of $100k, but he will take $10 dollars from every unit sold until he has been compensated for his investment, then his royalty will drop to $2.50 dollars per unit sold. Following that offer, Mark Cuban tells them that he will invest the $100k for 10% so long as they give him an answer right away. After a brief second of discussion, the women decide to go ahead and accept Cuban’s offer.

You Kick Ass Now in 2025 – After Shark Tank

You Kick Ass took an interesting turn after their Shark Tank appearance. For one thing, they experienced a considerable surge in both popularity and sales; the exposure granted by the show had resulted in a massive increase in orders for their custom-made superhero action figures.

However, this sudden success posed a new challenge for the small business – they struggled to meet the high demand. The production process, from 3D printing to painting and packaging, was time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Despite these challenges, You Kick Ass managed to scale up its operations and even expanded their product line. They introduced new items such as custom superhero posters and trading cards. But as the initial buzz from Shark Tank started to fade, sales began to slow down. The company had to continually innovate and market their products to stay relevant in the competitive market.

Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, You Kick Ass couldn’t maintain its momentum. By 2017, according to their Facebook page updates, they had ceased operations and closed down their website. While the exact reasons for the closure remain unknown, it is speculated that the company was unable to sustain profitability or secure additional funding for expansion.

The story of You Kick Ass after Shark Tank is a testament to the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurial ventures. It also highlights the importance of scalability and long-term sustainability in business. Despite their eventual closure, You Kick Ass serves as an inspiration for future entrepreneurs with its innovative concept and initial success post-Shark Tank appearance.

The post You Kick Ass Shark Tank Update – 2025 Updates appeared first on Gazette Review.

As a dog owner, Blake St. Clair wanted an easier way to take his dog out camping and traveling that did not involve taking a full diaper bag full of products with him. Instead of having to carry a bag of dog food, a water bottle, treats, and a waste bag. He developed Barkem’s To Go to make the traveling pet owner’s life easier. Let’s see if the Sharks will take a bite out of this idea.

Barkem’s To Go on Shark Tank

Blake St. Clair walked out into the shark tank with his yellow lab in tow. He said that he was the creator of the First full serving meal for dogs. He wanted $100,000 in exchange for a 51% stake in his company. Mark look disgusted, and for good reason. This did not leave Blake with much room to negotiate. Lakeside that most Americans love their animals, and travel with them everywhere.

However, there is not an easy way to feed animals on the go. Robert looks distracted from the presentation, as he stared at the dog. Blake wanted to know why they would travel with Bulls, bags, water, as well as dry food. Blake said that he had the perfect solution within his product, Barkem’s To Go. Blake was confident that it was the first-ever prepackaged meal designed for dogs. Each unit has different sections, which contained different amounts of food, as well as Vitamin enhanced water, and a treat for later. Kevin looked confused.

Daymond shut his eyes and looked completely done with the presentation. Blake continued, however, saying that the traveling pet owner would like to have this convenience. He stated that there is a market for Barkem’s To Go, and it’s just waiting to be on every shelf in the supermarket. As he spoke, his yellow lab ate from the container. Barbara commented that it looked messy. Robert said that a large dog, like the yellow lab, would make a mess out of a container such as that one. Blake said that’s why he marketed different sizes for different dogs.

Barbara asked him if it was the small medium or large dog that they were watching now, and Blake touched his dog on the back and said he was a large one. The Sharks burst out laughing. Barbara stated that he didn’t understand what she was asking. Mark asked if that was the packaging for a larger dog.

Robert wants to know if he could see the dog. And Daymond to ask what the dog’s name was. Blake told them both that the name was rummy. Has Robert called the dog over to him, Barbara asked again if that size was for the large dog? Link explained that it was actually for the medium dog. The larger one would have a larger package. Robert invited Barbara to pet large dog. As Daymond left. Mark asked Blake if it was Lunchables for a pet. Blake confirmed that it was.

Mark asked if it could apply to other pets as well. Kevin wants to know why he wouldn’t just take a baggie with dried food in it and take it with him. He wanted to know what the difference was, and what value he was bringing to the packaging. Blake said that you could easily do that. Kevin asked him what value he was bringing, and how he was solving a problem at all. Kevin stated that the product probably has no Market whatsoever.

Blake said that the value was that you didn’t have to travel with all of the extra stuff. Kevin stated that he could just come by and two different flavors of the dog food in the bag and let the dog eat out of the bag. Blake let him know that his product was not for everyday use, but rather for a weekend or a vacation.

He brought up camping. Kevin was questioning the viability of the entire idea and said that there is zero value to it. Robert stated that he had a dog and that it wasn’t a bad idea. Daymond to ask if the idea was patented. Blake said it was, and he also trademarked the name. Robert wanted to confirm that he had a patent on it, and Barbara piped in saying that it was pending.

Robert stated that he liked the idea because traveling with a pet was a pain in the butt. He stated that he also like the idea for a large food company, which could use the packaging as another way to package their products. He asked if Blake had made any of the sales calls on that. Blake told him that he tried to contact a few pet food vendors, but hadn’t gotten anywhere with his research. Kevin said that was because it was a worthless idea. Mark told Blake that he could just kick Kevin in the head. Blake said that he presented bar comes to hundreds of people, and not anyone has stated that it was a word that I worthless idea. Robert told me the dog to kill Kevin.

Kevin said that now he knew the truth. Blake told Kevin that many people had said that they would buy it themselves. Daymond wanted to know if anyone had bought it yet. Make informed him that it was a prototype, so he was in the pre-revenue stages of his business. Blake said that it had never been for sale, and it hasn’t been marketed yet. Barber want to know what the stores would sell the unit for, and Blake told her that it would sell for between $2.50 to $3 a package.

Barbara followed up, ask him how much it cost him to make it. Blake told her it cost $0.64 to make the box for Barkem’s To Go. Daymond to ask if that was including the food, but Blake said that the food would have to be licensed through a food company as the ultimate design.

Kevin said that the idea had absolutely no merit and not to quit his day job. He went out. Blake thank him. Kevin asked what he was thinking him for, and Barbara told him that Blake was well-mannered.  Mark said it was evident the Blake was early in the company, and there’s a lot of work to be done. He stated that he didn’t think he could help Blake, and went out.

Daymond wants to know what the patent was for. Blake told him that the patent was on the design of the product, and the Utility Patent would follow. He said that he had to have the financing to do that. He stated that once the product was fully protected, then he could extend it to other animals. Daymond asked if he thought that he could get a Utility Patent just by putting dog food in a container like that. Blake told him that the utility patents would be able to be obtained. Blake said that that was the truth, but Kevin said that he didn’t think that was possible. I told Blake that it was too soon for him, but he liked the idea, and his dog’s name was Blake. He went out.

Barbara told Blake that she didn’t think that there is an issue with putting dried food and a bag. She’s done it with her dog for the day, and then she uses the same bag to clean up after him. She told him that he was trying to solve a problem that did not exist, and she went out. Blake tries to say that $2.50, he didn’t see how it wouldn’t just be a convenience. Robert told Blake that he had animals, and thought it was a great idea. Robert said that it was way too early for him to invest.

He told Blake that he needed to get the food license, and he could do that on his own. Robert said he loved the dog but was out for the business. Mark let him know that everyone was out, and it was time to leave the stage. Like ask for his dog back, but Robert said that he couldn’t have him because we love him. Blake grinned, and asked if he could have $100,000 and exchange for 51% of the dog. Daymond got mad and asked if he was selling the dog. But Robert told him that he was joking. Blake took the leash from Robert and left the stage.

In his exit interview, Blake said that he felt like he put too much time into the product for them to call it worthless and pointless. Blake said he didn’t feel that way. He stated that bar comes would be the next great pet innovation. Blake indicated that it would be on every sales shelf soon.

Barkem’s To Go Now in 2025 – The After Shark Tank Update

The exposure from the show was a game-changer for Barkem’s. The company received an overwhelming response from pet owners across the nation who were thrilled to see a solution for their travel woes with pets.

While the Sharks didn’t invest in the business during the show, Barkem’s managed to garner enough attention to boost their business significantly. The Barkem’s website also saw a surge in traffic and their products started flying off the shelves. They began receiving bulk orders from pet stores and online marketplaces, which helped them generate considerable revenue.

They were also able to leverage the exposure they received on the show to their advantage. Not only that but they also continued their marketing efforts, highlighting the convenience and ease their products brought to traveling with pets. Customer testimonials also played a significant role in promoting the brand as users shared their positive experiences with the product.

In addition to its product sales, Barkem’s also expanded its product line to include additional items that cater to pets’ needs while traveling.

However, their success didn’t last long. Despite their efforts, they eventually found themselves in lack of funds, and in 2015, their website went dark. As of 2025, they are no longer in business.

The post Barkem’s To Go 2025 Update – What Happened After Shark Tank appeared first on Gazette Review.

Judy Abrahams created the Super Potty Trainer. Like many parents, she experienced trouble potty training her daughter, who was scared of falling in. The entire situation was so frustrating that Judy eventually quit her paralegal job to stay home- and it was then that she came up with a solution to the problem.

She eventually invented the Super Potty Trainer, a training tool that comes with an adjustable back support, for her daughter. Made of silicone, the tool is placed on the toilet rim after it’s lifted up and will help prevent movement. Not only will it not slip, but it’s also designed to grow with your child as the back support is fully adjustable.

A huge success, it made the potty training process a breeze.

Fast forward several years and she decided to bring the product to the market. Investing her own money, she began the production process in 2015 with 400 units, 383 of which were sold. However, the business eventually slowed down for a few years. In the end, it wasn’t until she moved to New Hampshire, that things started to pick up again.

For one thing, that’s where she met her local business partner Christopher Guerrera. An experienced entrepreneur, he has worked with several Shark Tank businesses, including Drop Stop, Squatty Potty, ReadeRest, and Scrub Daddy. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that he helped land them a spot on Shark Tank.

Their goal? To land an offer with a shark, who will hopefully help them amp up their sales.

Super Potty Trainer On Shark Tank

Judy and Chris surprise everyone by entering the tank in royal gowns- they even have crowns on their heads. The former introduces herself as “The Queen of Potty Training” while the latter describes himself as “The King of Manufacturing.” He lets the sharks know that they’re seeking $300,000 in exchange for 10 percent of their company, the Super Potty Trainer.

Chris then begins their pitch by saying that potty training can be a stressful and messy experience for both the parent and the child. Holding up a couple of traditional potty training tools, he says they’re no good and introduces the Super Potty Trainer instead.

The camera zooms out of their display as he tells the sharks it’s “the perfect training device to quickly and safely potty train your child.”

Demonstrating how it works, Judy holds up a blue Super Potty Trainer and places it on their demo toilet after lifting up the seat. She then puts the seat back down. Continuing, she explains that the training device has a steady back support that allows the child to sit directly on the toilet. She also adds that it has nonskid pads that make the entire thing adjustable.

She eventually finishes their pitch by saying that it will help parents potty train their child in no time, With that, the two take off their royal gowns to reveal their Super Potty Trainer t-shirts.

Robert immediately says it’s a great idea. Judy is noticeably excited at his comment. He then asks whether or not the baby’s back will push the training tool back. Judy says no and reiterates the fact that the training device has nonskid pads. Walking back over to the demo, she slides the Super Potty Trainer forward on the toilet and emphasizes the fact that it doesn’t move. She also adds that it grows with the child as it’s adjustable.

Daymond also says it’s a cool idea. Mark agrees.

Lori goes on to ask how she came up with the product. Judy explains that she was trying to potty train her young daughter back in 2012 and that she had left her job to do so. The sharks are shocked. Continuing, Judy says that her daughter was scared of falling into the toilet, which prevented her from going.

Robert says he understands the struggle. He tells her his young daughter is deathly afraid of the same thing and agrees that the entire process can be very stressful. Judy nods and says that when young children are afraid, they end up holding it in. Robert reveals that’s what happened to his daughter.

Judy also reveals that her daughter told her she would sit on the toilet if she sat on the toilet with her. Sitting down on the demo toilet, she says she ended up sitting on the toilet with her daughter sitting in front of her so that her stomach became her back support and that it had proved to be successful.

Kevin asks if it worked because she was there with her daughter. Judy says yes, but tells them that she acknowledged the fact that she can’t be on the toilet with her the entire day. The sharks laugh. Explaining that she’s a legal assistant, Judy says she did all the legal research and eventually filed for a patent, which she actually brought into the tank with her.

Seconds later, Lori asks Chris about his background. He explains “he’s a guy that came out of corporate America” who has patents for Ford Motor Company and ran BMW plants. Continuing, he tells the sharks that he helps the company on the manufacturing side and emphasizes the fact that they can do everything in the United States. He also reveals that their cost for the product is $2.30.

Lori is impressed. Chris also reveals that they can get it to below $2 with a higher volume.

Kevin asks them about their sales. Chris tells him they launched this March and that they’ve had “lots of good sales volume with a big, big box.” Asked who it is, he reveals that they’ve been selling the Super Potty Trainer at Walmart. With further prompting from Kevin, he reveals that they did 65,000 in sales within six months.

Mark asks how many stores they are in. Chris tells him just under 400. The sharks seem disappointed. Robert even remarks that “that’s not exciting.”

Lori wonders what their packaging looks like and asks to see it. Chris tells her that the Super Potty Trainer comes in a display box. Kevin, however, reminds him to stay with the numbers. He also tells them they’re not worth $3 million.

Chris and Judy immediately defend themselves by saying that they’re not done telling them the numbers yet. Continuing, Chris tells them that Walmart has agreed to carry them through next spring and that they have made a commitment to put the product in 4,800 stores, which he explains, is a P.O. of $1.1 million. He also tells them that Menards has made a commitment to them to put the product in 350 stores across the country.

Daymond confirms whether or not they have a $1.1 million purchase order. Chris says they are in the talks of it.

The sharks are concerned about the lack of actual sales, which prompts Kevin to once again disagree with the company’s valuation.

Robert asks about Walmart’s commitment. Chris tells him that everyone’s sales were flat completely for two months due to the pandemic. Kevin disagrees and says many online businesses thrived during that time.

Chris reveals the terms of Walmart’s commitment and says they agreed to carry their products in all of their stores into the new year if sales continue to grow the way they’re growing. Kevin asks if the deal is still in discussion or if it’s finalized. Chris says that “it’s real” but Kevin notes that the P.O. isn’t.

Daymond asks about the sellthrough for Walmart and Chris tells him 356 stores, which is 600 units a month. Daymond is immediately concerned as that translates to two units a month. Daymond notes that it’s an incredibly lower number and questions whether or not there is an issue with their advertising.

As if on cue, the camera turns to their display, which shows a toddler using the Super Potty Trainer while reading a book. Daymond remarks that he’s never seen a child do that before on the toilet. The rest of the sharks burst out in laughter. Lori notes that it’s cute and Daymond agrees but he feels that it may send a confusing message to potential customers.

Chris tells them that the customer feedback “has been pretty strong.”

Mark likes the product idea and admits that potty training his son was difficult. However, he’s concerned with the valuation they gave the company as they’ve only been on the market for a short period with minimal sales. Noting that it will be a challenge for them, he goes out.

Kevin tells Chris to explain the situation to him again as he’s baffled why they’re pricing the product on potential commitments from Walmart. He tells them their valuation is “nuts” and that they’re never going to agree on the number and also goes out.

Kevin feels the same way. He tells them they came into the tank too early and are asking too much and for that reason also goes out.

Daymond questions whether or not they did their homework as their valuation is too off. Judy says they did but it doesn’t convince Daymond as they literally have no sales. While he believes it’s a great product, he feels “they’re charging them for the future”. Judy asks him to make them an offer, but Daymond disagrees as he feels it would insult their valuation. He subsequently asks about their inventory numbers. Chris tells him they currently have 3,500. Daymond immediately points out that it’s a problem as it implies they weren’t able to market those in the months after COVID.

He tells them he may decide to go in with Lori aka “The Queen of Poo” if she decides to make them an offer.

Lor asks if he really means that and suggests they go in 50/50. Continuing, she says she will only feel comfortable doing it for 50 percent of the company. Daymond agrees.

Kevin advises them to take their offer as it’s “better than nothing.” Robert agrees that it’s a great offer.

Lori reiterates their deal and says they can help them with the licensing aspects.

Judy and Chris agree seconds later. The rest of the sharks congratulate them. Lori jokes that they’ve now made Daymond the “King of Poo”.

Judy is overwhelmed with emotions as she exits the tank. She reveals that she has struggled financially for a long time and that their $300,000 investment will help immensely with their company.

Super Potty Trainer Now in 2025 – The After Shark Tank Update

As far as we can tell, the deal with Daymond and Lori never closed. Being in the tank, however, did give them a bit of exposure, which helped with their sales, though the exact figures have not been released.

Fast forward to 2025 and the Super Potty Trainer is still in business. Currently, it goes for $12.98 on their official website and is available in several different colors including blue, lilac, and pink. It’s worth noting, however, that they only ship to the contiguous United States (shipping and taxes are calculated upon checkout).

Despite what Chris said on the show, however, there are no mentions of Walmart’s commitment anywhere on their site.

Having said that, the product does have positive ratings on Amazon, where it was sold for a short period (it’s no longer available on the site as of this post). For example, many parents praised the Super Potty Trainer for being safe and easy to use. Several people have also commented that the training device is stable and doesn’t move on the toilet. Not only that, but many customers are happy that the product is made in the USA.

Some people, however, have had issues where the training device doesn’t fit their toilet properly, which leaves a gap. In response, the company created a compatibility page on its website, which explains what types of toilets can be used with the Super Potty Trainer.

For those who are interested in getting the Super Potty Trainer, you can make an order on their official website at superpottytrainer.com.

The post Super Potty Trainer After Shark Tank – 2025 Update appeared first on Gazette Review.

BEERMKR is a home beer-making kit that was created by Aaron Walls and Brett Vegas. The two initially started the company, then called BrewJacket, as a class project with a few others while attending Cornell University for their MBAs. They realized that there was a big hole in the market and decided to do something about it themselves. The goal was to make an “idiot-proof” homebrewing machine that’s small enough not to take up space on the kitchen counter and easy enough for the most basic homebrewer to use.

It took them several years of research and development but the project eventually moved forward. However, they soon found themselves in need of funds. They subsequently launched a Kickstarter campaign, which successfully raised more than $398,000, which helped bring the beer brewing kit to life. With that, they were able to finally begin the manufacturing process.

And by the holiday season of 2020, they had started to ship out the first units, all of which came with detailed instructions for the brewing process.

It was during that same year that they decided to pitch their product on Shark Tank on a whim. The whole process took several months as there were multiple auditions involved but they were eventually invited to California to film for the show. Their segment was later included in season twelve, which aired in 2021.

BEERMKR On Shark Tank

Aaron and Brett introduce themselves as soon as they’re in the tank. They let the sharks know they’re seeking $500,000 in exchange for 2 percent in their company, BEERMKR. The sharks immediately respond to the high valuation.

They immediately jump into their pitch by talking about ice-cold craft beer. However, Brett notes that people aren’t making their own beer at home because it’s not easy. Aaron adds that it takes a lot of time, experience, and expertise and that sometimes it can take several weeks just for the final product to taste terrible. Gesturing toward the table beside them, they explain that that’s why they created the BEERMKR.

Continuing, they tell the sharks that it’s the world’s first all-in-one countertop craft-brewing appliance that anybody can use. The sharks are seemingly excited about the product, especially Mark who is all smiles.

Aaron and Brett demonstrate how the appliance works as they want them to know “just how easy it is to use.” Opening the front of the BEERMKR, Brett explains that you start by connecting the bag to the machine. From there, you open it all up and pour the grain inside. The next step is to fill the entire machine with water, close the lid, and press the button on the front. Over the next 24 hours, the BEERMKR will then bring the temperature up inside the machine, and mash the grains and liquid together to create wort, a sugary liquid.

He explains that the machine will also send a notification to your phone when the process is finished and it’s time to add in the yeast. To do that, you simply have to open the machine and pull out the basket of spent grain. From here, you can put in your yeast and hops. All that’s left then is to close the machine back up and press the button on the front.

Brett explains that over the next five to seven days, the BEERMKR will automatically control the pressure and temperature inside the unit and that when the process is finished, it’ll send another notification telling you to tap your beer. To do that, Brett explains, you have to remove the bag of clean fermented beer, bring it over to the beer tap, which is included in the package, install the bag of beer inside the beer tap, screw in the CO2 cartridge that comes with the kit, and that cold, carbonated beer will be ready a day later.

Kevin asks whether or not the entire process takes nine days. Brett says it depends on the recipe as they’re all different. Kevin is quick to say that there’s a problem with that but the other sharks disagree.

Before they talk about the valuation, Brett invites the sharks to try some of their beer.

Before she goes up for a sample, however, Lori asks about the number of beers that the machine can make. Brett says it makes a 12-pack of beer and that each MKR kit cost $15.

With that, the sharks begin to taste the beers, starting with their Future IPA. Guest shark Alex notes that it has a bite to it while Lori says she likes the taste. Next, they try the Ghost Wheat and Redwood IPA. Kevin likes the latter and gives it a 9 out of 10, but states once again that he disagrees with their valuation.

Aaron and Brett reassure him that they will talk about their valuation late.r

Next, the sharks try the Chubby Stout, which Lori really likes.

Barbara asks the pair how they got into the home brewing business. Aaron tells her they both love beer and that he himself, has been a home brewer for 15 years. He tells her they met at Cornell University, where they were in business school together, and that they had actually started the company as an assignment for their entrepreneurship class.

Mark asks them to break down the numbers for him. Aaron tells him the BEERMKR costs $375 to make and that they sell it for $499. Mark asks if the price includes the first batch of consumables and they tell him yes. Seconds later, he questions their pricing as “there’s no margin.”

Brett explains that they actually have two revenue streams: the machine and the MKR kit, and that their price is low because they want as many people as possible to have the machine at home. Mark says it’s fine and notes that they’re going into the consumables. Continuing, Aaron says it costs them $9 to $10 per ingredient kit and that at scale, they can get it down to $7 per kit.

Mark asks if they have a subscription model or if the customers just reorder. Brett says they’re encouraging their users to go into a subscription system. Asked how much it costs, they tell him it’s $15 per 12-pack.

Barbara asks about the retention rate of their subscriptions. Aaron reveals they’re not there yet, which makes Kevin question if they’re shipping the product yet. Aaron says yes. Before he can continue, Brett takes over and says they did a Kickstarter in 2018 and that they’re currently delivering 1,200 of those units in the next two weeks.

Kevin asks how many units they’ve shipped so far. Aaron tells him they’ve shipped about 24 units so far, which makes Kevin once again question their valuation. The other sharks laugh.

Mark asks how much money they managed to raise for the business. They tell him they’ve raised about $3 million so far. Barbara notes that it makes no sense to her as they have virtually no sales and no proof of concept, and immediately goes out.

Brett defends by saying they do have a proof of concept as they sold 1,000 units in one month via Kickstarter.

Barbara, however, doesn’t like the fact that they haven’t delivered any of the products yet as that means they haven’t received any customer feedback.

While Lori likes the taste of the beer, she agrees with Barbara on how the product is not yet in the consumers’ hands. Noting the uncertainty in the business, she goes out.

Mark feels what they’re doing is “right on” but is concerned with their margins as they’re so low. He also says it will be expensive for them to retain customers and that even if their valuation is correct, it will be hard for them to generate enough profits to give him a return. Citing those reasons, he also goes out.

Aaron immediately tries to address the issues that he pointed out, however, he is quickly shut down by Barbara, who reiterates the fact that he’s out.

Guest shark Alex goes on to offer them some advice; he tells them they have to make the business attractive for them as investors to make money. He goes on to criticize their high valuation, which he says, immediately turned five of them off. Citing that “he doesn’t know what [they] don’t know”, he also goes out.

With that, everyone looks at Kevin, who is the only shark remaining. He makes everyone laugh by saying that he is a reasonable man who likes to give to entrepreneurs. He also praises the taste of their beer, which the other sharks agree to. Calling himself an alcohol connoisseur, he makes everyone laugh again by saying that his inner instinct is to eviscerate them. However, he tells them that he won’t. Rather, he wants to encapsulate their “ridiculous valuation” but still be partners with them.

Mark immediately suggests royalties. To everyone’s surprise, however, he pushes that idea aside. Instead, he offers them $500,000 at nine percent interest as well as four percent equity. He tells them they should be able to afford the debt if they have the numbers that they say they do.

Mark says it’s not a bad deal.

Kevin tells them to “seriously consider it” as they’re not going to get an offer from anybody else.

Aaron thinks about it for a second before countering with two percent equity.

Kevin says he’ll meet them at the middle at three percent.

Aaron reveals they’re very worried about the working-capital implications of his offer. Kevin says they will never agree with the valuation and do not want to fight them on it.

Alex jumps in and says $500,000 at 9 percent interest is $3,750 a month. He asks if they feel they can cover that amount. Before they can reply, however, both Kevin and Alex notes that it’s not a lot of money.

Aaron says they can cover the $3,750 a month but that they may have issues paying back the $500,000 afterward. Kevin defends his pitch by saying that they will have a partner that millions of people know.

After thinking about it for a moment, the friends ultimately decline Kevin’s offer, saying that they’re not comfortable with the debt portion.

BEERMKR Now in 2025 – The After Shark Tank Update

The day their segment aired, they launched a crowdfunding campaign on Start Engine, which promised perks to those who contributed including gift cards and bonuses. With the help of 106 investors, they were eventually able to raise more than $129,000, which helped to move the manufacturing process forward.

As of 2025, BEERMKR is still in business. While they don’t have any beer-brewing machines that are ready to ship (they are currently sold out), they do have a waitlist for those who are interested in making a purchase.

According to their website, their next inventory refresh will be in the summer of 2023. Those who would like to join the waitlist can do so by clicking on the yellow “Notify Me When Available” button on their product page. And like before, each machine also comes with one BEERTAP, Brewing Enzymes, Clarifier, and MKRKIT of your choice.

There are currently six types to choose from:

Future IPA: Contains huge amounts of Mosaic, El Dorado, and Citra for citrus and tropical aromatics. Grain-to-glass time of nine days. ABV of 6.3 percent.

Chubby Stout: Notes of oak and cherry due to the combo of dark roast malt and caramels. Grain-to-glass time is twelve days. ABV of 7.3 percent

Ghost Wheat: Very clean wheat ale with a lemon focus. Grain-to-glass time of around ten days. ABV of 5.3 percent

Squeaky Kolsch: A summer seasonal that features a very light body with a classic aromatic profile. Grain-to-glass time is ten days. ABV of 5.3 percent

Redwood IPA: Copper body with resinous and piny hops. Grain-to-glass time is 12 days. ABV of 7.8 percent

Summer Seltzer: Summer seasonal that’s great for the pool. ABV of 4.6 percent.

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Surfing is a fun activity that many people enjoy and it has been done for thousands of years. As early as 5,000 years ago people in Peru were surfing in Kayak-like water crafts and they surfed back to shore after a hard day’s work. Surfing has changed since then. The boards are now a lot more aerodynamic and the surfboard is more of a sports tool than a tool for fishing.

The Clark Family which consists of John Clark, His wife, Manya Clark, and their daughters Juliette Clark, Alleana Clark, and Lyla Clark liked to surf and they surfed as a family on the beaches of California where they resided and anywhere else where they could. They saw that although the surfboards available at the time were great, they could be improved upon.

That was why the family got creative and they created the Tandem Boogie. The Tandem Boogie is a surfboard that can be used by 2 people at a time making it ideal for family use. It also has a mounted camera so it can also record fun moments.

The Tandem Boogie had gotten off to a good start but still needed some help and that was what made the Clark Family turn to the Shark Tank for help. They were on the 12^th episode of the 17^th season.

Tandem Boogie on Shark Tank

The Clark Family went to the Shark Tank seeking $100,000 for 10% of the business giving it a valuation of $10,000,000. Manya, John, Juliette (Juju), Alleana, and Lyla Clark went to the Shark Tank and started their presentation by telling the sharks how they enjoyed going to the beach as a family and they wanted to catch waves on the same board. They then showed how the Tandem Boogie was going to usher in the next generation of surfboards thanks to its interactive design.  They then invited them to the sharks to try the board.

Robert was then specifically asked if he wanted to try the tandem boogie. Robert then went to try it and as he did, he confirmed where he would hold it. Lori asked if the board could handle 2 adults side by side without a problem, and if she watched the video once more she would see that they were side by side. By then, Robert had got back to his seat and he said that it was super fun and that it felt very solid.

Lori said that it looked very fun and she was happy that it was a big family but she was curious as to who was running the business. Anya said that it was run by the whole group and every one of them had their own job. She was in charge of manufacturing and operations. She was also in charge of operations and the website.

John said that he was in charge of manufacturing and also in charge and social media. Juliette said that she was the chief fun officer and she made sure that their brand stayed in line with their vision and she was also the creative director. Lyla said that he was in charge of merchandising. Alleana said that she was in charge of community outreach and also making sure that everybody gets their jobs done. She then added that she was the oldest sister

Daniel said that he was moved by their unity. He then asked their mother Manya if she consciously designed something that she could involve her whole family with. Juliette said that she grew up in Sacramento California and they participated in so many water activities. Juliette then showed the sharks a picture of all 5 of them on a paddle board.

Lori then asked them if they had a background in the profession. Manya then said that she used to believe that anything her husband could sell she could make. She went to the United States as a refugee. However, by the time she was 21, she had a degree in industrial engineering. She was working in a big corporation in manufacturing so she knew how to make products

She then said that her husband John was a salesperson and when their daughter Juliette was 6 months old, they decided to start a business. They started a shelving business and it went very well.  Their main goal when they started the business was to have time to spend with their family. The business had been a success and they were still running it. They did about $500,000 in sales annually.

Daniel asked them what their cost of manufacture was and he was told that the landed cost was $150. He was then told that they sold for $459. Kevin said that the idea of packaging it and selling it as something portable as an all-in-one fun idea was very unique. He then said that to him the selling proposition was that their product could be put in the back of a truck and then taken to the beach which was fun.

Kevin said that he knew that there were other products like that in the market so they needed the fun proposition. Lori told Kevin not to be such a killjoy. John said that what was unique about their product was its dynamic air design and they had perfected it. Kevin then asked if there was anyone else who had done what they had done. John said that they had consulted with an attorney and they did file for a utility patent for the design.

Robert asked them what the patent was for and he was told that it was for the location of the handles and a camera mount. Mark Cuban asked them how the sales worked. Juliette said that the Covid-19 pandemic had made them switch towards selling online but they ended up doing a Kickstarter Campaign for one month and they did $43,000 in sales.

Robert then asked them if all their money was from Kickstarter. Juliette said $31,000 was from the Kickstarter and that was between June and July. Robert then confirmed that they were brand new and he was told that they were brand new. Kevin said that if the average boogey board was around $59-79. He asked them if they got pushback for selling the boogey board. Alleana said that it was comparable to low-cost surfboards and it had the advantage of being used by 2 people.

Robert asked them if they had taken their boards to surf shops and to places where people rent. John said that part of their sales came from where people rented the boards. Robert then asked them if they had tried selling them to retail stores. John said that part of their sales came from the 4 retail stores that were carrying their product.

Robert then asked them what they needed the money for and what they needed a shark for. John said that there was opportunity for Tandem Boogie to grow. They wanted to have 25 accounts by the end of the year so that they could have $300,000 in sales that year and they thought that it was a realistic target by the end of the year.

Robert asked them how they would get there by the end of the year if their biggest challenge was distribution. Robert said that people would buy the product if they saw it. John said that he knew how to set up dealers and how to set up accounts.  He would set them up personally. Mark Cuban said that he thought that their biggest source of sales would be online sources and what made it work was their marketing ability.

Mark Cuban said that the business was just not there yet and for that reason, he was out. Lori then left and she said that although she liked the product, she just knew that there were better sharks than her for the product. Kevin said that he thought it would be very hard to be making it a $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 business and for that reason, he was out.

Robert liked the product and said that he had worked with a hard board business that had been pitched on Shark Tank before. He then offered them the $100,000 but said that he was not fine with 10%. He asked them to tell him how much he thought he wanted. John asked him if he would be doing the deal alone or if Robert would ask for the help of another shark.

Daniel said that he was interested in partnering with Robert but he would want 25%. Robert said that 25% was not enough and it would take a long time and work to make the business a success. He said that he was willing to partner with Daniel if they gave $100,000 for 35%. Juliette asked him if he was willing to meet in the middle at 30%.

Robert said that he was not ready to do that. The Clark family then accepted the offer. Manya said that Robert and Daniel were a perfect fit for their company because they came to the United States as immigrants and made their American dream come true and that was what she was hoping for.

Tandem Boogie Now in 2025 – The After Shark Tank Update

So Tandem Boogie partnered with Robert and Daniel and the tandem Boogie is now being sold online on its website. The Tandem Boogie is also available on Amazon among other retailers which indicates an increase in sales. It has a 4-star rating on Amazon which indicates that it is a major success.

The Tandem Boogie had a major distribution problem when it was on the Shark Tank and its presence in a major online retail outlet would indicate a major increase in sales. The company is called Tandm Surf now and it has over 1,500 followers on Facebook.

Tandem Surf has its own competition the Tandem Boogie Board Competition which was started in 2019. Tandm Surf is still located in California and its annual revenue is not yet disclosed but all signs point to it being in a much better place now than it ever was.

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