- A young Chicago entrepreneur plays hardball with the sharks.
- Kevin O'Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin Harrington, Daymond John, and Robert Herjavec were the panel of investors on the show.
One of the entrepreneurs, Jonathan Miller, presented his company called "Element Bars," which specializes in manufacturing custom energy bars. Currently, they produce 1,000 bars per week at their facility. Jonathan sought a $150,000 investment for a 15% stake in his business. The company operates through an online platform where customers can choose the ingredients and labeling for their bars, which are then made and delivered to their doorstep. Element Bars had grossed $50,000 year-to-date. While many of the investors liked Jonathan and his business, Kevin O'Leary and Barbara Corcoran decided not to invest.
Daymond John made an offer of $150,000 for a 75% stake in the company, while Kevin Harrington offered the same amount for a 100% stake in the business along with a 4% royalty to Jonathan. In response, Jonathan countered Daymond's offer at 20%. Robert Herjavec and Daymond John decided not to invest, and Jonathan rejected Harrington's initial offer. However, Harrington came back with a revised offer of $150,000 for a 35% stake and a 4% royalty. Eventually, they agreed on a deal of $150,000 for a 30% stake and a 4% royalty.
In another update, Mr. Todd's Pies, a previous entrepreneur on the show, experienced significant success after the sharks helped him secure a deal with QVC. The pies sold out within minutes, leading to a threefold increase in business since the episode aired.
David Chodoz then presented his invention called "The Fizz," which was a reinvention of the root beer float that could be attached to soda bottles. He sought a $150,000 investment for a 25% stake in the business. David, a toy-maker and habitual inventor, showcased the product to the sharks, and they found it fun and enjoyable. The Fizz had generated $84,000 in sales over the past 12 months, primarily from ice cream stores and state fairs. The ice cream for The Fizz could be provided by the customer or pre-filled by an ice cream manufacturer. However, the larger ice cream companies weren't interested due to low sales potential. Kevin Harrington and Daymond John decided not to invest, and Barbara Corcoran also opted out. Robert Herjavec saw potential in licensing the product to ice cream companies but ultimately chose not to invest. Kevin O'Leary, at the end, decided not to invest for the same reasons.
Buck and Arlene Weimer pitched their product, "Underease Underwear," which was designed to protect against flatulence. They requested a $55,000 investment for a 25% stake in the business. The underwear featured odor control and tight elastics to prevent gas leakage. Over the past 12 months, they had generated $37,000 in sales. Having been in business for eight years, their first-year sales reached $83,000. The market for their product was considered small, leading Robert Herjavec and Daymond John to decline the investment opportunity. Kevin Harrington didn't see enough business potential and also opted out, while Barbara Corcoran preferred wearing sexy underwear and decided not to invest. Kevin O'Leary also declined to invest.
Kimberly Cayce presented her business, "Kalyx," which offered a line of sports bras. As a former professional golfer, Kimberly sought a $125,000 investment for a 20% stake in her company. The business had been in development for three years, with Kimberly investing $100,000 of her own money. The existing sports bras were functional but not aesthetically appealing. The competition included major brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour. Kimberly wanted the investment to fund manufacturing and a direct-to-consumer approach. Kevin Harrington decided not to invest, and Kimberly informed Barbara Corcoran that the payback period for her investment would be at least five years. Barbara also declined to invest, along with Daymond John and Robert Herjavec, as they believed Kimberly needed millions to compete effectively. Consequently, Kevin O'Leary opted out as well.
The final entrepreneurs, Brett Thompson and Heath Hall, presented their barbecue sauce and spice rub company called "Pork Barrel BBQ." They sought a $50,000 investment for a 10% stake in their business. Recently voted the best BBQ sauce in the nation, their estimated revenue for the next 12 months was $4.1 million, with profits exceeding $1 million. Robert Herjavec and Kevin Harrington doubted the accuracy of the estimate, believing that the success of a distribution deal hinged on a pilot program with 10,000 orders. Daymond John opted out, considering the entrepreneurs' political commitments. Barbara Corcoran made an offer of $50,000 for a 50% stake, but Brett countered at 40%, which Barbara accepted, resulting in a deal at 50% ownership.
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