'Shark Tank' Recap: Season 5, Episode 18

This week's episode of Shark Tank features a unique dating service, eco-friendly bamboo cleaning cloths, a fitted sheet and sleeping bag combo for making beds quickly, and a buzzing medical device.

Cheek'd
First into the tank is Lori Cheek, an architect that no longer designs buildings, but builds relationships. She is seeking an investment of $100,000 for a 10 percent stake in her company. She says, “Cheek’d is online dating in reverse. Initial attraction happens face-to-face, while interaction happens online.” She uses business cards with “ice-breaker” pickup lines that you can pass to a stranger that you find attractive. There is an online code at the bottom that the recipient can use to find out more about you. The code leads you to the profile of the person who gave you the card.

Her site has 4,500 active profiles, none of which have paid to be members. Her business has made $56,000 in three years. Mark Cuban thinks she is delusional when she says her business is going to change the population. Robert Herjavec believes that if someone has the courage to hand a stranger a card, they have the courage to ask you out. People like online dating because of the anonymity. None of the Sharks bite on Lori’s deal.

Zipit Bedding

Next up are two sisters that have come up with an easier way to accomplish a dreaded childhood chore with their business "Zipit Bedding." Jennifer MacDonald and Hayley Carr's product is the world’s first hybrid of a sleeping bag and a traditional bed. The bed sheets and comforter are attached by a zipper that a child can use to “zip up” to make their bed. To test the market, they printed and sold 1,000 units with gross sales of $7,500. They had a distribution and licensing deal with a bedding company that they pulled out on last minute. This worries the Sharks, and they soon find out that they do not share the same vision for the company. Jennifer and Hayley leave the tank without a deal.

Bambooee

Up next is a couple, Noam and Irene Krasniansky, that says they have an item that will revolutionize the paper towel industry. Their product “Bambooee” is rewashable and reusable paper towels made from bamboo. They say that “1 roll of Bambooee replaces up to 286 rolls of paper towels.” They also contribute to the environment by planting a tree with every roll they sell. They are asking for a $200,000 investment in exchange for 10 percent equity in their company.

In two years, they have sold a little over $400,000 in gross sales. Kevin O'Leary says bamboo cloth and paper is already available for sale today. Noam explains that they have a proprietary manufacturing process. Bambooee is just one product in their business, “CM National” a company that sells a variety of cleaning products. Irene and Noam let the Sharks know that their entire company is up for sale, and that their business sold $1.6 million last year. This gets the attention of the Sharks.

Kevin shoots them an offer of a $200,000 loan at 8 percent interest plus 10 percent equity in the company. Lori Greiner thinks the product is a “hero” — something she likes to say when she believes a product will succeed. Lori gives them the exact offer thay are looking for: $200,000 for 10 percent. They take the offer and have a deal with the QVC queen.

Update: Kisstixx

In Season 3, best friends Dallas Robinson and Mike Buonomo made a deal with Mark for their business “Kisstixx,” a flavor changing lip balm. They have seen success since the show, landing a distribution deal with Kroger stores. They are currently approaching $2 million in sales.

Buzzy

Last into the tank is Dr. Amy Baxter with her company “Buzzy,” a product that aims to ease the sting out of the dreaded “shot.” After feeling her hands go numb when her steering wheel started vibrating, the proverbial light bulb went off in her head. Vibration to numb a child’s hand or arm before administering a shot. It combines cold and vibration that instantly numbs needle pain. While she can’t guarantee zero pain, studies have concluded that it decreases pain between 50 and 80 percent. She is seeking $500,000 for 5 percent.

She launched in 2009 and this year is on target for $1 million in sales. She has sold 13,000 “Buzzys” in the last twelve months. Barbara Corcoran has already invested in a similar product, and had to invest much more than she initially anticipated. Kevin thinks her $10 million evaluation is absurd, and believes the company is worth $3 million tops. She wants to go into big-box retailers, but Mark and Lori think that’s a bad idea, and that she should go the doctor/hospital route. Kevin offers $500,000 for 20 percent. Amy says that she’s already had people offer that amount, which Mr. Wonderful responds, “Yeah, but they’re not me.” Mark throws out the same offer, but Amy stands her ground and is a firm believer that her company is worth more. While she is grateful for the offers, she declines and leaves the tank without a deal.

Tune in to ABC next Friday at 9PM ET for an all-new Shark Tank.

Image: ABC

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