🍋 1. Jack Bonneau (Jack’s Stands)
- Business: Lemonade stand franchise empowering kid-run businesses.
- Season 8 (2016): Pitched for $50,000 for 10% equity. Only Chris Sacca offered a $50,000 loan at 2% interest, disbursed in $10,000 increments as growth milestones were met .
- Post-Show:
- Expanded to 7 stands, partnered with Good Times restaurants to sell lemonade across Colorado (2018).
- Faced regulatory challenges: A 2019 Colorado law (SB19-103) banned short-term permits for minors, hindering franchising .
- Rebranded as a nonprofit in 2021, partnering with charities to mentor young entrepreneurs .
- Jack later launched TeenHustl (teen package delivery service) and won the 2023 Prudential Emerging Visionary Award. He is now attending Dartmouth College .
👶 2. Cassidy Crowley (The Baby Toon)
- Business: Silicone baby spoon/teether designed to prevent choking hazards.
- Season 11 (2019): Asked for $50,000 for 50% equity. Lori Greiner accepted her exact terms, citing Cassidy’s maturity and product potential .
- Post-Show Success:
- Sales surged from $5,000 pre-show to $100,000 in the first month post-airing .
- Landed a licensing deal with Munchkin, leading to nationwide distribution in Target, Walmart, and Amazon .
- Achieved ~$1 million/year revenue; Cassidy remains involved in product design .
- Memorable Moment: Kevin O’Leary let her sit in his Shark chair after the deal .
💡 Key Insights from Young Entrepreneurs
- Common Challenges: Balancing school with business, regulatory hurdles (e.g., child labor laws), and scalability .
- Success Factors:
- Strategic Partnerships: Cassidy’s deal with Lori Greiner/Munchkin enabled mass retail access .
- Adaptability: Jack pivoted to nonprofit work after legal setbacks .
- Impact: Both inspired youth entrepreneurship; Cassidy emphasized her goal to “show kids they can invent things” .
Comparison of Outcomes
Entrepreneur | Deal Accepted? | Post-Show Revenue | Current Status |
---|---|---|---|
Jack Bonneau | Loan from Sacca | $150K (pre-show) | Nonprofit; focus on college |
Cassidy Crowley | Equity with Lori | ~$1M/year | Sold via major retailers |
These cases highlight how the Sharks supported young innovators while respecting their need to prioritize education. For more details, visit Shark Tank Blog or Looper.
Leave a Reply