BusyBoxSign on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who are the founders, and does the wireless smart sign really work?
Remote working or working from home has become the new norm for most employees, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the idea of working from some might sound like a dream (no more waking up early to beat the traffic, or having to sit next to the nosy co-worker who just can't stop gossiping), the reality isn't as rosy. From having to attend countless zoom meetings to trying to focus in a house full of distractions and interruptions, can seriously sabotage your productivity.
Staying focused and productive at home can be a challenge, but with BusyBoxSign it doesn't have to be. BusyBoxSign is the first wireless smart sign created by Steve Skillings and Conor Smith, to improve your workspace. The entrepreneurs will be pitching their unique digital 'busy' sign on the upcoming episode 19 of 'Shark Tank' Season 13. The duo will be pitching before the Sharks- Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner and Daymond John. Keep reading to know more about BusyBoxSign and the brand's founders.
RELATED ARTICLES
MuteMe on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who are the founders and does the device really work?
ootBox on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who are the founders, and all about portable workspaces
What is BusyBoxSign?
To put it simply, BusyboxSign is an illuminated box that flashes the word "busy" on it. BusyBox comes in two models: BusyBox D is the digital version which allows you to create any message or image on an LCD screen, and BusyBox S is the slide-in sign version that can last all week on a single charge. You can also enjoy a completely digital experience with the BusyBox Button that can be purchased separately, using which you can turn the box on or off remotely. BusyBox comes with a free app that lets you easily turn it on and off, select different background colors, and set light behavior modes, like blinking or fading, if desired.
The brand states, "From work to school to entertainment, our world is quickly shifting to remote processes and home offices. We need to draw the line between personal life and professional life now more than ever. With BusyBox, you can — with a click of a button, tap on your phone, or request from Siri."
Some of the cool features of the BusyBoxSign include:
BusyBox Control app allows you to set on/off, pick light colors, set modes, and group signs together. Control like this never felt so easy.
Sometimes an image is worth a thousand words. Use the App and the BusyBox D to make your message clear, fun, and visual.
BusyBox signs can work alone, or together as part of one team of devices. You decide. Simplify your status control with groups.
Go “hands-free” at home with integrations. You can let your favorite apps control the BusyBox. Link to your Google Calendar or say “Hey Siri, turn on my BusyBox.”
Who are the founders?
Steve Skillings and Conor Smith are the founders of BusyBoxSign. According to Skillings' LinkedIn profile, he holds an MBA degree from Portland State University. He co-founded BusyBoxSign in July 2020, during the pandemic. "I've been building things since I was a kid, I guess that's why I chose Mechanical Engineering. I've always been fascinated with difficult puzzles, I guess that's why I love business. I've worked with and for some amazing, world class companies but my favorites are Toyota and Bose. Their approach and overall passion for building great things inspires me everyday to build great things in my businesses. But more than building things, I love making great, high-performing teams. It's hard to do, and fragile, but always worth trying to build, because once you get there, you can outpace anyone and bring amazing things to the universe. And the universe is always looking for something new to expand its beauty and novelty," he shared on his page.
What is the cost and where to buy BusyBoxSign from?
BusyBox D retails for $229, while BusyBox S is available for $129. You can also purchase the button for $39. All these cool gadgets can be purchased from the brand's website here.
The brand's website is filled with several glowing reviews from its customers. A customer named Jerry R wrote, "You guys read my mind. I’ve wanted something like this for a long time. Cool retro style with modern features at an affordable price. It’s perfect for me. Thanks!” Another customer named Dan Munoz shared, "The MUST-HAVE product for the Father, Mother, Gamer, Musician or Tech Geek in your life! This product wil change the way we communicate for the better!"
Where is BusyBoxSign now?
The brand found instant success on IndieGoGo website when their campaign managed to raise a whopping $332,202 in September 2020. Unfortunately, BusyBoxSign is struggling to fulfill the orders of its backers, due to the global supply chain issues and the global chip shortage. The brand addressed its customers' concerns by putting a statement on its home page, which reads, "Hello BusyBox fan. Due to the Global Chip Shortage we are experiencing ups and downs in production. As we get chips, we build products, but it is incredibly hard to forecast supply. We ship first-ordered, first-delivered, so please feel free to place your order knowing we will get it out just as soon as we can. Thank you for supporting small business through this crazy time!"
Despite the supply chain and production concerns, the brand is still taking pre-orders and trying to deliver BusyBoxSigns at the earliest to its customers.
Who will steal the deal?
We aren't sure if the BusyBoxSign pitch will appeal to any of the Sharks. Although the brand's sales numbers and profit margins will ultimately be the major deciding factor for the Sharks on whether to invest in the business or not. So, we will just have to wait and watch to see how things pan out for Skillings and Smith.
'Shark Tank' Season 13 Episode 19 airs on ABC on April 8, 2022, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Lucy Drawing Tool, SwiftPaws, The Dirty Cookie, and BusyBoxSign.
Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, you can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.