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'Shark Tank': Sharks slam dentist with 'no business chops' for seeking help to launch her Oral B rip-off

Dr Staci Whitman, a dentist turned entrepreneur, angered Sharks with her poor business skills

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The inventor of a novel tooth-flossing gadget called the Happi Floss Compostgable Flosser appeared on 'Shark Tank' this week to strike a deal. Not only did the founder had to walk away with no deal, but their product has also been accused of being a rip-off of a much bigger brand by the viewers.

Season 14, episode 15 of ABC's 'Shark Tank' featured businesswoman Dr Staci Whitman introducing her company Happi Floss in the hopes of receiving a life-changing investment from the Sharks. During the program, she expressed her concern that dental floss picks added significantly to plastic debris, hurting the ecosystem. As a result, Staci devised the concept of biodegradable floss, which she manufactures and distributes under the brand Happi. So, why did she leave empty-handed?

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Sharks slam Staci Whitman for poor business skills

Although Dr Staci was certain of the product she wanted to develop, she admitted that it required time and effort to create something biodegradable yet helpful in dental treatment. She walked in seeking $200,000 for 10 per cent of her company. Shark Lori Greiner begins the conversation by pointing out that Hapi products are identical to those found in shops; the difference is that Hapi products are made of paper. Dr Staci discusses other companies that use petroleum-based polymers. Staci stated that she was attending a meeting in Hawaii in 2020 when she came across huge amounts of plastic refuse clogging the marina. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the majority of the refuse was made up of plastic dental floss tools that people had discarded after use. Furthermore, because floss picks are a one-time-use object, it doesn't take long to collect enough trash to damage the ecosystem. Staci went back to the drawing board, determined to find the ideal solution to this issue. Furthermore, she was aware that most parents detested plastic floss due to its negative impact on health and the ecosystem. That's when she started making prototypes and ultimately refined her form of eco-friendly, non-toxic floss picks.

Dr Staci says that her current challenge is equipment and production because the product has never been produced before. She stated that she is in the Tank in search of a partner who can assist her in carrying out her plan. Shark Kevin O'Leary looked back into his college days recalling when he did a project on the dental industry. He learned that, "all the dental equipment of your office are controlled by three behemoth companies including distribution of everything you use." He wonders why Staci wouldn't take her business concept to one of those three businesses and license it to them. He pondered how she could possibly make money selling her goods one at a time "to a system that is already pre-established."

Dr Staci notes that the margins can be up to 50 per cent on floss picks. Shark Kevin insists on knowing how she intends to market it. She says that she has yet to sell a single product. She wishes to start manufacturing right away because all of her goods are handcrafted. Shark Kevin asks why is she so keen on manufacturing. Shark Lori Greiner agrees and asks Staci if she has a patent. She claims to have utility patents filed in the United States, Europe, and Canada, and that the likelihood of obtaining those rights is very high.

Staci mentions competing with large competitors like The Humble Co, but when questioned how she intends to do so, she candidly responds that's why she needs the Sharks. According to Shark Daniel Lubetzky, they all have day jobs and would prefer to depend on entrepreneurs to operate their own companies. "I don't have a product in the market," Daniel says, summarising her proposal. "I have a fierce competitor. I haven't sold one cent but I'm worth 2 million dollars and you're gonna help me do everything."Staci corrects him saying they do have pre-sale, since they did crowdfunding last year and she has done pre-sales through her office also taking it up to $100k to date."

Staci started by planning to sell these products at $12.99 for a pack of 30 which she felt was too high. She expects to get the prince point down once the manufacturing starts. Shark Kevin asks why she isn't entertaining the idea of going to the manufacturers who already do this. She says she doesn't know whom to go to. Shark Kevin is in disbelief that Staci being a dentist doesn't know the three suppliers. Staci says they're not interested in this since it will be a consumer product. Shark Kevin disagrees with her and opts to sit out. Shark Lori Greiner agrees with Kevin and believes Staci should give it to a manufacturer and license it. Shark Daniel doesn't find the business investible at the moment hence sits out. Shark Daymond thinks their business ideas may not align so he doesn't want to invest. Shark Mark Cuban thinks Staci doesn't have the "business chops" at all so he can't offer a deal either.

Fans compare Hapi Floss to Oral B

Just like Shark Lori, fans were quick to draw comparisons to Oral B too. One person tweeted, "There is already an Ecco friendly floss stick by Oral B. You cannot go in shark tank without dying any if the keg work expecting them to do it for you." Shark Daniel also took to social media to reflect on Shark Mark's words, "Noticing a problem in your life and solving for it is awesome. Dr. Whitman's heart is definitely in the right place with Happi Floss and she seems to be a wonderful dentist but not an entrepreneur. At this time, her business is not investable so I'm out." However, fans much worse opinion. One wrote, "This dentist is a mess." Fans were already not sold on the product when they heard, "Presale prototype Oh no." One fan also wondere, "nice idea but isn't that why they sell reusable flossers or waterpiks?"

'Shark Tank' Season 14 Episode 19 will air on ABC on Friday, April 7, at 8.pm ET. You can catch the latest episode the next day on demand, or on Hulu. You can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.

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