'Shark Tank' viewers slam Blinger founder for pitching 'messy' hair styling tool business for $200K
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The narrative of how Blinger was founded is inspiring, to say the least. However, the retelling may not have gone down well with 'Shark Tank' viewers when inventor Angie Cella detailed her "messy business" to ABC investors.
On the night of November 2, 2014, a dream about a product that dispensed blingy stones right into one's hair shocked the mother of four. A few weeks after experimenting with her daughter's hair, Angie had another dream in which she claims God instructed her to create the shampoo.
She set out on a mission to physically make her vision come true, believing in it. Nonetheless, her route was not free of obstacles.
Over the next four years, she contacted many freelance engineering organizations through Upwork. Unfortunately, none produced the expected outcomes as she experienced financial and creative hurdles, finally depleting her resources and putting her in significant debt of $1.7 million.
Not one to give up easily, Angie got back up. In early 2018, she approached a fifth business and completed a practical and functional prototype in just 30 days.
Angie was unable to make the payment since she had spent all of her funds. That's when she went to her strongest supporters: her children.
She openly asked them, "What if we sell the house, and I’ll build the [manufacturing] tool myself in China? We’ll just live in an apartment for a year or two. What do you think?"
To her delight, she received a supportive nod from her children and proceeded to make her dream a reality. She began producing the product while working with Chinese merchants during the summer.
In October of the same year, Angie carried her invention to Dallas, Texas, where she earned a product run of 100 Blingers at the Dallas Toy Fair before presenting it to Walmart at the Women in Toys event. After amazing success in both tournaments, she realized she had a winner.
She quickly partnered with Wicked Cool Toys, and Blinger was distributed by major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Angie experienced success in 2019 with the sale of over 50 million Blingers.
The next year, Women in Toys honored the originator with the Wonder Woman Award.
Since COVID, sales have decreased, as has her entire business. By the summer of 2022, Blinger had a massive number of unlawful infringers on the internet.
She contacted the toy firm again and was able to reactivate her product license agreement. She now owns 100 percent of the product.
On Reddit, viewers slammed the founder for her pitch, saying "this is some long backstory." Another person chimed in, "The men said your a mess."
Others quipped, "I'm like 99% sure I saw a commercial for this as a kid in the 2000s lmfaoo." A fourth user noted, "Came here just to say. Don't waste cash on this. Just remember the commercials from 2009 Nickelodeon about the “cool new tool to bejewel your hair: Quick Gems by Conair.” Literally $10–$20 less and I'm floored anyone would bother buying this when there's something that already does it."
One viewer sighed after the pitch, "This just seems like too much baggage...." Another agreed, "There’s so much baggage. Plus they are giving long explanations but still the sharks have to pull answers out of them."
One user claimed, "It's a product not a business" Would apply here." Another joked, "How did this business sell for less than half the book value of inventory? Lmao."
Blinger sealed a CBS deal before 'Shark Tank' debut
Currently, the company's revenues total $1,64,000. They are currently profitable.
They expected to end the year with a profit of $1.5 million and sales of $4.2 million. This was after accounting for their CBS arrangement and a QVC product placement.
Angie also said that all of her money was caught in the inventory, which is valued at around $2.5 million.
The favorable word-of-mouth it gained after being featured on Vogue, Byrdie, CBS, NBC, and QVC has been working as catalysts to maintain its consistent prosperity in the long run.
Did Blinger get a 'Shark Tank' deal?
Angie wanted a Shark and $200K for a 5% investment in Blinger because she lacked business skills. The firm does not have a CFO.
She also stated that she was in dire need of a bookkeeper.
Sharks Robert Herjavec, Mark Cuban, and Kevin O'Leary believed Angie needed someone to take over the operations for her. As Angie announced that she no longer wanted to be CEO, three of the Sharks refused to negotiate a deal.
Mark believed Angie wasn't even in a position to accept an investment "because everything's a mess." Robert believes Angie isn't "a very good operator."
Barbara Corcoran, on the other hand, believed Angie could be her ideal partner and offered $200K in exchange for 25%. When Angie countered with 20%, Barbara declined.
Finally, Angie agreed to seal the deal for 25% if Barbara funded the purchase orders. Barbara also proposed a contingency offer in which Angie and her core staff would meet with the ABC investor in New York to go over her whole business.
What is the cost of Blinger?
For bling enthusiasts of all ages and occasions, from pep rallies to homecoming, this product is an instant hit! From young schoolchildren to newlyweds! As of this writing, Amazon and its official website both sell it for online purchase.
The Blinger Glam Collection Starter Kit with Gem Stamper + 225 Colorful Acrylic Gems and Blinger Starter Kit with Styling Tool + 75 Precision-Cut Glass Crystals are both $49, while the refill packs that include rhinestones, deluxe crystals, colorful crystals, and pearls range in price from $9.99 to $30. You will also discover a few extra Starter packs in addition to these.
The firm is now offering two limited-edition Blinger sets: the Vanity Starter Set with Styling Tool + 150 Precision-Cut Glass Crystals for $89) and the Shimmer Starter Kit with Gold-Plated Styling Tool + 90 Precision-Cut Swarovski Glass Crystals for $69, which are the two unique sets. It provides free nationwide shipping with a 30-day return policy and, upon request, worldwide shipment of the items.
'Shark Tank' Season 15 airs on Fridays on ABC at 8 pm ET.
For those who missed the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.