Create a Castle Update | Shark Tank Season 14

Kevin and Laurie Lane were on a beach vacation in California in 2016 when they noticed something all too familiar—families struggling to build sandcastles that just wouldn’t hold together. Inspired by the frustration they saw (and had experienced themselves), the husband-and-wife team came up with a better way to build castles.

The result was Create a Castle, a system of hinged molds that open from the side, making it simple to build detailed sand and snow castles without the usual hassle. Fast forward to Shark Tank Season 14, and the Lanes were stepping into the Tank hoping to turn their beachside breakthrough into a nationally recognized brand.

Create a Castle Shark Tank Overview

• Kevin and Laurie appeared on Shark Tank Season 14, seeking $350,000 for 10% equity
• Secured a deal with guest shark Kendra Scott for $350,000 for 20% equity
• Expanded retail presence to 32 locations across the U.S.
• Launched new products, including indoor activity kits and accessories
• The company has grown to approximately $3 million in annual revenue

Offers From The Sharks

Shark	Offer
Kendra Scott	Accepted offer of $350,000 for 20% equity
Daymond John	$350,000 for 25% equity
Mark Cuban	No offer
Lori Greiner	No offer
Kevin O’Leary	No offer

Shark Tank Create a Castle Pitch

Kevin and Laurie came in asking for $350,000 in exchange for 10% equity, hoping to land a shark who could help them scale operations, improve margins, and avoid costly mistakes as they pursued licensing deals.

They introduced Create a Castle’s line of sand and snow castle-building kits, which use patented molds with hinges that open from the side. This makes the process easier, faster, and more fun.

The product comes in three kit levels: Basic, Deluxe, and Pro, each including tools such as a window cutter and a carrying bag. With 12 international patents, the kits are designed to work on both sand and snow, giving them year-round appeal.

At the time of the pitch, Create a Castle products were available through major retailers including Walmart, Amazon, Costco Canada, Sam’s Club, and their own website.

Supply Chain Issues

While the product showed strong potential, Kevin and Laurie were upfront about the financial challenges they had faced, particularly in 2021.

Global shipping disruptions caused the cost of freight containers to spike from an average of $4,000 to $6,000 to as high as $25,000, resulting in a $100,000 loss that year despite solid margins.

Their cost structure was as follows:

• Small kit: $2 to make, retails for $10
• Pro kit: $9.45 to make, retails for $50
• Profit margins: Between 27% and 32%

Despite the setbacks, they projected $3 million in revenue and $300,000 in profit for the year. The numbers showed that the business had bounced back and was positioned for growth.

What Did The Sharks Think?

The sharks had differing opinions on the business model.

Mark Cuban felt the company was too focused on top-line sales rather than profit and decided not to invest.

Kevin O’Leary disagreed with their multi-channel approach and pushed them to focus exclusively on direct-to-consumer sales with higher pricing.

Lori Greiner liked the product and price point but chose not to make an offer.

Daymond John offered $350,000 for 25% equity and highlighted his experience in licensing.

Guest shark Kendra Scott also made an offer of $350,000, but for 20%, emphasizing her background in branding and retail partnerships.

Kevin and Laurie attempted to negotiate a shared deal between Kendra and Daymond, but both preferred to go solo. In the end, the couple accepted Kendra Scott’s offer at 20% equity.

Shark Tank Create a Castle Update

Since appearing on Shark Tank, Create a Castle has continued to gain traction with new products, expanded retail partnerships, and steady growth.

Did the Deal With Kendra Scott Close?

It is unclear whether the deal with guest shark Kendra Scott officially closed after filming. However, the company pressed forward with its growth plans and appears to have benefited from the exposure regardless.

Is Create a Castle Still in Business?

Yes, Create a Castle is still in business and selling products through its official website, Amazon, and major retailers. Since the episode aired, they’ve expanded into 32 U.S. retail locations and opened a store in Australia.

In November 2022, the company also launched on HSN Online, increasing its visibility with shoppers. They’ve continued to innovate by introducing several new products:

• Indoor Activity Kits
• Castle Light Kits
• Dig and Hold Anchoring System
• Buildmaster (a more advanced building kit)

In 2023, co-founder Laurie Lane was nominated for the Wonder Women Awards in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment, highlighting the brand’s rising profile in the toy industry.

Revenue Growth After Shark Tank

Despite earlier setbacks from supply chain challenges, Create a Castle has maintained a strong performance since airing on Shark Tank.

Recent reports indicate the business is generating around $3 million in annual revenue, with positive momentum across product lines and retail channels.

We’ll be watching for the next Create a Castle update, and we’ll be sure to share it when it comes.

For more updates from Shark Tank Season 14, Episode 3, check the links below!

• Halloween Moments Update
• Stakt Update
• Mama O’s Update

Before you go, be sure to check out our list of all the Shark Tank Season 14 products.