Fort Magic Kits Update | Shark Tank Season 5
Erika Pope wanted to help take the frustration out of fort-building. Her kits are a child’s dream come true. Will they earn a deal on
Shark Tank Fort Magic Update
- Entrepreneurs: Erika Pope
- Business: Fort-building kits for kids
- Ask: $75,000 in exchange for 15% equity
- Result: No deal
- Sharks: None
Erika brought her Fort Magic kits to the tank. She said now kids could say goodbye once and for all to collapsing blanket castles that parents destroyed at bedtime. Her kits are made of rods, connectors, and fabric clips, allowing kids to construct elaborate and stable forts, ships, cars, and more.
Erika told the sharks that her company had been up and running for 18 months, having generated $150,000 in sales by the time of filming, with most kits selling on Amazon. Each kit cost the company $50 total, and retailed for $200, giving the company a 75% margin. For each kit sold, there was $100 profit.
Erika had invested $50,000 to start the company, but she drew gasps from the sharks when she added that her mom had invested an additional $200,000. However, they had recently brought in another investor who committed $200,000 in exchange for 35%, and the shares had since been roughly divided into thirds.
Barbara Corcoran admired Erika’s enthusiasm, but said Erika lacked focus. Mark Cuban agreed, telling the toymaker she was going in all different directions. Kevin O’Leary said most parents in America couldn’t afford to spend $200 on a child’s toy. Lori Greiner echoed Kevin’s concern, and all 4 sharks were out.
Unlike the others, Robert Herjavec thought Erika’s forts would be a hot seller. He offered $75,000 in exchange for 50% equity. Erika tried to get Robert to lower the equity to 25%, but he refused.
Ultimately, Erika left the tank without a deal. What then became of her company? Keep reading our Fort Magic update to find out!
We have good news to share in our Fort Magic update. Despite not getting a deal on
Would you like to learn about the other companies featured on Season 5 Episode 25? Follow the links below for our other company updates from the episode.
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Andrew Smith is the founder and owner of Shark Tank Recap. He is a longtime Shark Tank fan that has been watching it for years and has seen every episode multiple times. His friends know him as the Shark Tank expert, because he can answer any question about the show! His favorite Shark Tank products are Bertello's pizza oven and Bug Bite Thing!