Nohbo Update | Shark Tank Season 7
We all wash our hair, but shampoo bottles can be a huge waste of plastic. Few people recycle shampoo bottles, leading to a lot of plastic waste. But what if there was a better way? Then 16-year-old entrepreneur Benjamin Stern developed a shampoo delivery system that completely removed plastic bottles from the equation. What will the sharks think of this innovation on
Shark Tank Nohbo Update
- Entrepreneur: Benjamin Stern
- Business: Shampoo balls that reduce plastic waste
- Ask: $100,000 for 20% equity
- Result: $100,000 for 25% equity
- Shark: Mark Cuban
The at-home segment for Nohbo revealed that Benjamin wanted to do better for the environment. With the help of his grandmother (“Bubbie”), he sought to replace plastic bottles in every bathroom across the US. He wanted $100,000 for 20% equity.
During the pitch, Benjamin washed his Bubbie’s hair using one of the balls, demonstrating how it worked. He wanted the investment to license the product. The sharks were impressed with the balls when he passed them out, and Benjamin told them he called Clorox with his idea and they helped develop the product.
Next, he got a freelance chemist on the line to work out the formula. The company was growing by leaps and bounds, but the balls were all pressed by hand. There were no sales for the company. Benjamin mentioned he wanted to move towards hotels and license the technology.
Lori Greiner loved the product but thought it was too early for the company. Kevin O’Leary saw the long journey ahead and opted out. Robert Herjavec, on the other hand, offered $100,000 for 20% equity as long as the patent could pan out.
Mark Cuban is also interested and told Benjamin that he had a lot of lawyers, manufacturers, and contacts he could use. He offered $100,000 for 25% equity. Barbara Corcoran made an offer of $100,000 for 20% equity, too, contingent on Benjamin selling the idea to Estēe Lauder.
Ultimately, Mark’s contacts and expertise won out. Benjamin accepted his deal! Where does this leave the promising company? Find out in the rest of our Nohbo update.
Benjamin’s vision came to fruition after appearing on the show. He received the Young Entrepreneur award from the governor of Florida and improved the product through many years of trial and error.
Due to issues with the formula and supply, the company moved to gel-based shampoo ‘drops’ instead of balls. After a quick rebrand, Benjamin was able to secure over 76 million purchase orders through 2022 and secured more venture funding.
In Season 11, a Nohbo update revealed that a new factory was being used for the products close to Melbourne, Florida, which helped reduce costs. In 2022, Benjamin began another brand called Sunrise Session. Since then, he has licensed shampoo delivery technology more than 60 times to various companies and brands. Yearly revenue is over $8 million for both companies.
You can check out more about the company and which brands use the technology on the Nohbo website.
Get caught up with the rest of the products featured on Season 7 Episode 18 with our company updates. You can find them here.
There’s more! Don’t forget to take a look at our Season 7 Products Page, for even more on companies and products!
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!