Shark Tank's You Smell Soap: Whatever Happened To The Company After The Show?

Megan Cummins stepped into "Shark Tank" Season 3, Episode 3 on a mission to change the way we see soap just like Scrub Daddy aimed to change the way we do the dishes. She introduced her luxury brand, You Smell, with the goal to make buying soap a treat. Her secret? Premium ingredients and super cool packaging that's perfect for on-the-go.

The brand stood out because of its all-natural and organic lineup: avocado oil, olive oil, shea butter, tea tree oil, and glycerin. These ingredients whipped up a creamy lather that was kind to the skin, without any harsh chemicals like parabens, fillers, or phthalates — perfect for the health-conscious and those with sensitive skin.

What really set it apart was the dissolvable paper wrappers and unique scents like Lemon Verbena and Lavender Mint, elevating it to a premium product. Cummins first tested the waters by producing 1,200 bars of the soap, and they sold out fast. The enthusiastic response plus growing demand showed her that customers saw its potential. Encouraged by this success, she decided to take her business to the next level by seeking investment. She went before the Sharks to ask for $55,000 in exchange for a 20% stake in her business.

The founder of the luxury soap explained that her business was still pre-venture, meaning she needed the investment to kick things off because she hadn't started making money yet. As she handed out samples, Barbara Corcoran praised the soap's sleek design. Daymond John was the first Shark to bow out, simply not seeing it as his kind of business. Next, Kevin O'Leary expressed his concerns about the competitive nature of the industry, quipping that he couldn't smell the money. And we should trust his words since he once shared the secret to earning $1 million fast.

However, the tide quickly turned as the other Sharks started making offers. Mark Cuban jumped in first, matching Cummins ask of $55,000 for a 20% stake. Corcoran, impressed by Cummins tenacity — especially after initially doubting her — countered with a steeper proposal. She offered the same $55,000 but for a 40% stake and a 10% royalty on every bar sold, noting that the business would likely need more than Cummins was asking for.

Robert Herjavec made the most attractive offer, proposing $55,000 for just a 20% stake plus an additional $50,000 salary for the founder. This sparked a lively debate among the Sharks, with Cuban trying to sway her by arguing he was the best investor for her business. Corcoran, feeling the competition, then lowered her ask to 30% equity. Cummins, overwhelmed by the great choices, ultimately went with Herjavec's generous offer. Happily ever after? Not quite.

After a seemingly successful pitch, Megan Cummins didn't hear from Robert Herjavec for six months following their initial agreement on screen. Still, she didn't back down. After her episode aired, Cummins' company gained a burst of publicity that drove a surge in website sales — so much so that her website crashed due to the traffic.

Herjavec finally reached out with a new proposal, this time asking for 50% of the company. Cummins turned it down. Herjavec claimed his absence was due to performing due diligence on the company. It's not uncommon for Sharks to conduct thorough research or even propose different terms off-air, as many deals made on the show often change or turn out bad. One of which Mark Cuban calls the business with the "worst execution" in Shark Tank history.

Despite You Smell's initial success, the product soon faced tough challenges. Competition from more established brands started to erode its market share, negatively impacting sales. It also struggled with being a higher-priced brand, making it less accessible in a market with budget-friendly alternatives. In 2014, there seemed a glimmer of hope when Cummins sold her business to an undisclosed buyer for an unspecified amount, but this uplift was short-lived as You Smell was discontinued in 2016. Cummins later reflected that, in hindsight, she might have been better off going with Mark Cuban. However, she chose Herjavec because he appeared to be the nicest Shark.