Root Suit Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 4
Colin Grussing pitched Root Suit to the Tank at a time when it had already been repped by big names like Shaquille O’Neal, but will that be enough to reel in a Shark?
Root Suit, the original spandex body suit, came to Shark Tank Season 4 Episode 21 seeking investment.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 4 Episodes.
About Root Suit
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Root Suit |
| Founder | Colin Grussing |
| Industry | Apparel & Costumes |
| Product | Full-body spandex suits |
| Deal Status | No deal |
| Investment Asked | $100,000 for 15% equity |
| Valuation | $666,667 (At the time of the Shark Tank pitch) |
Entrepreneur Colin Grussing started Root Suit back in 2008 when he wanted to buy a green spandex body suit for a friend that he saw on TV. He couldn’t find a company that sold them, so he established his own!
Colin and his buddies tried wearing the suits in the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the crowd went mad about them.
They reportedly sold their first suit for $400 on eBay, and then Root Suit got big publicity in 2010 when Shaquille O’Neal wore a 5XL.
Since then, many imitators have popped up, which have had good and bad effects. Root Suits hoped the Sharks would suit up with an investment.
Root Suit Shark Tank Recap
Colin Grussing came looking for a $100,000 investment in return for 15% of Root Suit. His pitch was colorful to say the least.
Rather than a long, drawn-out description and breakdown of the business, he introduced a modern dance troop, all decked out in the Root Suit. One dancer sported a giant shark head and pretended to chomp the Sharks, garnering nervous laughter.
Sales in the past year reached $525,000, with $140,000 in profit. Grussing claimed to have pioneered the product space, although he has some competition from imitators.
Did Root Suit Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Robert Herjavec was familiar with the product and believed it was a “big market,” but he was apprehensive of the competition, which made him opt out. Lori Greiner thought they’re “very cool” and she “really likes them,” but she was also worried about competition.
Grussing addressed Daymond John directly, pointing out the branding that made him successful. Kevin O’Leary was unconvinced and out. He wanted a larger return on his investment and said, “For me, it isn’t there.”
With three Sharks out, Daymond John made a “very Sharky offer.” He was willing to put up the $100,000, but he wanted 50% of the company.
Grussing was unsure about giving up half his equity, and Mark Cuban refused to move until he heard an answer. Grussing waited too long, and John retracted his offer.
Cuban told him that he’d “be an idiot to take a partner.” He opted out as well, and Grussing left the stage with no Shark deal.
What Makes Root Suit Unique?
With the onset of the internet and memes, and everything in between, Root Suit was seen as a great prank tool and beyond.
It served the purpose of a great comedic relief product across a wide sphere of activities, ranging from Halloween to school pranks and Vine recordings.
Root Suit Shark Tank Update
The business was booming at the time before coming to a standstill in 2016. The company website is still available, but only as an internet archive (given the fact that it does not accept orders).
The social media handles have also not been updated since 2016. Colin Grussing has gone on to have other successful endeavors, with the urban legend of Root Suit in his resume.
Read more on this specific genre of spandex body suit, as seen on Shark Tank.
Where Can You Buy It?
Root Suit is not available for purchase anymore since it ceased its operations in 2016. Archived versions of their official website still display product listings, though no purchases can be made. Check out its social media pages: Facebook and Twitter from the days of yore.
Quick Summary
- Colin Grussing seeks $100,000 for 15% equity in Root Suit, the original spandex body suit company, boasting $525,000 in sales and $140,000 in profit.
- Despite high sales, the Sharks express concerns over competition and scalability, leading to no deal after Daymond John retracts his 50% equity offer.
- Grussing continues to expand Root Suit post-show but eventually shuts down the company in 2016, pivoting to new entrepreneurial projects.
More products from this episode! Check out other business updates that participated alongside Root Suit.
Damon you are such an bad person for backing out on that root suit guy just because he didn’t say yes within a certain amount of time, I hope your business goes into bankrupt and you live poor like the rest of the world! Your eago will bite you in the back my friend! Fubu sucks btw nobody wears that anymore!! Your rich, you can have 3 meals a day, you have a house and a car, you should give people a chance and give back to the unfortunate, we all are suffering in this economy and I think it was so darn rude and vein of you to do that to that young man! I’m sure he was nervous and YOU BACKED OUT!! Shame shame! Hope you will one day be in the rest of the populations shoes and see what it is to live paycheck to paycheck and eat top ramen for dinner because that’s all you can afford! Maybe you should pick a couple of family’s with all that money you have and help them with housing and transportation food etc that prob will help u become a better person! NOBODY NEEDS $800 suits and $200 dress socks!!
I have not seen the episode, but I think you are being far to harsh on Damon Jennifer!!! It is his money his rules. How many times has Kevin done the same thing, and Mark Cuban they all do it from time to time especially if they are wavering on doing the deal. If you have actually looked into Shark Tank a bit more, you will find that Damon is one of the most friendliest Sharks and he puts a lot of time into the companies he invests in. Its simple really before shooting your mouth off look into the facts.
Also, just one example of how Damon behaves – the Billy Blanks JR guy, DID NOT understand the deal given to him by Damon, Damon got up and explained it to him and a deal was signed they are both happy with. So again don’t take everything at face value and more importantly don’t let this show get you so worked up, it is after all only a show 🙂
I so enjoy reading this blog
Have a lovely day!
Yes he has all that BECAUSE he earned it !! It’s his money ! He is the kindest man and helps a lot of people ..first example the lady that all the other sharks attacked ..her product is myself belt .I SUGGEST YOU WATCH IT !