Dude Wipes Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 7
Dude Wipes entered Shark Tank with humor, hygiene, and a bold pitch tailored for men. It is one of the show’s biggest success stories, having gained over $340 million in lifetime sales by 2023.
Sean Riley, Ryan Meegan, and Jeff Klimkowski, collectively known as “the Dudes,” entered Shark Tank Season 7 Episode 6. They pitched Dude Wipes, disposable wipes designed specifically for men, which was both hilarious and surprisingly brilliant. A fourth partner, Brian Wilkin, doesn’t appear on the show.
The Dudes wanted a Shark to help ramp up production and open new doors for distribution. Would a shark clean up with them?
Check out other Shark Tank Season 7 Episodes.
About Dude Wipes
| Category | Details |
| Business Name | Dude Wipes |
| Founders | Sean Riley, Brian Wilkin, Ryan Meegan, and Jeff Klimkowski |
| Product Type | Disposable Wipes for Men |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Shark Mark Cuban |
| Investment Asked | $300000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Outcome | $300000 for 25% equity |
The idea for Dude Wipes came about when the Dudes were in college. They used baby wipes with their toilet paper, and they realized there wasn’t a wipe being marketed to adult males.
In 2012, they produced their first run of unscented, biodegradable wipes, including Vitamin E and aloe. They were promptly sold out. Dude Wipes stood out with packaging that resonated with male consumers. This business is one of the 7 most successful Shark Tank products of all time.
Dude Wipes Shark Tank Pitch
Sean, Ryan, and Jeff entered the Tank seeking $300000 for 10% equity of Dude Wipes. They wasted no time making a splash, joking that toilet paper alone has been doing their customers wrong for decades. They explained how they made the first wipes for dudes and that they’re safe for “all dude regions.”
Lori begged Robert not to go up and demo the product! The Dudes handed out samples and explained it’s a complement to toilet paper. Their pitch had the Sharks laughing, cringing, and, most importantly, paying attention.
Barbara expressed that they’re too fragile. Mr. Wonderful wanted to know the sales figures. The sales figures impressed the Sharks. They had done $300,000 a year until then, and they were projecting $1.5 million in sales for the year.
The dudes announced that they had already landed a major retail deal with Kroger. They were rolling out 1500 Krogers with a 40% margin in the stores. It was expected to generate about $168,000 in monthly sales for all Kroger stores.
What Makes Dude Wipes Unique?
The four entrepreneurs behind Dude Wipes proposed a better alternative to toilet paper. They argued that wipes are superior for many reasons, but baby wipes aren’t suitable for adults. So, they created one designed specifically for grown-ups.
- Dude Wipes are unscented, flushable, biodegradable, and contain Vitamin E & aloe.
- They create buzz by changing their packaging for each production run.
- The packages contain tweets from their Twitter fans.
- In August 2015, Kroger’s, Ralph’s, Fry’s Food Stores, King Soopers, Smith’s, and Dillon’s picked them up.
Did Dude Wipes Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Despite the momentum, the Sharks had concerns. Mark Cuban thought the Dudes were unprepared for the marketing push needed, and he was out early. Barbara believed the wipes were too flimsy and pointed out that women typically purchase household products. She was out.
Lori Greiner liked the guys’ cleanliness and the packaging. She questioned their valuation but was unconvinced, and she was out. Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec both offered $300,000 for 25% each.
The Dudes tried to negotiate. They countered with $300,000 for 20% and then suggested a two-shark deal. Robert and Mr. Wonderful said they couldn’t do that. They countered with two Sharks at 25%, but Kevin held firm at 30%.
The Dudes took the original offer from Mr. Wonderful, and just as he was about to accept, Robert said he would do $300,000 for 27.5%. Barbara shouted, “Save your souls and get out of here!!” Mark said, “DUDE, he’s trying to wipe you out!”
Ultimately, Mark Cuban jumped back in at the last second and snagged the deal with $300,000 for 25% equity.
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What Happened to Dude Wipes After Shark Tank?
The Shark Tank Blog provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. After their appearance, the deal with Mark Cuban closed for Dude Wipes, and the product was listed on Cuban’s website.
Update Segment 1
Dude Wipes got an update segment in Shark Tank Season 8 Episode 22. In the update, they revealed that Mark made a cameo in their marketing video. They had massive success with their first-year sales after Shark Tank; they made $3.2 million, and there was no scope for slowing down.
With that momentum, they made a deal with Walgreens and Target. They were in over 7,300 stores and were available nationwide. On a good note for the consumer, prices dropped to $5.79 to make the product more accessible, and sales kept increasing.
Then came 2020. When toilet paper shortages rocked the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dude Wipes became a must-have. The pandemic-driven demand led to record-breaking sales.
By August 2021, the company was earning $70 million annually. At that point, it was hard to find a major drugstore or grocery store that did not sell Dude Wipes.
Update Segment 2
The business got the next big update segment in Shark Tank Season 13 Episode 10. In the update, they said pre-Shark Tank sales were $5000 per week, and in November 2021, sales were a whopping $1.4 million per week. Lifetime sales were $120 million.
They had opened a 200,000-square-foot warehouse to keep up with the demand. Dude Wipes was in more than 15,000 retail stores like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Amazon. Mark said they had reinvented the toilet paper market and were totally dedicated to their business. By then, Dude Wipes had become the number 2 selling wipe in the USA, but they wanted to be number one and take their products worldwide.
In October 2023, they were the 7th most successful Shark Tank company with $341 million in lifetime sales. In May 2024, the company had taken 1% of the US toilet paper market and was gearing up to grab 10%. The founders felt they could be a $500 million company by 2029.
In Shark Tank Season 16 Episode 11, the Dudes returned with their biggest flex yet again. They had expanded into over 40,000 retailers across the US and became the top-selling wipe brand on both Amazon and Walmart. Oh, and they locked in a massive partnership with Sam’s Club, bringing Dude Wipes to over 590 warehouse stores in the US.
But it’s not just about the bottom line. The brand has made giving back part of its mission. Partnering with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Dude Wipes has donated more than $250,000 in cash and products to help families living with gastrointestinal health challenges.
Read more details about Dude Wipes on the Shark Tank Blog.
Where Can You Buy It?
Dude Wipes are available online at Amazon and on their official website. For regular updates, check out their social media: Facebook and Twitter.
Quick Summary
- Dude Wipes are disposable, biodegradable wipes specifically designed for men. The founders pitched the product on Shark Tank, seeking $300,000 for 10% equity.
- They secured a deal with Mark Cuban for $300,000 for 25% equity. After the show, sales skyrocketed, and the brand reached $341m in lifetime revenue by 2023.
- As of 2024, Dude Wipes are sold in 40,000+ retail stores. The company aims for $500M in sales by 2029.
Check out the updates of other businesses that appeared on Shark Tank Season 7 Episode 6, alongside Dude Wipes.
- Table 87 Coal Oven Pizza Shark Tank Update
- EZ-Pee-Z Shark Tank Update
- Milk and Brookies Shark Tank Update
