Play Maysie Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 14
Play Maysie turned a mess-free, lunchbox-style dollhouse into a $1.11 million brand after securing a deal with Barbara on Shark Tank.
Kayla Lupean hoped to make a play for Play Maysie, her portable dollhouses, in Shark Tank Season 14 Episode 20. Lupean became a single mom by choice back in 2017. She had divorced in 2013 and hadn’t met “Mr. Wonderful,” so she decided to adopt a daughter to experience motherhood.
The adoption came by chance when a pregnant couple asked her mother’s medical practice if they knew someone looking to adopt. The adoption came together in just 8 weeks, and Kayla’s daughter, Elsie, was born in October.
Fast forward to Christmas Day, 2020, and Kayla had an epiphany. When she saw her daughter playing with her dollhouse, she envisioned a portable dollhouse. She said her daughter loved to play, but as a first-time mom, she was unaware of the stresses toys brought to a household.
Kayla spent more time trying to find missing pieces than her daughter spent playing with her toys. Toys should have brought joy to a home, not a mess. That’s why she created Play Maysie. Would the Sharks believe Play Maysie could become the next big toy brand?
About Play Maysie
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Play Maysie |
| Founder | Kayla Lupean |
| Industry | Children’s Toys |
| Product | Portable dollhouse |
| Deal Status | Deal secured with Barbara |
| Investment Asked | $150,000 for 10% equity |
| Deal Status | $150,000 for 20% equity + $7 Royalty per unit until investment recouped |
The Play Maysie dollhouses looked like old-school metal lunchboxes when closed. They opened on each side to reveal a dollhouse complete with furniture. Everything, including the dolls, used magnets to hold everything together.
The dollhouses cost $48, and dolls cost extra, but they were included in any of the $78 bundles offered on the website. Customers could also buy them in person at The Arcade Mall in Cleveland, where she had a shop.
Kayla used $25,000 of her savings to get the first prototypes made and set up a Kickstarter campaign. The campaign was a success; it raised $29,475 in April 2021. She delivered finished products in November 2021. She had been selling the dollhouses at a brisk pace ever since.
Play Maysie was named “Best Preschool Toy of 2022” by Parents.com.
Kayla also donated dollhouses to young children entering foster care. She was likely on Shark Tank to get help with inventory.
Play Maysie Shark Tank Pitch
Kayla entered the Shark Tank seeking $150,000 for 10% of her company.
The Sharks examined their samples. Two characters were included, but there were a total of six. Kayla made them gender-neutral because she believed doll play should be inclusive for girls and boys. She wanted to build out the line of cases and expand the character base.
The first book of character stories had been completed and was awaiting illustrations. She wanted kids to get to know the characters and their stories. Kayla said she was going to be the next big toy brand in America.
Lori Greiner wanted to know Kayla’s story. Kayla told the story of her divorce in 2013 and how she came to adopt her daughter. At Christmas 2020, she lost her photography business due to COVID-19, so she took her savings and kick-started the business. Landed cost was $13, and they sold for $49.99; that was a 70% margin.
Kayla launched her Kickstarter campaign in March 2021 with a $25,000 goal and ended up raising $30,000 organically. She took the $30,000 and used it for the molds for the tins. She sold her car to help pay for that, received the product on December 15, and ended up closing out 2021 with $175,000 in sales.
In 2022, she ran into an issue. She had a commitment on a purchase order, but they were not clear on the number of units they wanted. Kayla ordered 5,000 units. The purchase order was for only a few hundred pieces.
She took on an investor who invested $85,000 into the business for inventory and shipping; the investor had 10% of the company.
Sales as of 2022 were $55,000, and Kayla projected $400,000 in sales by the end of the year. She had 9,000 units on hand, which represented $500,000 in revenue.
What Makes Play Maysie Unique?
Play Maysie stood out in the crowded toy industry through a combination of innovation and practicality:
- Portable dollhouse design inspired by vintage lunchboxes.
- Magnetic furniture and accessories that reduce lost pieces.
- Easy storage and cleanup for parents.
- Travel-friendly design for on-the-go play.
- Expansion potential through books, characters, and new dollhouse themes.
Did Play Maysie Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Daymond John saw the vision for growth, and he liked the product, but as for the business, he was out. Kevin said it was admirable what she had done, but it was not a business for him; he was out.
Lori Greiner loved what Kayla had done, but it was not the right product for her. She was out.
Mark Cuban thought that if she kept it small, she could make $200,000–$400,000 a year in a few years and then worry about scaling. He thought she was trying to do too much too soon; he was out.
Barbara Corcoran thought it was a very well-thought-out product and that Kayla had courage. She offered $150,000 for 30% plus a royalty of $5 per unit until she got her money back.
Kayla countered with $150,000 for 20% or $200,000 for 30%. Barbara countered with $150,000 plus a $100,000 credit line, plus the royalty, for 30%. When Kayla reminded Barbara about her other investor, Barbara dropped to 20% plus a $7 royalty until she got her money back. Kayla accepted the deal.
Play Maysie Shark Tank Update
The first rerun of this episode was in July 2023, just three months after the original air date.
The estimated net worth of Play Maysie was around $1.1 million as of 2025.
According to an official Shark Tank Instagram update released approximately 18 months after the episode aired, Play Maysie products could be found nationwide in major retailers, including Barnes & Noble stores, MoMA gift shops, and even locations connected to the White House.
The company experienced significant post-show growth after successfully closing its deal with Barbara Corcoran. The partnership helped in expansion, including a reported 140% increase in sales during 2023.
Play Maysie also broadened its product lineup by introducing additional themed portable dollhouses, allowing the brand to appeal to a wider audience.
The company generated approximately $370,000 in revenue after appearing on Shark Tank, benefiting from the exposure and credibility that came with the show. However, the long-term outcome took an unexpected turn.
At its peak, the business developed a loyal customer base and achieved an impressive 51% repeat customer rate, reflecting strong customer satisfaction and engagement. Annual revenue approached $400,000, and the company was valued at roughly $1 million.
Kayla Lupean ultimately decided to sell the business and return to education. She chose to focus on teaching entrepreneurship to high school students, helping inspire the next generation of business owners.
The Shark Tank update also revealed that Play Maysie eventually shut down operations. Challenges of retail expansion, inventory management, and customer acquisition ultimately proved difficult to overcome.
While the company was no longer active, the business remained one of Barbara Corcoran’s memorable investments and served as an example of how entrepreneurs sometimes chose personal fulfillment over continuing to grow a company.
Posts about Play Maysie on Shark Tank Blog
Explore additional coverage and updates about Play Maysie Dollhouses from the Shark Tank Blog.
Where Can You Buy It?
Since the company has ceased operations, Play Maysie products are no longer available for purchase on the official website, Amazon, or other retail stores. Readers could check out the company’s social media pages on Instagram for previous updates.
Quick Summary
- Kayla Lupean pitched Play Maysie Dollhouse on Shark Tank Season 14 and secured a deal with Barbara Corcoran.
- Play Maysie sold portable, magnetized dollhouses with a focus on clean, inclusive play.
- Kayla Lupean has shut down her business and chose to focus on teaching.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 14 Episodes.no
Curious to know about other businesses that appeared on Shark Tank Season 14 Episode 20? Check out their business updates!
