When Ryan Naylor walked into the Shark Tank in Season 3, he wasn’t just pitching another fashion accessory. He was promoting wearable wellness. Esso Watches were designed to emit negative ions, marketed as a way to balance energy and improve focus. At a time when wellness trends were booming, the concept turned heads.
But not in the way Naylor expected.
Mark Cuban delivered one of the show’s most brutal shutdowns, accusing the founder of selling pseudoscience. While the other Sharks echoed the skepticism, Naylor stood firm, believing he had tapped into a growing wellness movement. The pitch became infamous, but not because of a deal.
So what happened after Shark Tank? Where is Ryan Naylor now? And what’s the Esso Watches net worth in 2025?
This is the story of a bold idea, a harsh spotlight, and the entrepreneurial lessons that followed.
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Who’s Behind Esso Watches?
Ryan Naylor, a digital marketing expert based in Arizona, was no stranger to building online businesses. Before launching Esso Watches, he founded LocalWork.com, a platform that helps job seekers and employers connect. His background gave him an edge in branding, web traffic, and product positioning.
Naylor discovered negative ion technology through his own health interests. Inspired by wearable wellness brands, he combined fashion and function with silicone-based watches he claimed could neutralize harmful positive ions from electronics and pollution.
“My vision was to help people feel better every day with something they could wear on their wrist,”
Naylor
While Esso eventually folded, Naylor returned to the digital space with renewed clarity and has continued growing LocalWork.com and other ventures. The net worth of Esso Watches’ founder, Ryan Naylor, is unknown as of 2025.
The Shark Tank Pitch: High Stakes in the Tank
Naylor entered the tank asking for $35,000 in exchange for 20% equity, placing Esso Watches at a $175,000 valuation. With confident energy, he demonstrated how the watch supposedly improved balance and overall wellness through negative ion technology.
Initially, the Sharks were intrigued until the science came up.
Mark Cuban was quick to attack the credibility of the claims. calling the pitch misleading.
“You might as well sell snake oil,”
Mark Cuban
Daymond John said the concept lacked real-world evidence. Barbara Corcoran admitted she liked the branding but doubted the core benefit. Kevin O’Leary, always focused on numbers, didn’t believe the watch had sustainable margins or proof of performance.
Despite revealing over $120,000 in sales, Naylor failed to win a deal.
“I don’t feel any energy except mine being drained,” Daymond said sharply.
While the rejection was tough, Naylor left the tank with visibility and, briefly, a surge in curiosity-driven sales.
Esso watches Pitch on Shark Tank (Quick Info Card)
| Company name | Esso Watches |
| Product | Negative ion bracelets |
| Episode | Season 03 Episode 06 |
| Founder | Ryan Naylor |
| Asked for | $35,000 for 20% Equity |
| Final deal | None |
| Shark | None |
| Location | USA |
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What Happened After Shark Tank?
After the episode aired, Esso Watches experienced a spike in website traffic and sales. Many viewers were curious to test the negative ion claims themselves. For a few months, it looked like the company might carve out a niche in the wellness space.
However, challenges quickly piled up. Returns increased. Complaints about the durability of the silicone bands surfaced. More importantly, customers questioned whether the watch had any real effect at all.
The business lacked the infrastructure to manage growth, and without Shark backing, Naylor had to handle it all on his own. Within two years of the pitch, Esso Watches quietly shut down.
Why Is Esso Watches Closed?
The company closed due to a combination of credibility issues, operational strain, and overwhelming market skepticism. The lack of scientific support for negative ion benefits made it difficult to retain repeat customers. Without funding or partners to scale, Esso couldn’t maintain momentum.
Ryan Naylor himself admitted the foundation wasn’t sustainable.
“It just became too hard to keep up with returns, inventory issues, and skepticism.”
Naylor
Esso Watches Reviews: What Customers Really Said
Reviews were a mixed bag.
Some buyers praised the minimalist design and lightweight feel. The price point, typically around $30 to $40, made it an easy purchase for the wellness curious. But most users reported no noticeable difference in energy or balance.
Common criticisms included:
- No measurable effect from the negative ions
- Silicone bands that tore or wore out quickly
- Disappointment after buying into the hype from the show
One user commented, “It looked cool, but I didn’t feel any different. It was more fashion than function.”
What Went Wrong With Esso Watches?
Several key issues led to the company’s downfall
- Lack of scientific validation behind the product’s health claims
- Negative publicity from the Shark Tank episode, especially from Mark Cuban
- High return rates and poor product durability
- Inability to scale the business without investment or a strong supply chain
Even with Naylor’s marketing skills, the product lacked the staying power needed in a competitive market.
How Much Did the Shark Make from Esso Watches?
None of the Sharks invested in Esso Watches, so there were no returns or profits made. Had a Shark invested $35,000, their stake might have briefly increased in value during the post-show bump, but would have ultimately become worthless when the company folded.
By contrast, other Shark Tank investments like Scrub Daddy, Lori Greiner’s $200,000 deal turned into over $300 million in value, and Bombas, Daymond John’s multi-million-dollar sock empire, became legendary wins.
Investor’s Other Businesses
While Esso Watches didn’t secure a deal, the Sharks were building impressive portfolios at the time
- Mark Cuban: Tower Paddle Boards, Rugged Maniac, and BeatBox Beverages
- Lori Greiner: Scrub Daddy, Simply Fit Board, and Sleep Styler
- Daymond John: Bombas, Mission Belt, and Mo’s Bows
- Kevin O’Leary: Wicked Good Cupcakes, Bottle Breacher, and Lovepop
- Barbara Corcoran: Cousins Maine Lobster, Grace and Lace, and Daisy Cakes
Each Shark focused on scalable businesses with clear value propositions, something Esso Watches lacked.
SEE ALSO: HOW SHARKS EVALUATE A BUSINESS
Final Thoughts: A Teachable Moment Disguised as a Failure
Esso Watches is no longer in business, and its net worth in 2025 is officially $0. But Ryan Naylor’s journey is far from a loss. He turned a very public failure into a powerful lesson and found success in his original field, digital marketing.
The pitch may have gone sideways, but it showcased a truth every entrepreneur must learn, great branding can’t save a weak product.
“I’m grateful for the experience,” Naylor later shared. “It gave me clarity. I learned what not to do, and that’s just as valuable.”
For anyone watching from the sidelines, Esso Watches is more than a failed product, it’s a reminder that credibility, resilience, and pivoting fast matter far more than hype.
TL;DR
Esso Watches net worth in 2025 is $0 after the business shut down post-Shark Tank. Despite early sales, the product lacked credibility and failed to scale.
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