Are you curious about what happened to Flaus after its pitch on Shark Tank? Samantha Cox, a 32-year-old attorney, left her secure corporate job to create the world’s first electric flosser and improve how we think about oral hygiene.
In this article, we’ll explore Samantha’s inspiring journey, her Shark Tank experience, and where Flaus stands today.
How Flaus Started: A Dental Crisis and a New Idea
Samantha Cox was a mergers and acquisitions attorney at a top law firm in New York City. Despite her career success, Samantha felt unfulfilled and wanted to do something that would make a difference.
Her journey took a turn after a routine dental check-up, where she discovered she had nine cavities. Her dentist told her the cavities were mostly because she didn’t floss regularly.
“Only 30% of Americans floss daily,” Samantha shared during her Shark Tank pitch. “I was part of the 70% who didn’t, and it cost me.” Samantha loved using her electric toothbrush because it was easy and effective, and she thought, “Why isn’t there an electric flosser to make flossing as easy as brushing?”
When she couldn’t find any alternatives to traditional flossers, Samantha decided to create a solution herself. She founded Flaus, an electric flosser designed to make flossing easier and more appealing.
Leaving Her Job to Pursue a Dream
Leaving a stable, high-paying job wasn’t easy, but Samantha was determined to follow her passion. She invested her own savings to develop the first prototypes of Flaus and did extensive market research.
To raise more funds and create buzz, she launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which raised $270,611. This success gave her the confidence to quit her job and focus on Flaus full-time.
Samantha then decided to pitch Flaus on Shark Tank to get more funding and mentorship from the Sharks. She asked for $250,000 in exchange for 5% equity in her company, valuing Flaus at $5 million.
The Shark Tank Pitch: A Defining Moment
Samantha entered Shark Tank in Season 15 with a clear vision. “Flaus is the world’s first electric flosser,” she began, “designed to make flossing as easy and effective as using an electric toothbrush.”
She demonstrated how Flaus works, showing its ergonomic design, recyclable floss heads, and how it delivers 18,000 sonic vibrations per minute to clean teeth more effectively.
The Sharks were interested but also cautious. Kevin O’Leary, known as “Mr. Wonderful,” questioned whether there was a big enough market for the product.
Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban were unsure if people would change their flossing habits and decided not to invest. Lori even said, “It’s a better mousetrap for some, but it’s not an investment for me.”
But Samantha’s passion for Flaus caught the attention of guest Shark Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes. She offered Samantha $250,000 for 8% equity, highlighting her experience in building brands and helping them grow.
“I will provide operational support, strategic support, and emotional support,” Candace said. Daymond John also made an offer of $250,000 for 10% equity, suggesting he could help with licensing deals.
After thinking over her options, Samantha chose Candace’s offer, preferring a partnership without the strings attached to Kevin O’Leary’s royalty-based deal.
“Hearing Candace say she believed in me meant the world,” Samantha said later. “It was incredibly validating to have someone recognize the passion I have for building this company.”
What Happened to Flaus After Shark Tank?
Appearing on Shark Tank was a turning point for Flaus. The show brought a big boost in sales and interest in the product. Samantha took advantage of this by offering special Shark Tank bundles on her website and lowering the Flaus kit price from $99 to $79 to attract more customers.
After the show, Flaus continued to grow and innovate. They introduced new products, like a version for kids called “Flaus Kid,” to encourage better flossing habits in young children.
With Candace Nelson’s help in branding and marketing, Flaus expanded into new retail partnerships and continued to build its customer base.
Today, Flaus is still in business and doing well. The company has three granted design patents and two more pending, which help protect its unique product features in the market.
Flaus has stayed ahead of the competition by improving its product and focusing on sustainability with recyclable and biodegradable materials.
The company’s performance has been strong, with $900,000 in sales in the first year and a 33% gross profit margin. Samantha’s decision to sell directly to consumers through the website has been a smart move, allowing Flaus to keep its brand identity strong and maintain good profit margins.
Did Samantha Cox Make the Right Choice with Candace Nelson?
Looking back, it seems Samantha made a great decision to partner with Candace Nelson. With Candace’s guidance, Flaus has grown steadily and continues to do well in the oral care market.
The company’s value has increased, and their innovative product has won over both customers and experts.
By lowering the price and offering subscriptions for replacement floss heads, Samantha made Flaus more affordable and attractive to a wider audience.
Expanding to serve both adults and children has also helped Flaus reach more customers and set the company up for long-term success.
Samantha Cox’s story from a corporate lawyer to a successful entrepreneur is a powerful example of how personal challenges can lead to great opportunities. By turning her dental scare into a successful business, Samantha has changed her life and improved the dental health of many customers.
Flaus is more than just a new product; it represents Samantha’s vision to change how we think about flossing and oral care.
With continued support from Candace Nelson and the visibility gained from Shark Tank, Flaus is on a promising path. As Samantha said, “We’re here to make flossing fun and to turn it from a dreaded task into a delightful daily habit.”
If you’re interested in trying Flaus, you can visit their website to take advantage of special offers and see why this electric flosser is getting so much attention!
