"A national brand" - When Shark Tank investor Mark Cuban offered a deal to Dude Wipes

Shark Tank season 7 featured a pitch from three entrepreneurs who owned Dude Wipes. The product is a personal care brand for men which is better for the skin. The company is made by best friends Sean Riley, Brian Wilkin, Ryan Meegan, and Jeff Klimkowski, who all hail from Chicago.

Dude Wipes are flushable personal wipes specifically made for men. They gained nationwide attention after appearing on the show. In the most recent episode of season 16, the creators did a segment about their update and how the company is doing.

They had secured a deal with investor Mark Cuban for $300,000, which was 25% of their company's total. Sharing about their journey, the entrepreneurs said,

"Nine years ago when we appeared on Shark Tank, we were just some dudes in an apartment really starting from the bottom. But today, Dude Wipes is a national brand in households everywhere."

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Shark Tank entrepreneurs from Dude Wipes update about their business

Dude Wipes focuses on biodegradable wipes that are an alternative to toilet paper. It was launched to improve personal hygiene for men and look after their skin. Initially, they had funded the company themselves. Soon, they expanded to retail consumers and then appeared on the show.

They had initially sought $300,000 for 10% equity. When they were interacting with Kevin O'Leary, entrepreneurs told him that they had $300,000 till now in sales but were projecting over a million for the next year. This is because they had just landed a $2-3 million contract nationwide with Kroger.

Initially, Mark Cuban had said that he would be opting out of the deal. However, when Robert Herjavec and Kevin O'Leary made their offers, he decided to be back in and Dude Wipes accepted his partnership. Updating about the current health of the company, the entrepreneurs said,

"Today, we employ over 200 people. Since Shark Tank, we have in over 40,000 retailers across America. The year before Shark Tank, our sales were $250,000. In the nine years since we pitched, we have done over half a billion dollars in sales."

Continuing, they said,

"Dude Wipes being a Shark Tank success story, it's something we take a lot of pride in. And we have a lot of gratitude to our Shark Tank fans and Mark Cuban's mentorship. Our advice to anybody watching Shark Tank is just to get out there and do it and give your dream a shot. Because if three guys like us sitting on a couch can do it, so can you."

Following their appearance on the show, the company received widespread growth. With a demand surplus, they expanded their product line into DUDE Shower Wipes, DUDE Face Wipes, and DUDE Powder.

They have made their products available in various retail stores across the country such as Walmart, Target, Walgreens, and Kroger. They also sell directly to the consumer through their website and online through Amazon.

Their branding tactics include humor and practicality that have supported them in carving out a niche in the male grooming and hygiene industry. One of the unique selling points that DUDE Wipes focuses in their commitment to the environment and sustainability.

Unlike traditional wet wipes that might clog the sewage systems, their products are designed to break down much more easily. They have transformed their company into a thriving business with the support of Mark Cuban.

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Season 16 episodes of Shark Tank drop out weekly on ABC at 8 PM Eastern Time on Fridays. Later, they can be streamed via Hulu.