"Barbara is amazing" When Nardo's Natural won over Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran

In 2012, four brothers with a passion for natural skincare entered the Shark Tank seeking $75,000 for a 12% stake in their family business. While most Sharks swam away, Barbara Corcoran saw potential in both their products and their family dynamic. The investment proved transformative, as Kyle Mastronardo later revealed:

"Barbara is amazing. Not only does she have a top-notch personal network that she worked on our behalf, and a great new business development team, but she also connected us with the other Shark Tank businesses she invested in, to get some sales activities going."

This partnership catapulted Nardo's Natural from a small Tampa Bay startup funded by one brother selling his car into a multi-million dollar enterprise. Their appearance on Season 3 showcased how natural ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter could revolutionize skincare – and how one Shark's belief can change everything.

What happened during Nardo’s Natural’s Shark Tank pitch?

The Nardo's Natural story began when DJ Mastronardo couldn't stop raving about coconut oil's moisturizing benefits. The four brothers – Danny, DJ, Kyle, and Keith "KJ" – pooled their talents to create a natural skincare line free from harsh chemicals. DJ explained to the Tampa Bay Times in 2012:

"Because it's an organic line, we didn't have to finagle with chemistry or chemicals or preservatives"

Their initial investment was modest – just $6,000 from the eldest brother, who sold his car to fund their dream.

Each brother brought unique skills to the table. Danny handled marketing and PR, DJ contributed his knowledge of organics, Kyle managed sales, and KJ oversaw the finances. This division of labor proved crucial to their early success.

The brothers entered Shark Tank with confidence but realistic expectations. DJ admitted:

"I never thought we would get on it. I just thought I was going to end up being on their perpetual mailing list."

Their pitch emphasized their $30,000 in existing sales and ambitious projection of $4.8 million for the year. The brothers stressed their use of locally sourced ingredients from the Tampa Bay area.

One by one, the Sharks declined. Mark Cuban suggested a business loan instead of a partner. Kevin O'Leary, Daymond John, and Robert Herjavec all followed suit with rejections.

Then came Barbara Corcoran's surprising offer: the full $75,000, but for a steep 50% ownership stake. After some negotiation, the brothers accepted, recognizing the value of her expertise over equity percentages.

The impact of the Shark Tank's appearance was immediate. Their website received over one million hits within 24 hours after the episode aired. The brothers later renegotiated their deal with Corcoran when they committed to working on the business full-time after Shark Tank.

Danny revealed on "The Mentors" podcast in 2019 that they had expanded dramatically:

"We've turned it into a self-running machine. Our biggest source of revenue now is private label, where we do the manufacturing for others and put their label on it."

By 2019, Forbes reported Nardo's Natural had become a multi-million dollar company. They expanded beyond their initial products to offer cleansers, lip balms, men's skincare, bath products, and even cosmetics.

Perseverance in the face of tragedy for Nardo’s Natural

Success came with heartbreak. In October 2013, KJ Mastronardo died in a tragic accident, never witnessing much of the company's growth. The surviving brothers told "ABC Action News" that his passing only strengthened their determination to succeed, knowing he would be with them in spirit.

They honored his memory with a tribute video on the company's YouTube channel and continued building the business they had all started together.

Today, years after their Shark Tank appearance, Nardo's Natural generates approximately $5 million in revenue, according to ZoomInfo. The company sells directly through its website and Amazon, reaching customers in all 50 states.

The brothers have expanded to nearly 1,100 employees with their own chemist and manufacturing facility. They've helped over 250 brands by sharing their business knowledge and manufacturing capabilities.

Their commitment to giving back extends beyond business. In 2022, they participated in the Toys for Tots program for the fifth consecutive year. They also speak at universities to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Danny shared their approach to working together as siblings:

"There are certainly disagreements but they only fuel the business in a positive way. I think because we are brothers, we can be truly honest with each other, and if someone has a bad idea, we let them know it!"

This honesty, combined with their focus on customer service, has been central to their success. As DJ explained:

"Our company delegates time to personally write to customers. We make it our mission to provide smooth customer service without any difficulty in communication."

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You can watch Shark Tank on ABC every Friday at 8 PM ET, with streaming available on Hulu.