"Felt really validating": When H2BAR landed a hefty offer from Shark Tank's Mark Cuban

In February 2024, sisters Adrienne Vendetti Hodges and Stephanie Vendetti Thomas took the Shark Tank stage with a firm that was formed out of personal hardship. Redheads are a market sector that big firms frequently disregard, and How to Be a Redhead (H2BAR) makes beauty items especially for them.

As the sisters sought $350,000 for a 10% stake in their business, they were in the fortunate position of receiving proposals from several sharks.

But perhaps even more valuable than the deal they secured with billionaire Mark Cuban was the validation of their business concept.

"We definitely teared up watching our episode," Stephanie said after the show aired.

Elaborating:

"It just felt really validating. Some people said our idea to start a beauty brand for redheads was crazy, but no one on 'Shark Tank' thought we were crazy. They really loved and understood our idea."

This moment of affirmation represented the culmination of a journey that began in 2011 when the sisters launched their website to create an empowering space for redheads everywhere—a community they themselves had wished for while growing up.

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H2BAR’s journey to the Shark Tank

Growing up as redheads in Providence, Rhode Island, the Vendetti sisters faced unique beauty challenges. Their fair skin burned easily, standard cosmetics rarely matched their complexion, and they struggled to find products that wouldn't irritate their sensitive skin.

"I remember always struggling to find a concealer that was light enough for my complexion or brow products to fill in my brows; meanwhile, Adrienne would test out new products only to break out really, really badly," Stephanie recalled.

While Adrienne embraced her red hair from an early age, Stephanie admitted:

"I think growing up that I just wanted to fit in."

She bleached her hair blonde until her sophomore year of college.

Their shared experiences at the University of Miami changed everything. The campus diversity helped Stephanie realize that "uniqueness is something to embrace," while Adrienne found herself "surrounded by people who were looking to start their own businesses."

In Season 15, Episode 14 of Shark Tank, the sisters confidently introduced themselves as "natural redheads" who were "fierce." They explained how their beauty company addressed the specific needs of redheads, offering everything from mascara to hair products.

Initially skeptical about the market size, the sharks perked up when the sisters projected $1.1 million in sales for 2024. This impressive figure triggered competing offers.

Shark Tank's Mark Cuban offered $350,000 for 15% equity, focusing on helping them build a lifestyle brand and grow their community. Kevin O'Leary countered with $350,000 for 10% equity plus a royalty deal: $2.50 per unit until his investment was recouped, then $1 per unit forever.

After some negotiation, the sisters chose Cuban's straightforward equity deal, valuing his expertise in community building over O'Leary's lower equity percentage with ongoing royalties.

H2BAR offers a range of products designed specifically for the unique features of redheads. Their line includes the "Finally Have Brows" gel, "Finally Have Lashes" mascara, and their newest addition, the "Finally Bright Redhead Concealer."

"We created H2BAR so that redheads wouldn't have to go through what we did growing up, wasting all this money on products that won't work for you or your features," Stephanie explained.

The sisters understand a critical fact many others miss: redheads often have a genetic variant that makes their skin more sensitive than others. This insight drives their product development.

"We often hear people say that catering to redheads must be a small market, but it's actually a huge market, representing millions of people," Adrienne noted.

Adding enthusiastically:

"We are really excited to prove that this is a market worth investing in."

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H2BAR’s success beyond Shark Tank

The "Shark Tank effect" hit H2BAR with full force. After their episode aired, the company saw a stunning 544% increase in sales and a massive spike in website traffic.

Unlike many unprepared entrepreneurs who appear on the show, the sisters handled the surge flawlessly. Stephanie told Shark Tank Recap:

"Being the prepared female entrepreneurs they were, they handled the sudden surge in sales with ease and shipped out all orders as quickly as possible"

By January 2025, H2BAR celebrated 14 years in business with an enthusiastic Instagram announcement. Fans worldwide responded with stories of how the brand had impacted their lives.

The sisters confirmed their deal with Cuban did indeed close after their appearance on Shark Tank, and they immediately put his investment to work. They began a rebrand focusing on more neutral products suitable for redheads and expanded their retail presence.

Though their dream of being stocked in Sephora, Ulta, and Target remains a work in progress, several H2BAR products are now available online at Walmart.

The brand's community continues to grow through consistent social media engagement, podcast episodes (including one with award-winning actor Julianne Moore), and in-person events like their March 2025 popup in Dallas—Cuban's home city.

"At the end of the day we created our business to help people to feel empowered, confident, and beautiful," Adrienne said, reflecting on the thank-you letters they regularly receive from customers.

From two sisters who once struggled with their unique features to successful entrepreneurs championing redhead beauty, the H2BAR story demonstrates how powerful it can be when business meets personal passion. As Adrienne advises:

"Life is too short to worry about what others think of you or to waste your time doing something that you don't enjoy, so pursue your passions and follow your dreams."

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Shark Tank airs on Fridays at 8 PM ET on ABC, with all episodes available on Hulu.