"Going to be huge" –When Shark Tank's Lori Greiner won over Nail Pak founder Barbara Lampugnale

In the midst of a heated Shark Tank negotiation, Lori Greiner's conviction cut through the chaos.

"I think that product's going to be huge," she told her fellow Sharks.

She announced confidently:

"It's going to be everywhere."

The product in question was Nail Pak, an innovative all-in-one nail care solution that combined polish with a built-in file and remover. Its creator, Barbara Lampugnale, had already shown remarkable determination – she'd sold her engagement ring to fund the venture and invested $300,000 of her own money into Duality Cosmetics, Nail Pak's parent company.

The journey to the Tank wasn't straightforward. Lampugnale told Women's Wear Daily:

"For Season 3, they contacted me asking if I had product yet — when I hung up the phone, I started making calls to assemble an amazingly talented team and three weeks later, I had my Nail Pak"

Her persistence would lead to one of the show's most competitive bidding wars.

How did Nail Pak fare on Shark Tank?

Lampugnale's path to Shark Tank showed remarkable persistence. After missing out on Season 1 and declining Season 2 without a ready product, she finally landed her spot in Season 3. The timing couldn't have been more crucial – her husband's business had struggled, their home faced foreclosure, and she had six children to support.

Walking into the Tank, Lampugnale sought $50,000 for 20% of Nail Pak. The numbers caught the Sharks' attention: each unit cost $3 to produce and retailed for $14.99. But distribution had lagged while she focused on patents and inventory.

The pitch sparked an unusual scenario – Sharks trying to team up. Kevin O'Leary attempted to partner first with Greiner, then with Daymond John. But Greiner had other plans. She jumped in solo with a $50,000 offer for 51%, promising QVC exposure. After some negotiation, they settled at 40%.

"I can't believe it's actually happening. And when I say that I mean it's going to change our lives," Lampugnale told WTNH News8 after the episode aired.

The QVC debut proved her right:

"Within our eight-minute segment, we sold through our inventory!" she reported to Women's Wear Daily.

The momentum continued. A Season 4 update revealed Nail Pak had landed in 500 Ulta Beauty stores and their online platform. The company had sold 50,000 bottles, generating $750,000 in sales.

"I don't know where I'd be without 'Shark Tank,'" Lampugnale reflected.

Elaborating:

"Quite literally, it's more than just a TV show. It's sincerely something that has made my dreams come true."

What happened to Nail Pak after Shark Tank?

By 2014, the story took a twist. Lampugnale rebranded Nail Pak as Grace Nail Company, offering a similar product. Despite early success, both ventures eventually went quiet. The Grace Nail Company's social media fell silent by 2019, and its website, while still online, no longer sells products.

Lampugnale's entrepreneurial spirit remains undimmed. As she told Patch in 2012, "I'm thinking of an idea right now. I'm always looking for a simpler, better way to do things." While Nail Pak's story didn't end as Greiner predicted, it showcases how even promising Shark Tank deals can take unexpected turns in the complex world of retail beauty products.

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