In episode 10 of Shark Tank Season 15, an enthusiastic father is determined to make baby pampering and daycare more fun. Stewart Gold from Boca Raton, Florida, pitched 20% of his company for expertise, connections, and $75,000. The company Dingle Dangle, founded in 2019, brought fun solutions to keep babies entertained.
Every new dad in the USA faces problems changing his child’s diaper. Dingle Dangle got a deal on Shark Tank Season 15, Episode 10. The initial business losses, cash flow issues, and limited scaling opportunitiesmade every shark opt out of the deal.
However, Stewart made Kevin O’Leary change his mind at the last moment. What went down, and how did Stewart convince Kevin after he opted out? This update will tell you everything.
Contents
Dingle Dangle Net Worth
Dingle Dangle net worth is estimated to be $1 Million. The business has introduced more SKUs and taken advantage of the potential expansion of the toy market, which was estimated to be worth USD 24.34 billion in the US alone by 2022, to continue growing. Dingle Dangle managed to get a deal on Shark Tank and gain publicity from media outlets, and now they are in the competitive toy market. The company is still working toward growing its business, and its projected net worth is $1 million.
What Happened To Dingle Dangle After Shark Tank?
Kevin O’Leary offered Dingle Dangle a deal following their appearance on Shark Tank. The other sharks turned down an investment in the company. Kevin proposed $75,000 in exchange for 20% equity and a $1 royalty on each unit sold up until $300,000 is paid. Stewart haggled before accepting the deal. Dingle Dangle became well-known after its appearance on Shark Tank, and sparking discussions about the product helped boost its popularity.
The product was highlighted in several media outlets, which increased its visibility. As of 2024, the company is still in business, with its main office located in Boca Raton, Florida. Even in the very competitive toy sector, Dingle Dangle manages to stay afloat. Because there are so many well-known brands in this market, it is difficult for smaller businesses to exist. Nevertheless, the company is still operating and aiming to grow.
Did Dingle Dangle Get A Deal On The Shark Tank?
Yes, Dingle Dangle got a deal on Shark Tank. One of the co-founders, Stewart Gold, got an offer from Kevin O’Leary after showing their idea to the sharks. A $75,000 investment was made in exchange for a 20% equity share in the business, and until $300,000 is paid, a royalty of $1 per unit sold was due.
Even though the other sharks passed on the chance, Dingle Dangle managed to work out a deal with Kevin O’Leary. Due to the product’s favorable conclusion on Shark Tank, Dingle Dangle saw a surge in interest and sales as a result of extensive publicity.
| Shark(s) name | Offer | Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Kevin O’Leary | $75,000 | 20% of equity and royalty of $1 per unit sold in perpetuity | 20% of equity and royalty of $1 per unit sold up to $300,000 in total | Yes |
| Mark Cuban | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Daymond John | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Candace Nelson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Dingle Dangle Shark Tank Update
Dingle Dangle products
Dingle Dangle is a dad-centric company that values a father’s unique but caring bond with his child. The founder, Stewart Gold, had trouble changing his child’s diaper. Hence, the Dingle Dangle was formed in 2019. The product was patented in 2020, while the sales began in 2022.
Dingle Dangle sells a single flagship product that seems just like a rob attached to a headband. However, it is much more than that. It is a multi-purpose gift from a father to his lovely child. The rod on the headband works as a distraction, while it can be used as a mobile for cribs. It can be transformed into a rattle. The company did pay attention to the sensory details (the product is explained at the end of the update).
Founder and backstory
The company started after Stewart Gold was assigned to change his baby’s diapers. He did not know the job was as exhausting as fighting an alligator. After suffering this misery, Stewart developed the Dingle Dangle.
The Dingle Dangle prevents the child from screaming, wriggling, rolling, and kicking when you are changing their nappy. The product is a headband with a rod attached to it. The rod has Ollie the Octopus dangling on the edge. It keeps the child busy while the parent is changing the diaper.
The product design took a lot of effort from the founder before it was finalized in 2019. It was patented in 2020 to ensure no one copies the design. The operations and official sales started in 2022, and the company has been operating ever since.
Pitch and initial presentation
Stewart Gold entered the Shark Tank Stage with a lot of energy. He explained the difficulties that he had faced while changing his child’s diaper. The presentation included him fighting with an alligator to show how hard it felt to pamper a kid. Next, Stewart demonstrated how the Dingle Dangle worked. The product was a rod attached to a headband that would distract the infant while a parent changed the diaper. The product could be used as a mobile for cribs and a rattle. Stewart demanded $75,000 for 20% of equity in his company.
Discussion on pitch and offer
Kevin O’Leary had reservations regarding the product design immediately after the presentation ended. He questioned the dork design factor related to the product. Stewart took the remark positively and called himself a dork. He further stated that the Dingle Dangle was designed to look that way. Daymond John lightly mocked the product design by wearing it on his head and calling it a perfect accessory at a club.
Candace Nelson seemed interested in the design and asked if Stewart got the system patented. Stewart confirmed that the company filed a utility patent in 2020. The patent registered Dingle Dangle as a headband product with a removable rod that can be connected to other accessories.
Daymond John wanted to know how much the company made from selling its product. Stewart explained that Dingle Dangle’s first year of operation was 2022 when the company achieved sales figures of $67,000. The number would have been much more, but they ran out of inventory within the first two months.
Upon Kevin’s question regarding the selling price and cost per unit, Stewart said that each Dingle Dangle product has a selling price of $40, and the cost per unit lands at $15. The company earns a margin of $25 per piece. Kevin further inquired Stewart regarding the latest sales figures.
Stewart elaborated on the recent conditions where the company could make just $40,000 in 2023, but the current month was their best with $15,000 in sales. The company is expecting inflated sales in the remaining months. All the sharks seemed worried after hearing the sales numbers.
However, Candace kept showing interest in the concept. She asked if Stewart has worked on different case uses of the product. She had experience with the sensory development centers where occupational therapists had to keep kids busy when performing therapies.
Stewart explained that Dingle Dangle was developed with the sensory details in mind. The black and white spots, the baby-safe chime, and the swaging motion were designed to comfort babies (discussed later in the update). The company planned to market it as a sensory toy but decided to change its focus and introduce it as a gift from a father to a son.
Kevin kept exploring the sales, asking if the company would achieve $80,000 by the end of 2023. However, Stewart disagreed and said they are projecting to make sales of $185,000 this year. He further said that the company would make $10,000 to $15,000 this year and confirmed that he had taken nothing from the company to date.
Cuban seemed concerned regarding the cash flows and asked where the cash was going. Stewart explained that all the money from sales is invested in acquiring inventory. Kevin asked his final question about why Dingle Dangle needs a shark.
Stewart answered that Dingle Dangle needed marketing, expertise, and connection. The company had plans to license its products and use them as a toy that a father could gift his son with a sports league logo. He wanted Dingle Dangle to become a dad’s first gift to his son.
Cuban ended the interview by asking whether the business was making money or losing it. Stewart indicated that more sales will increase the profits. The increasing birth rates in the USA is an ample opportunity to capitalize on.
Negotiation and final deal
Kevin started by stating that the sharks have followers to help acquire customers for Dingle Dangle, but he could not relate to the product, so he is out. Cuban and Lori praised the product name for being fun, but the product seemed limited to a certain age period. These scaling issues forced Cuban and Lori to opt-out.
John praised the product but opted out because the business did not seem like it was for him. The last shark remaining, Candace said she was excited initially, but then Stewart started talking about licensing and leagues. She could not connect to Stewart’s plans and opted out.
Despite losing all the sharks, Stewart kept persuading them. He argued that the social media following can help Dingle Dangle earn customers and expand. He positively put forth the argument that the ‘new dad’ market segment is still unaddressed.
Kevin interrupted, saying he loved royalties as much as he loved children. He offered Stewart $75,000 for 20% of his equity and $1 royalty per unit in perpetuity. Upon negotiation, Kevin agreed to give $75,000 for 20% equity and $1 royalty per unit until the total royalty reaches $300,000.
Product availability
The Dingle Dangle is basically a headband with a road fixed to it. The road has Ollie the octopus handing on the rod. It keeps the baby busy while the parent is changing their diapers. The company patented the design to ensure it does not get copied.
The rod can be twisted out from the headband and screws to the crib or stroller as a mobile. It helps the baby take a nap, which is an added advantage. Snap the rod from the claw, twist out Ollie the Octopus, and replace it with Pete the Pufferfish. Twist the stem and insert the second end inside Pete to make it a rattle.
Dingle Dangle is not just a child distractor; it works as a mobile and a rattle. It has all the sensory aspects covered. The toy has black and white spots at the bottom, as these colors are the first ones a child can see. The baby-safe chime rattles at the optimal decibel levels to ensure comfort for the infants. The swaying motion never disturbs the baby.
Dingle Dangle is one of those infant or toddler accessories that address the real-life problem for the parents. The product is not revolutionary, but it is differently marketed. Stewart, the founder, says the product is developed as an ideal gift from a father to his child. The expansion is inevitable if the company successfully executes the sports league licensing and merchandising.
Dingle Dangle is available on the official store (www.dingledanglebaby.com) for $40 per unit. The deluxe set and gift bundles are priced differently but offer more value. The product is worth a purchase but not something life-changing.
Related posts:
Daniyal
Hi. I’m Daniyal Durrani. A CA-finalist, CPA-UK, and Master in Economics, with a decade-long business studies experience. I work as an Audit and Business Advisory Manager in a globally recognized accounting firm. I have been watching Shark Tank for a long time and have always admired the innovative business ideas. The revolutionary solutions to unaddressed day-to-day problems presented on the show used to impress me like no other thing on TV. Read more About me.
