Happi Floss
NO DEAL
EPISODE SUMMARY
🕓 Air Date: March 31, 2023
Asking For:
$200,000 for 10%
Investor:
No Deal
Deal:
No Deal
PRODUCT SUMMARY
Happi Floss is the world’s first flosser designed for true compostability, made of layers of post-consumer recycled paper, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic flossers.
WATCH HERE
IN A RUSH?
Click these to jump to the section you want to read.
Background Story
Dr. Staci Whitman, a board-certified pediatric dentist from Portland, Oregon, pitched her product, Happi Floss, on Shark Tank. She aimed to secure $200,000 in exchange for a 10% equity stake in her company. Dr. Whitman was motivated to create Happi Floss after a startling encounter with plastic flossers littering the shoreline during a dental conference in Hawaii. She realized that the oral healthcare industry was a $5 billion market, with flossers making up a significant portion of it.
Dr. Whitman’s mission was to provide an eco-friendly solution for flossing that appealed to environmentally conscious consumers. She recognized the growing concern about plastic waste, especially single-use plastic flossers that take centuries to break down, potentially releasing toxins into the environment. Parents, in particular, were hesitant to use plastic flossers on their children, which led her to develop Happi Floss.
The Product
Happi Floss is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic flossers. It is made from layers of post-consumer recycled paper, ensuring it is fully biodegradable and breaks down in less than a year.
This innovative product eliminates the need for petroleum-based plastics in dental floss, reducing environmental harm and promoting oral health.
The flossers are designed in a format similar to traditional plastic flossers, making them user-friendly and accessible to people of all ages. They provide an effective means of cleaning between teeth and preventing cavities and gum disease.
How It Went
The company’s position before Shark Tank
At the time of the pitch, Happi Floss was in the early stages of development. Dr. Whitman had utility patents pending in the U.S., Europe, and Canada for her product. The company had conducted a successful crowdfunding campaign and had received pre-sales orders, accumulating approximately $100,000 in funding. However, the product was not yet available in the market.
Happi Floss’s main challenge was manufacturing and scaling up production. Dr. Whitman acknowledged that she needed help with this aspect and sought a partnership to make Happi Floss readily available to consumers.
The Negotiations:
The negotiations for Happi Floss did not result in a deal. The Sharks raised concerns about the dental industry’s competitive landscape and the challenges of manufacturing dental products. They also questioned the scalability and distribution of the product. While Dr. Whitman had patents pending and had achieved some pre-sales, the Sharks were skeptical about her ability to navigate the complex dental industry.
They suggested that licensing the product to an established dental equipment manufacturer might be a more viable option. Dr. Whitman, however, was determined to take a direct-to-consumer approach and maintain control over her eco-friendly vision. Ultimately, all Sharks decided not to invest in Happi Floss. They expressed concerns about the early stage of the business, the lack of a product in the market, and the competitive landscape.
Despite not securing a deal, Dr. Whitman remained optimistic about the environmental impact and oral health benefits of her product and continued her mission to promote Happi Floss.
