Send A Ball
NO DEAL
EPISODE SUMMARY
🕓 Air Date: February 5, 2010
Asking For:
$86,000 for 20%
Investor:
No Deal
Deal:
No Deal
PRODUCT SUMMARY
SENDaBALL is an internet-based greeting company that ships fully inflated play balls through the mail, personalized with messages like "Have a ball on your birthday" or "Bounce back soon".
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Background Story
SENDaBALL Inc. was founded by sisters Michele Sipolt Kapustka and Melisa Moroko, based in Chicago, Illinois. With a background in entrepreneurship and a desire to inject fun into people’s lives, Michele and Melisa embarked on their journey to create SENDaBALL. Operating out of Michele’s garage, SENDaBALL started as a small, homegrown business with humble beginnings. Michele, a mother of four, and Melisa, with three children of her own, turned their shared love for creativity and their knack for spotting opportunities into a family affair.
With their combined experience in managing households and nurturing entrepreneurial aspirations, the sisters saw potential in revolutionizing the traditional greeting card industry. The idea for SENDaBALL struck Michele while standing in line at the post office, holding a ball she was mailing for a friend. When a stranger offered her money to mail a ball for him, Michele realized they were onto something unique. She shared the encounter with Melisa, and together, they saw the potential to create a novel way of sending greetings. Their vision was to infuse joy and laughter into the act of sending and receiving messages by replacing conventional cards with fully inflated play balls.
Driven by their shared passion for spreading happiness and fueled by their entrepreneurial spirit, Michele and Melisa transformed their garage into SENDaBALL headquarters. With a dedicated team consisting of their seven children who pitch in after school, the sisters have been able to scale their business steadily, doubling their sales each year since its inception. SENDaBALL embodies the sisters’ belief in the power of simple gestures to brighten someone’s day, and their commitment to innovation and family values has propelled them forward on their mission to spread smiles, one ball at a time.
The Product
SENDaBALL offers a delightful alternative to traditional greeting cards by delivering fully inflated play balls personalized with messages directly to recipients’ mailboxes. The process is simple: customers visit the SENDaBALL website, select their desired ball design, customize it with a personalized message or greeting, and provide the recipient’s address. The fully inflated ball is then shipped through regular mail channels, arriving at the recipient’s doorstep just like an envelope, complete with stamps and address directly on the ball.
These playful balls serve as unique and memorable gifts for various occasions, such as birthdays, graduations, get-well wishes, and more. The personalized messages add a thoughtful touch, making each ball a cherished keepsake. Recipients are often surprised and delighted by the unexpected delivery, prompting many to order balls for others in return, thus driving word-of-mouth growth for SENDaBALL.
Customers can purchase SENDaBALLs directly from the company’s website, where they can choose from a variety of ball designs and customize them with their own messages. Prices typically range around $20 per ball, with shipping costs included in the total price. The straightforward ordering process and the novelty of receiving a ball in the mail contribute to the product’s appeal and popularity among customers seeking fun and unique ways to connect with loved ones.
How It Went
The company’s position before Shark Tank
SENDaBALL Inc. has demonstrated robust growth and a strong position in the market since its inception. With annual sales reaching $100,000 and doubling each year, the company has shown promising scalability and profitability. Despite operating out of Michele’s garage in Chicago, SENDaBALL has managed to efficiently fulfill orders and maintain customer satisfaction, thanks in part to the dedication of their team, which includes Michele, Melisa, and their seven children who pitch in after school. The company’s primary customers are individuals seeking unique and playful ways to send greetings for various occasions, such as birthdays, graduations, and get-well wishes.
SENDaBALL’s appeal lies in its novelty and personalized touch, attracting customers looking for memorable alternatives to traditional greeting cards. SENDaBALL’s distribution channels primarily involve direct-to-consumer sales through their website. Customers can easily place orders and customize their balls online, with shipping costs included in the total price. While the company does not currently have any disclosed partnerships or wholesalers, their direct-to-consumer model allows for greater control over the customer experience and branding.
In terms of funding, SENDaBALL has primarily relied on bootstrapping and self-funding to fuel its growth. However, with aspirations to mass-produce, automate operations, and move into a larger facility, the company sought additional funding through their appearance on Shark Tank, where they were seeking $86,000 for 20% equity. SENDaBALL’s financial health is reflected in its steady profits and manageable expenses, allowing the company to reinvest in operations and expansion. Structurally, SENDaBALL is a lean operation, with Michele and Melisa overseeing day-to-day operations and their children contributing to various aspects of the business, highlighting its family-centric approach and entrepreneurial spirit.
The Negotiations:
During their appearance on Shark Tank, SENDaBALL Inc. sought $86,000 for a 20% stake in their company. The sisters, Michele and Melisa, pitched their unique business model, highlighting their impressive growth and family-centric approach. Despite their charming presentation and promising numbers, the sharks raised concerns about scalability and the lack of proprietary technology. The negotiations took an unexpected turn when the sharks, one by one, expressed their doubts and ultimately declined to invest in SENDaBALL.
Barbara suggested exploring bank loans due to the uniqueness of their operation, while others commended the sisters’ entrepreneurial spirit but ultimately opted out of making a deal. Despite not securing a deal with the sharks, Michele and Melisa remained optimistic and determined to continue growing SENDaBALL. Their resilience and confidence in their business model shone through as they graciously accepted the sharks’ decisions and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
While the negotiations did not result in a partnership, the exposure from appearing on Shark Tank undoubtedly provided valuable visibility for SENDaBALL. Michele and Melisa left the tank with their heads held high, reaffirming their commitment to their mission of spreading joy and smiles through their playful greetings.
