The Skinny Mirror
NO DEAL
EPISODE SUMMARY
🕓 Air Date: October 23, 2015
Asking For:
$200,000 for 20%
Investor:
No Deal
Deal:
No Deal
PRODUCT SUMMARY
The Skinny Mirror provides a slimming reflection to help users feel good about their bodies.
WATCH HERE
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Background Story
Belinda Jasmine, the founder of Skinny Mirror, hails from Sand City, California. The inspiration for the product came when she realized her regular mirror was adding perceived weight to her reflection, leading to body insecurities. Being an active person and health advocate, this revelation sparked the idea for a mirror that could positively influence body image.
Belinda’s mission was to help women feel good about their bodies by providing a mirror that offers a subtle and believable slimming effect. Despite facing criticism for potentially promoting an unhealthy lifestyle, Belinda believes in the product’s potential to boost confidence and self-esteem.
The Product
The Skinny Mirror is designed to set a new standard for self-perception. It claims to offer a revolutionary slimming reflection, creating a subtle and believable effect to help users feel better about their bodies.
The mirrors are intended for use in retail spaces, particularly clothing stores and hotels. Belinda emphasizes that the mirror is not meant to deceive but rather to enhance customers’ satisfaction with their appearance.
The consumer model, priced at $165, is showcased on the show, with the founder highlighting that the value lies not just in the physical mirror but in the intention and branding of the product.
How It Went
The company’s position before Shark Tank
Belinda reveals that Skinny Mirror has sold approximately 350 units, generating a total revenue of $85,000. The product is primarily targeted at clothing stores and hotels. However, concerns were raised during the pitch about potential transparency issues, as some retailers reportedly requested the removal of Skinny Mirror’s logo to keep the mirror’s slimming effect a secret.
Despite the debate on the ethical implications of the product, a market study conducted in Sweden suggests that women using Skinny Mirror bought almost 20% more clothes, were more satisfied with their bodies, and perceived themselves as two to three sizes smaller than in reality. This study is presented as a testament to the positive impact the product can have on consumer behavior and self-esteem.
The Negotiations:
The negotiation takes an unexpected turn as all the sharks express discomfort with the concept of the Skinny Mirror. While some acknowledge the psychological impact mirrors can have on self-perception, they raise concerns about potential deception, especially in a retail setting. Belinda is passionate about her product, emphasizing its positive intentions and citing the market study’s findings.
Despite this, all sharks decline to invest, with Kevin explicitly forbidding others from doing so. The Sharks argue that the mirror promotes falsehood and could lead to dissatisfied customers when they realize the disparity between the reflection in the Skinny Mirror and reality. In the end, Belinda leaves the tank without a deal, defending her product’s mission to boost self-confidence. The sharks, however, remain unconvinced, expressing reservations about the ethical implications and potential risks associated with Skinny Mirror.
