What Happened To Safe Grabs After Shark Tank?
On "Shark Tank," entrepreneurs pitch their creations — like kitchen tools or food inventions — to big-name investors like Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, and Kevin O'Leary. Every season, anywhere between 35,000 and 40,000 potential contestants apply, so being selected is kind of a big deal. Cyndi Lee, the creator of Safe Grabs, knows this better than most — she auditioned for "Shark Tank" twice but was rejected.
According to Lee's website, she invented "multi-purpose silicone mats" to be used when handling hot cookware. The idea first came to her in 2014, when she realized she couldn't be the only person who continually burned their hands when taking something hot out of the microwave. In March 2016, she landed an opportunity to appear on an episode of "Steve Harvey" during its aptly titled "#PassionProject" segment. Lee not only won over Harvey and guest experts Heather Thomson and Amilya Antonetti, but she also walked away with $5,000 to continue creating Safe Grabs. She was also a winner of the Disney Tomorrowland New Product Contest (via Fox 26).
One Shark invested in Safe Grabs
Cyndi Lee revealed on her company's website that it wasn't until her third audition for "Shark Tank" that she found success. She went on to share she didn't let the first two rejections deter her — instead, she used each opportunity to refine and perfect her pitch. In fact, Lee believes that if she hadn't failed to secure her spot during those first two try-outs, she and Safe Grabs wouldn't have had their "Shark Tank" moment during Season 8, Episode 5 of the show.
While Lee didn't get precisely what she wanted, she did find an investor. When she made her appeal to the celebrity panel of investors, she asked for $75,000 in return for 12% of her Safe Grabs company. Only one Shark took the bait: Lori Greiner. However, Greiner wanted a larger stake of 30%. The two haggled and eventually settled on Greiner receiving 25%.
Safe Grabs' founder found more than success
Cyndi Lee's colorful, multipurpose Safe Grabs mats were available for purchase on QVC the day after her "Shark Tank" episode aired, and within 10 minutes, they sold out. But that was just the beginning. The silicone mats also began appearing in stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Home Depot. Within a year, Safe Grabs had created $2.4 million in sales for Lee and her backer. Speaking of Lee's investor, Lori Greiner shared on her website that within the first three years of Lee's appearance on "Shark Tank," Safe Grabs raked in $5 million. The company is seemingly still going strong and generates $4 million in yearly revenue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company posted on Facebook that it would help the medical community by "matching dollar for dollar to purchase up to 50,000 medical masks for hospitals in need."
What did Lee walk away from "Shark Tank" with besides a successful product? A renewed belief in herself. As she said on her website, "I wasn't so scared of the Sharks but more of the realization that millions of people would be watching me on Prime Time Television. I've made costly mistakes along the way but as Jack Ma says, 'mistakes are revenues later' as long as you learn from them!"
Is Safe Grabs still in business today?
In 2023, Safe Grabs is still going strong and, to date, it's one of the most successful products to appear on "Shark Tank." Safe Grabs are sold directly through the company's website, as well as on Amazon. Since appearing on the show, Lee has continued adding products to her brand besides its signature silicone mats. For a short time, oven mitts were available for purchase, and the company released themed kitchen towels for Christmas 2023.
Beyond offering new products, the minds behind Safe Grabs are also focused on expanding the applications of their classic fare. The company's Instagram account is very active and often shows new and unexpected ways to use its products, from a place to rest your hot curling iron to an oversized coaster for your hot cup of coffee. In addition to expanding her business in the role of C.E.O., it's clear that Lee is still grateful for her T.V. roots. In 2019, "Shark Tank" had the biggest reunion to date for its featured entrepreneurs. Lee attended and represented her business on the stage where it all began.
What's next for Safe Grabs?
It's clear that Safe Grabs is still excelling thanks to its original product and Lee's guidance as C.E.O. Since its development, though, it seems as though Lee has had varied success with the other products she's added to the brand. Consequently, it remains to be seen if Safe Grabs intends to introduce new products or attempt to expand further and in new directions.
According to Lee's own writing on her company's website, "the journey continues." She wrote, "[It's] full throttle now and working harder than ever to execute my dream! I want to thank God and everyone who believed and supported me through this unbelievable and challenging journey." It's readily apparent that Lee intends to continue Safe Grabs' success, and judging by how her self-described journey is going so far, she's sure to do well. As she says, "If you dare to dream at all, then DREAM BIG!"