Overview
On season 11 of Shark Tank, Cassidy Crowley, along with her mother Lori, presented a unique 2-in-1 teether toy and spoon for babies called The Baby Toon. They secured a deal with Lori Greiner, and since then, The Baby Toon has become a successful business.
This article will provide background information on Cassidy Crowley, how she established The Baby Toon, their Shark Tank appearance, and what has happened to the company since.
Shark Tank Appearance
During their appearance on Shark Tank, Cassidy and her mother Lori Crowley impressed the sharks with their product and Cassidy’s entrepreneurial spirit. While some sharks were not convinced it was a fit for them, Lori Greiner saw potential in Cassidy and offered $50,000 for 50% of the company.
After Shark Tank
After getting what they wanted, the Crowleys have done very well to grow the business. Though Lori owns half of the firm, Cassidy is still considered the current CEO of The Baby Toon. The business got a licensing deal with Munchkin Baby Products and is sold on Amazon.com.
Because of this, their multi-functional spoon became one of the top products featured on Munchkin’s website. It is also available to buy on Amazon and various retailers in Hawaii and the United States.
As of 2024, The Baby Toon is worth $1 million, which is ten times higher than its valuation before Shark Tank. The company’s success can be attributed to Cassidy’s innovative idea and her family’s support in turning it into a successful business.
Cassidy Crowley Background
Cassidy Crowley is the young entrepreneur who founded The Baby Toon. At the age of seven, she participated in a science fair and noticed a common problem with baby products.
The idea for the product came about when her baby sister kept accidentally poking herself with a traditional spoon. Cassidy wanted to create a spoon that was safe and gentle for babies to use.
She was concerned about hard spoons that could hurt a baby’s gums and designed an item that was 100% silicone, which also turned out to be the perfect material for making a baby-proof toy.
The Baby Toon is made of 100% soft silicone and has no sharp edges, making it perfect for teething babies. It also has a rectangular body that is easy for babies to grasp and self-feed. To prevent the spoon from being thrown on the floor, a pacifier clip can be attached to it and then clipped onto the baby’s shirt.
Cassidy’s family resides in Honolulu, Hawaii, and her parents, sisters, and father have all helped her turn her idea into a real business.
Establishing Baby Toon
Cassidy came up with The Baby Toon, a multi-purpose tool that’s both a teething toy and a feeding handle. She got help from her parents to sell their product for $15 each. However, Cassidy was becoming too busy for her age, and she wanted to change that.
Lessons From The Baby Toon’s Success
From the Shark Tank episode featuring 10-year-old entrepreneur Cassidy Crowley and her Baby Toon product, here are three practical tips for aspiring young entrepreneurs:
1. Solve a real problem
Cassidy identified a genuine problem when she noticed her baby sister might hurt herself with the traditional design of a spoon. This observation led her to invent the Baby Toon, a safer and easier-to-handle spoon for babies.
Do this: Start by identifying everyday challenges, particularly those you or people close to you encounter. Solutions that address real-world problems can lead to innovative products or services that meet actual needs.
2. Prototype and iterate
Cassidy’s journey began with a prototype she created for a school science fair, which later evolved into the final product. During her pitch, she discussed adjusting the “durometer” of the silicone to enhance the product, indicating her ongoing efforts to refine and improve the Baby Toon.
Lesson: Don’t hesitate to create initial versions of your idea, even if they are not perfect. Use these prototypes to gather feedback and make improvements. Being open to refining your product based on real user experiences is crucial to developing a successful offering.
3. Leverage personal story and authenticity
Cassidy effectively communicated her inspiration and the story behind the Baby Toon during her pitch. She expressed her motivation to inspire other kids and her aspirations to innovate from a young age, adding a layer of authenticity and relatability to her pitch.
Do this: When presenting your business, weave in your personal story and the genuine motivations behind your idea. This can resonate with your audience (customers, investors, partners) and create a memorable connection. Authenticity is a powerful tool in building trust and rapport.
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