Overview
This section will provide an overview of the founding of Touch Up Cup and its success after appearing on Shark Tank.
It will also detail the founders’ background and their pitch on the show.
Shark Tank Pitch
In 2020, Carson and Jason Grill appeared on season 12 of Shark Tank, asking for $150,000 for 10% equity.
The pitch was led by Carson, who impressed the Sharks with his business vocabulary and composure. The cup design was a bestseller, but their other patented containers were also part of the deal.
However, after the entrepreneurs admitted that neither of them worked on the startup full-time, most Sharks backed out. Nonetheless, Blake Mycoskie stood his ground and offered $150,000 for 17.5%.
Success After Shark Tank
After appearing on Shark Tank, Touch Up Cup received around 40,000 visitors and over 5,000 orders on their website.
The company eventually added new products such as a food-saving product for bagels, muffins, and donuts. They also increased their average order value from $15 to $25.
Touch Up Cup can be purchased on Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowes. The business was featured on Good Morning America’s “Steal and Deals” segment and got another big bump in orders.
So far, the products are receiving mostly positive reviews with 68% of customers giving them five stars on Amazon.
Touch Up Cup made $1 million in revenue for 2021 and they were forecasting sales of over $3 million for 2022.
As of 2024, Touch Up Cup is worth $3 million.
The Grills have been getting calls from Australia and New Zealand from people who want to rep the product. Touch Up Cup is booming and Carson is balancing his school work along with running the business.
Founders’ Background
Touch Up Cup was founded by father and son duo, Jason and Carson Grill.
Jason is a medical salesman, while Carson is a high school student who is expected to graduate in 2024. Carson has been a fan of Shark Tank for as long as he can remember, which inspired him to start his own business.
The idea for Touch Up Cup came to Carson when he was just 13 years old, after he helped his dad do some touch-up painting in their house. They realized that the leftover paint was rusty and smelly, and should be thrown out.
This inspired Carson to create a product that could conserve paint for future use.
Founding Touch Up Cup
In 2016, the Grills founded DZ Innovations, Inc. to start production of Touch Up Cup.
The product is a polypropylene container with a silicon seal that can store paint for up to ten years. Jason took care of patenting and public relations, while Carson was focused on daily operations.
After getting a manufacturing partner in Nashville, Tennessee, the product became available in 4,000 stores.
Under DZ Innovations, the entrepreneurs also made unique containers for bagels, muffins, and donuts. With this, they earned $220,000 in two years.
Lessons From Touch Up Cup’s Success
Based on the Shark Tank episode about Touch Up, here are three practical tips for aspiring young entrepreneurs:
1. Leverage personal experience to innovate
Carson and his father, Jason, invented the Touch-Up Cup out of a necessity they personally experienced. They identified a common problem with paint storage and created a practical solution.
Entrepreneurs should look into their own experiences and challenges to find inspiration for innovative products or services that address real needs.
2. Develop strong partnerships
The father-son duo leveraged strategic partnerships to scale their business. They collaborated with a recognizable brand in painters’ tape, which helped them gain significant market penetration.
Building strong partnerships can provide entrepreneurs with resources, market access, and credibility, aiding in business growth and expansion.
3. Be prepared and knowledgeable
Carson demonstrated a strong understanding of his business, including key metrics, sales data, and the manufacturing process. His preparedness and knowledge impressed the sharks and helped secure investment.
Aspiring entrepreneurs should thoroughly understand their business, market, and financials to confidently present their ideas and respond to potential investors’ questions effectively.
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