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Season 6 Episode 17 of Shark Tank saw Naushad Ali seek $110,000 for a 15% stake in his product, Drain Strain, designed to unclog drains. After most Sharks withdrew from consideration, Naushad was left with Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec. Both presented their offers and downplayed the other to sway Naushad's decision. Kevin claimed Robert was the like the "discount pilot fish."
"I'm worth 10% more because I just am. If you want the discount pilot fish, take the deal, all right?... He'll always be dependent on the big shark," Kevin remarked.
Despite Kevin's appeal, Naushad finalized a deal with Robert Herjavec, who offered $110,000 for a 10% stake, contingent on securing a licensing deal. It countered Kevin's proposal, which asked for 20% of Drain Strain in exchange for the same investment.
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Eventually, Drain Strain's deal with Robert closed. However, with the Shark Tank investor's help and guidance, Drain Strain found its way onto shelves at 1200 Home Depot stores. In Season 8, a segment featured an update on Naushad's business, where the founder revealed that former Shark Kevin Harrington also joined their team.
In 2023, the company expanded its product line and launched Drain Buddy, and currently, has over $5 million in lifetime sales.
"Doesn't seem fair to me" — Shark Tank investor Robert slams Kevin's offer to Drain Strain
Drain Strain's Shark Tank presentation impressed the investors, as it proposed a convenient and practical solution to unclogging drains without getting one's hands dirty. After the Sharks examined some prototypes, they discovered that the product was not in production yet. However, it was patented. Naushad further explained that the product needed a change every 4-6 weeks.
"Sharks, if you invest in my company, I promise to work hard every day to make sure your money doesn't go down the drain," Naushad said.
Kevin saw potential in the product and offered $110,000 in exchange for a 20% share of the company, contingent on securing a licensing deal from a manufacturer of Naushad's choice. Kevin believed Drain Strain could make an impact and help him earn money. Consequently, he insisted that partnering with him would be wiser than accepting offers from the other Sharks.
Mark Cuban made things easier for Naushad by stepping out of the discussion and expressing disinterest in collaborating with inventors, who he claimed focused more on invention than running a business.
Soon after, Barbara Corcoran backed out, advising Naushad to take Kevin's offer.
"I think you're gonna be nuts selling this as an individual product. I'm out," she said.
Lori Greiner followed suit, expressing concern over the product's complications. After three Sharks backed out of making an offer, Robert was the sole Shark Tank investor left to announce his decision.
However, before he presented his offer, he downplayed Kevin's, drawing attention to its high ask.
"So, you know, it's good to be ruthless and nasty and mean in business but, you know, over the long term I found that it's also very good to be nice and it's good to do deals where both sides make money. I like the structure, $110,000, but to take 20% from you for really making a phone call just doesn't seem fair to me," Robert remarked.
Consequently, he offered $110,000 in exchange for 10% of his company with the same contingency as Kevin's. Upon hearing that, Kevin referenced a story about Apollo and the fisherman, where the fishermen were cursed to be resurrected as pilot fish dependent on a big shark, implying that he was the bigger shark while Robert was the pilot fish.
Although Naushad appreciated Kevin's offer, he ultimately shook hands with Robert. Drain Strain is currently available to purchase off their official website, at Home Depot, and Ace Hardware locations, as well as on Amazon. The Shark Tank company has also partnered with multiple hotel chains, including Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, La Quinta, and more.
Shark Tank Season 16 airs every Friday at 8 pm ET exclusively on ABC.
