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Mika Bertholdo, founder of Ooakshell, broke down in tears during her Shark Tank season 13 episode 23 appearance after guest shark Emma Grede expressed interest in her handmade headband business. Bertholdo entered seeking $150,000 for 10% equity, operating her business alone from her parent's home in Houston.
All Shark Tank investors stepped out citing various reasons except Emma Grrede. When Grede showed interest, Bertholdo got emotional. Emma instantly inquired about her reaction.
"I'm overwhelmed. These are happy tears though for sure," Bertholdo responded, wiping her eyes. "I'm swallowing them... I'm just like so happy that you're even considering offering something to me because I need help. I can't sustain this. I work like 18 to 20 hours a day and I have kids that I want to see sometimes."
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In the end, Grede’s offer was accepted by the entrepreneur.
Ooakshell Shark Tank contestant breaks down season 13 episode 23
Bertholdo walked into the Shark Tank carrying her signature headbands, which featured a distinctive ring-based adjustment system. She spoke about starting the business in 2018 while dealing with postpartum hair loss. The Ooakshell’s innovative design came from her own need for comfortable, adjustable headbands that could provide full coverage.
The financial details sparked immediate interest among the Sharks. Each headband cost $1.64 to produce and sold for $35, providing strong profit margins. Bertholdo revealed she had sold over 10,000 units through direct-to-consumer sales on her website. The business operated without any marketing budget, relying solely on social media engagement and word-of-mouth promotion.
Her dedication showed in the customer metrics. The brand maintained an 81% return customer rate, indicating strong product satisfaction. She explained the manufacturing process, describing how she personally tie-dyed each headband to create unique patterns. The rings acted like belt buckles, allowing customers to adjust both the fit and width of the headbands.
The discussion took an emotional turn when Emma Grede expressed serious interest in the business. Bertholdo began crying as she described her daily routine. She managed through tears, explaining her constant work schedule while trying to make time for her children. She spoke about handling every aspect of the business alone, from production to shipping.
The vulnerability of the moment resonated with Grede, who recognized both the potential of the product and the founder's need for support. Bertholdo emphasized she needed help to maintain the business's growth while achieving a more sustainable work-life balance. Her emotional state reflected the physical and mental toll of running a rapidly growing business single-handedly.
Shark Tank guest investor Emma Grede offered $150,000 for 20% equity in Ooakshell. She highlighted her experience in the fashion industry and her ability to help scale the business. When Bertholdo proposed a counteroffer of 13%, Grede maintained her original position. After careful consideration of Grede's potential value addition, Bertholdo accepted the 20% equity deal.
Mark Cuban vocally supported the decision, urging Bertholdo to accept Grede's offer. The partnership promised more than financial investment. Grede's experience with fashion merchandising and retail operations aligned perfectly with Ooakshell's needs.
Business changes after deal
As Shark Tank Blog reported, the impact of the appearance and Grede's partnership manifested quickly. Within six months of airing, Ooakshell generated $375,000 in sales. The company underwent significant operational changes. Bertholdo moved the business out of her parent's house and established a manufacturing facility in Dallas.
The company expanded its workforce, hiring an assistant who took over 90% of the packaging responsibilities. This marked the end of Bertholdo's solo operation. She received extensive training at Good American headquarters, where she learned aspects of finance, marketing, and fashion merchandising.
Ooakshell has changed from a home-based operation into a structured business. The product line now includes various headband styles, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and youth apparel.
The company keeps its ties with Instagram and TikTok for customer engagement. Ooakshell's transformation from a one-person operation to a structured business demonstrates the tangible impact of the Shark Tank deal, allowing Bertholdo to spend more time with her family while growing her business.
New episodes of Shark Tank are airing on the ABC network.
