"Uphill battle" — Play Maysie founder Kayla opens up about struggles on Shark Tank

Kayla Lupean's Play Maysie business received a Shark Tank update segment in season 16 episode 8, released on January 17, 2025. Play Maysie originally appeared on Shark Tank in Season 14. Lupean revealed that her portable dollhouses, which resemble lunchboxes and use magnets to keep furniture and dolls in place, are now available nationwide at Barnes and Noble and even at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Recently, they made a custom case for the White House Historical Association, which features the Oval Office and the State Dining Room. This product was sold at the People's House Experience, across from the White House. Despite the progress, Kayla revealed on the Shark Tank update that keeping the business afloat has been tough for her after her appearance on the reality show.

"I really believe that after airing on Shark Tank, I was gonna sell out of my inventory and become an overnight millionaire, but honestly, it has been an uphill battle for me," revealed Kayla.

When Kayla first appeared on Shark Tank, her lifetime sales were $150,000. Despite generating $370,000 in revenue over the past year and a half, Kayla's profits were much lower than expected, with only 10% of the revenue remaining after expenses. As a single adoptive mom, Kayla revealed that she faced difficulties in growing her business while prioritizing time with her daughter.

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Play Maysie founder reveals on Shark Tank that she found a new passion in teaching, quits entrepreneurship

Kayla Lupean, the founder of Play Maysie, further revealed that had found a new passion in her life when she started teaching. The fire that once drove her through her business had fizzled out. Around the same time, a neighbor forwarded her a job listing for a high school entrepreneurship teacher, which aligned perfectly with her experience.

Kayla took the job and found a new sense of purpose in the classroom. She enjoyed teaching and inspiring young minds. Meanwhile, Barbara Corcoran and her team began helping Kayla transition Play Maysie to a new owner-operator. This move would allow Barbara to recoup her investment, and Kayla could focus on teaching full-time.

"The school hired me, and my experience in the classroom has been what brought the spark back to my life that I'd been missing from my business," said Kayla.

Barbara respected Kayla's decision to leave entrepreneurship behind, acknowledging that it takes courage to start and end a business. Kayla believed her new path was meant to be, and she was excited to plant seeds of entrepreneurship in her students. She hoped these students would grow into future business leaders who could positively impact the world.

"Not everybody's meant to be an entrepreneur. It's actually very courageous to go out and start a business, but even more courageous to decide to end the business," stated Barbara Corcoran.

Initially, when Kayla entered the tank, she revealed that she was seeking a $150,000 investment in exchange for 10% of her company. Kayla also shared her personal story, including her divorce in 2013 and the adoption of her daughter. After losing her photography business due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Kayla used her savings to start Play Maysie.

The company's product had a landed cost of $13 and sold for $49.99, resulting in a 70% profit margin. Kayla successfully launched a Kickstarter campaign in March 2021, raising $30,000. She used this funding to create molds for the product's tins, even selling her car to help cover the costs. By the end of 2021, Play Maysie had generated $175,000 in sales.

Barbara Corcoran offered Kayla a deal of $150,000 for 30% equity, plus a $5 royalty per unit until her investment was recouped. Kayla countered with two alternative offers but eventually accepted Barbara's revised deal of $150,000 for 20% equity, plus a $7 royalty per unit until her investment was recouped.

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