Great businesses often begin with a simple idea born out of necessity and passion. The journey of Ooakshell and its founder, Mika Bertholdo, shows how personal adversity can spark business innovation. When Bertholdo entered the Shark Tank in Season 13, she brought not only a unique product but also a compelling story of resilience, creativity, and the search for balance between entrepreneurship and family.
Founding Story: From Personal Challenge to Unique Solution
The inspiration for Ooakshell was born from Bertholdo’s own struggle with postpartum hair loss after her second child. Dissatisfied with existing headbands, which either squeezed too tightly, slipped off, or failed to provide the desired coverage, she began making her own. Each headband featured a distinctive ring-based adjustment system, allowing for customizable fit and style, and was hand-dyed for a one-of-a-kind look.
Bertholdo started selling her creations on Etsy, quickly realizing there was a broader market for her…
solution. She soon launched her own website, handling every aspect of the business herself, from design and production to marketing and shipping. The brand name, she explained, stands for “one of a kind,” a commitment reflected in every product she made.
The Shark Tank Pitch: Ask, Valuation, and Emotional Highs By the time she appeared on Shark Tank, Bertholdo had grown Ooakshell to $386,000 in year-to-date sales, with a remarkable 81% customer return rate and profit margins exceeding 95%. She entered the Tank seeking $150,000 for 10% equity, valuing the company at $1.5 million.
Her pitch resonated deeply with the Sharks, not just for its numbers but for her vulnerability. When guest Shark Emma Grede expressed interest, Bertholdo became emotional, clearly demonstrating how much the opportunity and support meant to her as a solo founder balancing business and family.
The Deal: Strategic Partnership with Emma Grede While other Sharks stepped out, citing concerns about scalability, lack of a team, and the absence of a patent, Grede saw both the potential and the founder’s need for support. Grede offered $150,000 for 20% equity, highlighting her extensive experience in the fashion…
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