She walked into the Tank with a vision to clean up more than just your smile. When Lindsay McCormick stepped onto the Shark Tank stage in Season 11, she wasn’t just pitching a new product; she was championing a movement to reduce plastic waste in oral care. Her company, Bite Toothpaste Bits, offered a simple solution to a massive problem: the billions of toothpaste tubes discarded each year. While she and co-founder Asher Hunt didn’t walk away with a deal, their experience on Shark Tank became a powerful lesson in entrepreneurial conviction, brand authenticity, and the value of sticking to your mission.
The Founding Story: Innovation Sparked by Frustration
Bite’s origin story is as authentic as it gets. Lindsay McCormick, a former surf and snowboard instructor turned TV producer, was constantly on the go. She noticed how many travel-sized toothpaste tubes she was tossing out, each one destined for a…
landfill. Motivated to find a better way, she dove into online chemistry courses, consulted with dental professionals, and began experimenting in her Los Angeles apartment. After many trials, she developed a formula for natural, vegan, cruelty-free toothpaste tablets packaged in recyclable glass bottles.
In 2018, Asher Hunt joined as co-founder, bringing operational expertise that helped scale the business after a viral video sent sales soaring. Together, they launched Bite on Etsy and their own website, quickly gaining traction with eco-conscious consumers seeking sustainable alternatives.
The Shark Tank Pitch: Big Ask, Bold Vision On Shark Tank Season 11, Episode 14, McCormick and Hunt presented their vision to the sharks. They asked for $325,000 in exchange for 5% equity, valuing Bite at $6.5 million.
Their pitch highlighted Bite’s unique features: palm oil-free, vegan ingredients, recyclable packaging, and plans to launch a fluoride version, something no other U.S. toothpaste tablet brand offered at the time…
Members-only article
Unlock the rest of this story
Join free to keep reading RetailBoss insights coverage, industry analysis, and market intelligence.
Full article access
Industry analysis
Free account
Free access. No credit card required. Your account is created after you verify your email.
Discussion
0 Comments
No comments yet
Start the conversation
Share your take on this story and help shape the discussion.
Discussion
0 Comments
No comments yet
Start the conversation
Share your take on this story and help shape the discussion.
Sign in to join the discussion.