Highlights
- Andy Blackman and Heather Murphy seek $150,000 for 10% equity in Baby Loves Disco, a traveling disco party that entertains families with music, dancing, and activities.
- Despite grossing $2 million over five years, the Sharks are confused by the business model, which relies on ticket sales, sponsorships, cash bar, and merchandise.
- The pair leaves without a deal, and Baby Loves Disco eventually shuts down in 2017 due to lack of a solid business plan.
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Baby Loves Disco |
| Founders | Andy Blackman, Heather Murphy |
| Industry | Family Entertainment |
| Product | Traveling disco parties for families |
| Funding Sought | $150,000 |
| Investment Ask | $150,000 |
| Equity Offered | 10% |
| Valuation | $1.5 million |
Baby Loves Disco is a traveling disco party that gets families together in a variety of venues to shake their booties to classic disco tunes from the 1970’s and 80’s. Entrepreneurs Andy Blackman and Heather Murphy pitch the Sharks on their mobile disco party concept in episode 417. Baby Loves Disco started out in Philadelphia and has been traveling all over the USA since 2006 providing families with a unique Saturday afternoon activity in an environment where kids and parents alike can dance and have a good time. They grew by word of mouth, with virtually no marketing or advertising. The dance parties are designed as community events that are an alternative to standard kiddie entertainment. There are healthy snacks, crafts, cocktails for the parents, and lots of dancing.
Baby Loves Disco Shark Tank Recap
Andy Herwitz and Heather Murphy hope to snag a Shark Deal for $150,000 in exchange for a 10% equity stake in their business. The pair bring their Disco party right into the Shark Tank with a group of kids who dash onto the stage and dance to music while the disco lights flash, drawing smiles and laughter from the Sharks.
They’ve averaged around 350 attendees to their events, and they’ve grossed $2 million in the past five years. Robert Herjavec wants to understand the business model, but it seems confusing. The pair depend on sponsorship deals, sales at the cash bar, tickets, and merchandising.
Mark Cuban can see value in the network the pair has built, but the sponsorships and the confusing business model have him shaking his head. He’s out.
Daymond John doesn’t “understand what’s happening going forward. I’m lost.” and he’s out.
Kevin O’Leary explains “I don’t understand how I can make any money with you, I don’t understand what you’re doing. I simply want to go to bed richer than when I woke up, and I don’t think that will happen with you guys. I. Am. Out,” he finished emphatically.
Lori Greiner likes the premise of the party, but she’s concerned that the business model isn’t solid. She’s out.
Robert Herjavec isn’t “buying into the business plan.” The final Shark is out, and the pair leave the stage without a deal.
Baby Loves Disco Shark Tank Update
Although the pair are passionate about their business, their lack of any cohesive business plan meant they sank fast in the Shark Tank. Without solid, measurable goals, a marketing strategy, and a business plan the Sharks could sink their teeth into, Baby Does Disco was dancing to the tune of a drummer so different the Sharks couldn’t pick up the melody.
Although their social media page refers to upcoming events, a search of the venue pages doesn’t pan out. The website lists some events, too. It appears that Baby Does Disco, but that the company’s lack of a cohesive plan means that it doesn’t do much else. This business shut down sometime in 2017. A Las Vegas escort service grabbed their domain.
Posts about Baby Loves Disco on Shark Tank Blog
Baby Loves Disco Information
The reason that Baby Loves Disco did not close a deal is that they did not understand their own business. Their pitch was for a children’s party business. While that concept was exciting to the Sharks, their interest started waning when they revealed that they made only $1500-$$2000 per party. Their real source of income was the “corporate sponsor”. If you read “sponsor” as “advertiser”, the real opportunity in the business becomes evident.
With a 350 mom and kid captive audience for several hours, the advertising potential becomes obvious. Any number of businesses. local and national would love that kind of access. What Baby Loves Disco should have pitched as was a unique form of advertising.