Brett and Stephanie Parker, Owners and Creators of Sleeping Baby, pitch their line of baby products, highlighted by the Zipadee-Zip wearable blanket, in episode 601 – the Shark Tank season 6 premier. The Parkers, like many inventors, created the Sleeping Baby business out of necessity. When their daughter was born, she went through a phase while transitioning from swaddling and not longer slept through the night.
The Parkers became sleep deprived parents as the baby kept squirming out of her swaddle blanket and waking up. Swaddle transition issues are common with infants and they eventually grow out of it, but waiting months and suffering sleepless nights in the process is an exhausting undertaking for any parent. What happens is, babies get the startle reflex which causes them to suddenly jolt awake. Without the womb like security of a swaddle blanket, babies fidget and scratch at themselves while in the crib – keeping parents awake in the process.
One sleep deprived night, Stephanie stayed up and sewed the prototype for what became the Sleeping Baby Zipadee-Zip. When she tried it on her baby, she slept through the night! The Sleeping Baby wearable blankets give infants the security of a swaddle blanket while allowing them some wiggle room. The result is reduced startling and a more restful night – for babies and parents alike.
They decided to start a website and sell the Sleeping Baby blankets online. Growth was slow initially, but they built up a reputation and a slew of satisfied customers. Now their business is at a critical turning point and they’re looking to the Sharks to help them get to the next level.
Does Sleeping Baby have what it takes to swim with Sharks?
Sleeping Baby Shark Tank Recap
The segment opens with the Parkers in their home where they revealed they’d lost a baby last year and were forced to step back from their business. The outpouring of support from their community of customers kept the business going. When Brett and Stephanie entered the Tank seeking $200,000 for 10% of their business. They shared the product sold 25,000 which adds up to “a little over $1 million,” all through their website. The Parkers revealed they actually started the business for $700!
The Sharks were impressed with the Parkers’ business and they were moved by the story of their lost baby. Lori is first to make an offer for $200K for 25% since she’ll have to work hard branding the Zipadeezip. Daymond wants the Parkers to decide if they want to go to retail, which is where Lori wants to take the product. Mr. Wonderful cautions them against going retail and offers $200K for 20% (with NO ROYALTY) is they won’t go to retail. Daymond matches Kevin’s offer and says he’ll test retail. Mark complements the Parkers on their progress, but he’s out; so is Robert.
With three offers on the table, they ask Daymond if he can help with manufacturing and Brett counters with $200K for 15%. Daymond sticks at 20%, saying he’d normally ask for 33%. The Parkers accept and do the deal! Daymond, they reveal in the hall, was their first choice.
Sleeping Baby Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. The deal with Daymond never closed. Over the years, they added to the line which now includes a “swaddle transition,” “zippy freedom,” pajamas and baby accessories. The company is still in business as of April, 2023. Annual revenue is $5 million.
Posts About Sleeping Baby on Shark Tank Blog
Sleeping Baby Information
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Swaddling worked for my son. Now though he started breaking out of the swaddle and instead of me doing a different swaddle wrap technique, we just purchased the simply and effective swaddle transition blanket from Zipadee-Zip!