Cyndi Bray seeks a Shark to invest in Wad-Free, her invention that prevents sheets from “wadding up” in the dryer, in Shark Tank episode 1306. She invented the product to solve a common problem: sheets that get wound into a wad in the dryer with all the clothes inside them. When she went seeking a solution, she couldn’t find one, so she created one.
Her story is pretty impressive. She taught herself physics, CAD drawing and how to make a prototype. In addition to that, she trademarked the product, tested different prototypes and found a manufacturer. All of this was done in 14 months!
The product itself is a 4 inch plastic square with rounded corners. In each corner, there is a hole with a snap closure. Simply take your sheets a few inches from each corner (it works with regular and fitted sheets), stick it through the hole over the rounded snap tab and secure it with the snap. Then just wash and dry as usual. The sheets will not wad up at all and drying times will be reduced as well. For more detailed instructions, watch the video below or check out the website’s instructions.
A two pack costs $18.99 and you can find them on Amazon. Cyndi started the company in June, 2020, smack dab in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite that, she found sales success with her videos and website. She did a lot of outreach on social media too and in just 8 months she was growing “quickly.” She likely wants a Shark to help get her into retail and grow the brand. Will a Shark want to clean up with this business?
Company Information
Video
Posts about Wad-Free on Shark Tank Blog
Wad-Free Shark Tank Recap
Cyndi enters the Shark Tank seeking $200,000 for 5% of her business. She starts off demonstrating all the ways sheets get wadded up in the dryer. She then has some pre-fitted sheets with Wad-Frees already attached and says with a Shark she can turn her product into wads of cash as she literally throws wads of cash onstage. Kevin says he sleeps naked on $1000 Egyptian cotton sheets and wants to know if this will damage them; they won’t. Total sales since launching in June, 2020 are $513,000. they cost $3.50 each to make, plus $3.50 for shipping which she absorbs, netting 38% profit. She sells at Walmart, The Grommet, her website and Amazon. Her utility patent will issue a week after taping.
Next, she tells about her background. She has an MBA and had an advertising business for 20 years. In 2005, she stopped working to care for her husband who developed a brain tumor. Shark Tank first aired in 2009 just a few months after her husband passed and she’s been a fan ever since. In a way, the Sharks inspired her to launch Wad Free.
Who’s In?
Mark doesn’t do laundry and this product is not his thing; he’s out. Robert says a big part of why he does Shark Tank is how it inspires people like Cyndi but he still goes out. Kevin says this is a “classic Mr. Wonderful royalty deal.” He offers $200,000 for 10% plus a $1.50 per unit royalty until he recoups $1 million. Lori is going to make an offer too, but Daymond interjects and says he’s out.
Lori thinks the product is genius and thinks she can upsell it with Better Bedder. She’ll also do an infomercial and get it into “all the stores.” Lori offers $200,000 for 25%. Cyndi counters Lori with 10%. There is a lot of hard selling by Mr. Wonderful and Lori about why they’d be the better partner. Kevin says he can do everything Lori can do, but better. Lori eventually drops to 20%. Kevin goes to 5% with the royalty intact and Cyndi goes with Kevin because of the equity.
Wad-Free Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. In the immediate aftermath of the show, sales sky rocketed. As of September, 2022, there is no evidence the deal closed, but it eventuallly did. By October, 2023, the company has amassed over $750,000 in lifetime sales.
As of August, 2024, Cyndi introduced a Wad-Free for blankets and duvet covers. At this time, lifetime revenue is approaching $2 million.
This page will be updated as new information on Cyndi Bray & Wad-Free becomes available.
