Busy Baby Mat is a silicone suction placemat designed to keep babies and toddlers safe from germs and messes. This innovative product features adjustable tethers for toys and teethers, preventing items like spoons and toys from falling to the floor when thrown by children.
Made from high-quality, 100% food-grade, FDA-approved silicone, the Busy Baby Mat is free from harmful substances such as BPA, BPS, PVC, and phthalates. Its flexible design helps eliminate the risk of mold, fungus, and bacteria. The mat is also microwave and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Suitable for babies aged 5 to 18 months, this product can also be used by toddlers up to 3 years old. It features suction cups in each corner to securely attach to surfaces, and it comes in various sizes. The mini mat measures 3 x 11 inches, making it ideal for travel trays and small high chairs.
Before use, the mat should be cleaned by boiling it in a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water to ensure safety. The Ultimate Busy Baby Bundle, which includes the Busy Baby Mat, Mini Mat, Bottle Bungee, Toy Bungee, and a 2-in-1 Teether & Training Spoon, is available for $65.55.
Company Name | Busy Baby Mat |
Founder | Beth Fynbo |
Product | The Busy Baby Mat is a Silicon mat that’s wonderful for babies 5-18 months old |
Asked For | $250k for 5% Equity |
Final Deal | No Deal |
Shark | No Shark |
Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S12 E16 |
Air Date | March 5, 2021 |
Business Status | In Business |
Website | Visit Website |
Headquarters | Oronoco, Minnesota, United States |
Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $1.5M *estimated |
Go To Amazon | Buy Now |
Watch On | Amazon Prime |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Busy Baby Mat?
Busy Baby LLC was founded by Beth Fynbo in 2017, alongside her younger brother, Eric Fynbo. Beth, a resident of Oronoco, Minnesota, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
While pursuing her studies, she worked as a broadcast journalist for the U.S. Army, where she gained valuable experience for a decade before leaving in 2006.
Following her tenure in the Army, Beth served as a Public Affairs Outreach Specialist at the National Guard Bureau for ten months. She then worked as a Management Analyst at Alutiiq Company.
After earning her Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado Technical University-Online, Beth joined Cardinal Health, where she spent seven years, including five years as an Enterprise Account Manager.
Eric Fynbo, the Vice President of Busy Baby LLC, joined the company full-time in August 2022. He studied Secondary Education and Teaching at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and worked at Target for five years.
Prior to joining Busy Baby, Eric was a store manager at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Woodbury, MN, a position he left in 2021 to focus on the family business.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Busy Baby?
Inventor Beth Fynbo pitched her company, Busy Baby, on Shark Tank, successfully raising $250,000 for 5% equity. During her presentation, Beth shared her entrepreneurial journey and showcased sample products, highlighting that they hold patents for two of their offerings.
Busy Baby has seen strong sales, with many parents purchasing the innovative silicone suction placemat designed for toddlers.
The manufacturing cost for each unit is $6, while it retails for $24.99. In 2019, their total sales reached $97,000, and by early 2020, they generated an additional $20,000 in sales in January and February. However, sales began to decline in March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Beth informed the Sharks that her total sales had reached $323,000, with expectations of hitting $900,000 by the end of 2020, resulting in a projected profit of $200,000.
Mark Cuban expressed admiration for the product but decided to opt out, citing the uniqueness and specificity of the baby market. Lori Greiner offered $250,000 for 20% equity, but Beth countered with an offer of 10%. Lori maintained her position at 20%.
Robert Herjavec acknowledged Lori’s offer as strong but chose to decline. Daymond John stated he could not enter the baby products space at that time, so he opted out as well. Kevin O’Leary praised Beth as a “rockstar,” noting the challenges of launching a baby product, but ultimately decided not to invest.
In a final attempt to negotiate, Beth countered Lori with an offer of 15% equity, but Lori increased her offer to 18%, leading to a stalemate as Beth held firm at 15%. Consequently, the deal did not materialize.
Busy Baby Shark Tank Update
When the Shark Tank episode featuring Busy Baby aired, viewers were intrigued by the unique product, which addresses a common challenge for parents: keeping their children safe while they eat and play. The positive reception led to millions of dollars in sales for Beth Fynbo, the founder, and her company received significant media coverage, including features in BuzzFeed, Forbes, and Pregnant Chicken.
After obtaining Navoba certification, Busy Baby’s distribution expanded, making the product available in various supermarkets and children’s toy retail stores. In August 2022, it became available on the Handshake platform at wholesale prices. Beth also published several videos on YouTube, including the viral hit “Busy Baby Mat – Meal Time, Play Time, Anytime!” which garnered 256,000 views.
Currently, Busy Baby’s silicone placemat is available on Amazon, boasting a rating of 5,000 reviews, with 75% receiving five stars.
Although Beth did not secure funding from the Sharks—Lori Greiner insisted on 18% equity, while Beth was firm at 15%—the episode’s airing led to remarkable sales. In just two days, 6,000 units were sold, a feat that could be considered a record for the highest sales following a Shark Tank appearance.
Following this success, Beth developed additional products, including a baby spoon and a smaller mat designed to fit high chairs. By the end of 2020, Busy Baby reached $1 million in sales, with projections of $4 million for 2021. As of August 2022, it is estimated that the company generated $4 million in annual revenue.
Beth shared on her blog that she spent over 10 years traveling for her business, participating in numerous pitch competitions that collectively earned her $100,000 in prize money.
What Is The Busy Baby’s Net Worth?
During its appearance on Shark Tank, Busy Baby was valued at $5 million. Unfortunately, the business did not secure funding from the Sharks. However, following the episode, Busy Baby achieved millions of dollars in sales. As of now, the company’s estimated net worth is approximately $1.5 million.