The Matte is an organizer and space-saving makeup counter designed specifically for women, providing a temporary storage solution for messy makeup items. Founded by Melissa Clayton in 2014, The Matte was created to address her own need for a tidy and functional makeup setup.
Makeup accessories are essential for many women, who often apply makeup after showering, regardless of their plans. With some products costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars, wasting makeup is a significant concern.
Unfortunately, it’s common for women to use bathroom sinks or toilet seats as impromptu makeup counters, risking damage to their products. Accidental drops into sinks or toilets can lead to costly losses.
To address these issues, Melissa Clayton introduced The Matte, a temporary sink countertop makeup organizer. She pitched her product on Shark Tank Season 12, Episode 20, seeking $100,000 for 20% equity.
The Matte offers a versatile solution for makeup application anywhere. It is lightweight, compact, and easy to store, making it ideal for both home use and travel. When folded, it resembles an iPad case, measuring 6.5″ wide by 9.5″ tall. When unfolded, it expands to 17.25″ wide by 19.5″ long and holds beauty essentials weighing up to 2 pounds.
The Matte is available in two colors—black and pink—priced at $34.99. A travel bag can be purchased for an additional $9.99, and the product is also available on Amazon.
| Company Name | The Matte |
| Founder | Melissa Clayton |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Product | Temporary Sink countertop makeup organizer and space saver |
| Asked For | $100,000 for 20% equity |
| Final Deal | $100,000 for 33.3% equity |
| Shark | Lori Greiner |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S12 E20 |
| Air Date | April 9, 2021 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Net Worth | $1 Million *estimated |
| Website | Visit Website |
| Headquarters | Acton, Massachusetts, US |
| Go To Amazon | Buy Now |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of The Matte?
The Matte Co-Founder and CEO, Melissa Clayton, also runs Tiny Tags, an online personalized jewelry brand. She launched Tiny Tags in 2006 after struggling to find the perfect personalized necklace following the birth of her son.
Melissa is a marketing specialist with an MBA from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. In 1997, she began her career at PwC as a Certified Public Accountant in Tax and Audit, where she worked for four years. She later served as a Senior License Consultant at Oracle for three years.
After leaving her corporate roles, Melissa founded Tiny Tags in 2012 and introduced The Matte in 2014. In June 2022, she became a member of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of The Matte?
Melissa Clayton entered Shark Tank on April 9, 2021, seeking $100,000 for 10% equity in her business. She shared her product concept and her entrepreneurial journey with the Sharks.
Kevin O’Leary humorously said “No” while laughing at Melissa’s presentation. She highlighted that she achieved $20,000 in sales within the first 30 days and reported lifetime sales of $200,000 by mid-2021, all within three years.
Sales were generated through Amazon, her website, and third-party retailers, with annual revenue reaching $85,000 the previous year. The product was priced at $24.99, with a landed cost of $7.
After observing the product, Kevin joked, “I haven’t bought this product, but I want my money back,” and expressed his view that the opportunity looked bleak, leading him to exit.
Melissa noted that these sales were achieved without any advertising, relying instead on influencer collaborations and word-of-mouth marketing. Kendra Scott and Barbara Corcoran also opted out of investing, but Lori Greiner continued discussions with Melissa.
Lori eventually made an offer of $100,000 for 33.3% equity, which Melissa accepted.
The Matte Shark Tank Update
After The Matte episode aired on Shark Tank, orders for the product surged, prompting Melissa and her family to start packaging them.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping was delayed. Melissa notified her customers about the shipping delays via a letter shared on the official Instagram account, @thematteofficial, providing complete details about the situation.
We know you’ve heard it… the supply chain is crazy!
Changes in Covid protocol have impacted capacity at our factor and caused major delays in shipping.We appreciate all of our valued customers, their patience and understanding!
For help, reach out to [email protected]
thematteofficial
Since The Matte is listed on Amazon, it has received a strong response, with 65% of buyers giving it a 5-star rating. By August 2022, it was projected that The Matte would generate half a million in annual revenue.
Lori became a partner in The Matte after investing $100,000 during Shark Tank. Currently, there isn’t much new information about the company or its founder.
However, no confirmation has been found regarding whether Lori has officially closed the deal. A recent Instagram post indicated that during the Amazon Prime Day sale, the product achieved impressive sales, prompting her family to begin packaging the orders.
What Is The Matte’s Net Worth?
The Matte is estimated to have a net worth of $1 million and is performing well on Amazon, with many buyers leaving positive reviews.
The company is experiencing gradual growth, though it remains unclear whether it is engaging in paid marketing.
Currently, TheMatte.com attracts about 4,000 visitors each month, with an estimated conversion rate of around 10% for purchases.
Yes, The Matte is still in business as of April 2024.
