Shark Tank Pitch Recap
In Season 8 Episode 12, Angelica and Jason Sweeting appeared on Shark Tank seeking $200,000 for 20% of their divers dolls, Naturally Perfect Dolls.
Here’s a quick recap before we dive into the Naturally Perfect Dolls Shark Tank update.
- : She loves the message and it’s a great quality doll but they have a long road ahead of them because of all the competition.
Out - : He believes the challenge is the big companies can create in mass volumes that the Sweetings can’t. It’s an uphill battle and he can’t see the path forward.
Out - : He thinks there is a place for them going direct to consumer but he has lived this life already and he didn’t love it in the end.
Out - : He thinks they are still focused on the dream of being in retail and right now, they’re a little too scattered.
Out - :
Offer: $200K for 33.3% - :
Counter Offer: $200K for 25% - :
Counter OFfer: $200K for 30% + 10% towards charity
| Season 8 Episode 12 | |
|---|---|
| Episode Number | |
| Network | |
| Air Date | January 6, 2017 |
| Business Pitch | A Line Of Dolls Encouraging Self-Acceptance And Diversity |
|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | Angelica Sweeting And Jason Sweeting |
| Asked For | $200,000 For 20% |
| Deal | $200,000 For 30% |
| Shark | Daymond John |
| Business Status | Out Of Business |
|---|---|
| Estimated Valuation | |
| Website | — |
After Shark Tank Update
The deal with Daymond John didn’t close but the with their appearance on Shark Tank, the line of self-acceptance dolls became an instant hit and their inventory of dolls quickly sold out within days.
But the company was later forced to shut down its website as it underwent a rebranding and changes to the company name due to trademark issues, with the new company being called MayZeePedia
A NEW DIRECTION?
After failing to getting the Naturally Perfect Dolls back up and in good standing, the Sweetings turned their attention to a new cause.
The Sweetings initiated a new crowdfunding campaign for a line of collectible, STEM toys for girls of different ethnicities based on the elements of the periodic table.
2017 UpdateIn a Youtube video message to followers, the Sweetings discussed the reason behind their new project. The company had received numerous emails from people who felt that an African-American focused brand was inappropriate.
In response, they created the “Epic Ellements”. Unfortunately, the crowdfunding campaign for the new line of diverse dolls did not reach its goal and was cancelled.
Where Are They Now?
Naturally Perfect Dolls remains out of business today (2022) and the Sweetings have returned to their former careers. However, with growing interest in dolls that represent all girls, there may be room for a revival, granted they’re willing to compete with doll giants like Mattel’s Barbie, which has also jumped on the inclusivity bandwagon.
A wonderful site to buy quality toys for children of color is culturecorner. Find on Instagram @CultureCorner and Twitter #CultureCorner1.
It is August 2018 and I am still waiting on a delivery from a October order. I am so disappointed – I reached out several times. I asked how can you be launching more items when you have failed to deliver the 1st – This was the response:
First, thank you for your feedback. A customer service representative forwarded me your email and I wanted to answer and clarify some of these points personally.
It is possible to have two completely different lines of dolls with different production and shipping dates. We recently switched manufacturers for our 18inch line and I’m excited that we are finically able to provide our 18inch doll line a more affordable price point for pre sale customers. Most customers received a $30-40 discount.
Some of our past customers have been waiting on a new collection with a low price point. There isn’t a reason to delay with getting started. As you know, we have some customers interested in the 18 inch dolls and some interested in the new collection. One does not effect the other.
Our company started on Kickstarter and we love to launch new products from there. To clarify, no emails will lead to a Kickstarter page yet. The Kickstarter has not launched, it launches on Feb 21, 2018.
After clicking the link in the email you referenced, you should have been automatically set a follow up email. The follow up email contains instructions on how to enter our give away.
On December 2, 2017 – we sent all pre order customers a email titled “the preview the have been waiting on.”
That email included a video preview of the new collection.
I believe I answered all questions. As always, thank you for your feedback. Please let us know if you need further clarification!
Thank you!
Angelica
later a email stating :
Good News: Our manufacturer has retuned from Chinese New Year and they are starting back production to complete the dolls!
This is our very first production run with this new manufacturer. We appreciate your patience and support as they solve a few issues with hair and skin pigment. In order to ensure you are receiving the best product possible at a great price, the manufacturer will have to do a few things over. Although, this is not what we wanted – we could not in good conscious/faith ship out dolls that were not up to our level of quality.
More Good News: We have a shipping timeline! The following timeline is based on the details and timeline our manufacturer has provided. We are working quickly with our manufacturer to ensure we get dolls delivered before this date!
Completion of doll production: Present – March 31st
Shipping from overseas to USA: April 5th – April 15th
Customs Clearance: April 16- April 21st
Shipping out to customers: April 24th
Then:
Important Update.
Hello!
First, there are not enough apologies in the world for you and the delay of your product. But, we truly apologize that you have not received your order.
This has honestly been a nightmare of a situation. A situation that could end our company and our team is working diligently to overcome.
Unfortunately, I am contractually prohibited from disclosing a significant reason for the delay in you receiving your dolls.
We have been talking to our lawyer for the last 45 days and this is all we can tell you about the delay without being at risk for getting sued. I apologize for the delay in communication, this email had to be reviewed and approved by many people.
I want you to know that this will not stop us from delivering your dolls and we will do everything we can we make this situation right.
If you have asked for a refund, you will receive one. We ask that you give us 60-90 days to get all refunds processed.
Our team will send a survey this week. We want to ensure we are giving our customers a proper appreciation gift for believing in us and giving us this opportunity. The options will include the doll delivery with a partial refund off your order, doll delivery and 3-4 extra outfits, or possibly adding an additional doll to your order at no cost. They survey will help us determine what gift will be best to accommodate you for your patience.
We are not a scam, and we are not committing fraud. I know everyone is upset about not receiving their product. You have every right to be. This is not okay in any world. I wish I could speak more to this without breaking contractual obligations. We will ensure that everyone who asks for a refund will receive one.
Next email with survey will be sent on June 29th. As always, If you have any immediate questions or concerns… please contact our customer service reps at info@mayzeepedia.com
Nothing since and no responses to emails. It is a Shame and a SHAM.
FRESH DOLLS!!!!
This piece is very informative, however, you’ve missed mentioning the largest multicultural doll company. The World of EPI. The owner an African American woman, Dr. Lisa, has created two doll lines: The Fresh Dolls (TheFreshDolls.com) and Positively Perfect (@PostivelyPerfectDolls). Please note more information can be found at TheDrLisa.com.
Brains and Beauty Dolls should be added to that list. Reputable and my doll was ordered and delivered with no issue. brainsandbeautydolls.com
If you looking for beautiful black dolls by a black owner you want to check out brainsandbeautydolls.
Check out the beautiful dolls on: BrownEyedDolls.com
Extremely sad if it’s true these folks were scammers, I know MANY people of various backgrounds who’d have bought several of these. I pray someone will pick up the original doll idea and carry it forward in a positive and worth while way. Thanks for the heads up here. Sad shame indeed.
These two were scammers. They were the REAL sharks. All those that purchased this over-priced doll lost their money. These people should actually be in jail.
The rewards program has been amazing! I have an additional tip: When friends/family buy AG for your daughter, have them use your account- this racks up the points. We landed in BERRY (top tier) due to this. As a result: 1) daughter got bday and Christmas gift from AG, VIP party with just a few girls (hors d’ oeuvres, fancy mocktail, wine/champagne for adults, swag bags with miniature dolls and awesome AG mugs)- they shut the whole store down and treated the girls like true VIP’s), won an AG doll of her choice…we have seriously gotten at least $200 extra items via being Berry members….it’s highly worth it. And you don’t have to spend all the money to get there when you shop DOUBLE POINTS days and when generous family /friends use your account. Hope those tips help! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays ?
I just learned about the Naturally Perfect Doll, Angelica. I fell in love with it immediately! It reminds me of Sasha Dolls. They were designed by the famous Swiss artist, Sasha Morgenthaler. The beauty of these dolls was their multiple human-like expressions and their ability to be posed. They were created to represent children from all over the world having girls, boys, and babies. Ms. Morgenthaler also found huge difficulties to overcome in producing her dolls. Although her first production was successful, it was eventually stopped. Her experience reminds me of that of the Sweetings. I think they created a beautiful and remarkable doll. It is not only their loss, but ours too, that their dolls did not come to fruition. I am sure it would have become a collectable like the Sasha dolls.
I feel like a big problem with this company ended up being that the shark they made a deal with backed out after the show aired. A lot of people thought they would have better flow working with the shark being able to take more in. They got overwhelmed and didn’t want to admit that they didn’t get the deal in the end which left them with the problem of being able to deliver all of the orders that they got from being on the show in the first place. I really do feel like this business would still be up and running if the shark would have gone through with the deal he made.