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Baubles + Soles is a children’s footwear company featured on Season 11 of the popular entrepreneurial show Shark Tank.
The brand’s unique selling point lies in its creation of stylish, comfortable shoes, and adaptable to any occasion or outfit through a patented interchangeable twist-lock mechanism that allows accessories (baubles) to be swapped out easily.
Baubles + Soles shoes are made from a single mold, so glue and stitching are unnecessary. Combined with a durable, high-quality thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), this design ensures the shoes’ longevity and makes them machine washable, a feature particularly appreciated by busy parents.
Baubles + Soles shoes provide children a versatile, durable, eco-friendly footwear solution. Their unique blend of style, comfort, and customization makes them a fantastic choice for parents seeking a practical and fun solution to children’s footwear.
The company’s appearance on Shark Tank has only further solidified its reputation as a brand with a truly innovative and forward-thinking product.
| Company Name | Baubles + Soles |
| Founder | Duc Nguyen and Lisa Nguyen |
| Business | Customizable bauble-encrusted shoes |
| Investment Seeking | $100,000 for 15% equity in Baubles + Soles |
| Final Deal | $100,000 for 25% equity in Baubles + Soles |
| Shark | Daymond John |
| Episode | Season 11, Episode 7 |
| Business Status | Out Of Business |
| Website | Baubles + Soles Website |
| Net Worth | $0 |
What Are Baubles + Soles?
Baubles + Soles is a footwear brand founded by a first-time mother, conceived out of frustration at constantly buying new shoes for her fast-growing child. Baubles + Soles’ unique selling point is their patent-pending twist-and-lock mechanism, which allows you to swap baubles to match different outfits.
These collectible baubles are not just functional but also fun, adding an element of joy to the dressing-up process for both children and parents. The brand is aimed at modern parents, offering quality handcrafted, machine washable, slip-resistant, and fully recyclable shoes.
The shoes are crafted with a durable patented plastic blend that can withstand machine washing and dishwashing, providing a practical solution for busy parents.
They also offer slip resistance and support for early walkers, with lightweight and flexible one-piece construction for maximum comfort.
Moreover, Baubles + Soles takes pride in its eco-conscious approach. Their shoes are 100% vegan-friendly, made without animal skins or byproducts, and fully recyclable.
The brand’s commitment to safety is evident in the robust design of its twist lock, which can withstand a 30 lb. pull force and needs two steps to disengage, ensuring that the baubles are secure on little feet.
Who Is The Founder Of Baubles + Soles?
Lisa Nguyen, a seasoned professional with a successful fashion industry career, and Duc Nguyen founded Baubles + Soles. A first-generation immigrant, Nguyen pursued her dreams and carved a niche for herself in the corporate world.
She spent more than a decade in the fast-paced fashion sector, gaining a deep understanding of trends, consumer behavior, and supply chain management. The idea for Baubles + Soles was conceived after Lisa became a mother.
When dressing her daughter for different occasions, she was frustrated by the number of shoes her daughter needed, not to mention the speed at which children grow out of them.
As a working mother, she was also concerned about the environmental impact of constantly buying new shoes.
Inspired by her challenges, Lisa Nguyen used her fashion industry knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to devise a solution.
She came up with a single pair of shoes that could be dressed up or down to match any outfit or occasion, with interchangeable accessories or “baubles.”
Before appearing on Shark Tank, Baubles + Soles had already made a name in the children’s footwear industry. The company had gained traction locally and online, thanks to its unique product and Lisa’s marketing efforts.
The brand was already stocked in several boutiques and had a strong online presence with positive customer reviews. Their unique concept and commitment to quality and sustainability set them apart in the market.
However, the journey wasn’t always easy. Like many start-ups, Baubles + Soles faced challenges such as raising capital, streamlining production, and expanding their market reach.
The appearance on Shark Tank was seen as a significant opportunity to showcase the brand on a national stage, gain valuable mentorship, and potentially secure a strategic investment to propel the company to new heights.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Baubles + Soles?
The Baubles + Soles pitch on Shark Tank was an emotional and persuasive showcase of the brand’s potential. Founders Lisa and Luke Nguyen presented their product with both enthusiasm and conviction.
Lisa and Duck appeared on Shark Tank seeking an investment of $100,000 for a 15% stake in their company, placing a value of around $667,000 on their Baubles + Soles.
The Nguyens highlighted the unique selling points of their product – the shoes’ customizability, interchangeability, machine washability, slip-resistance, and the fact that they are entirely recyclable and made in America.
They shared the brand’s backstory and explained how their experiences as parents inspired them to develop the shoe line. Their goal was to address the common issue of children outgrowing or becoming bored with their shoes too quickly, creating unnecessary waste and expense.
The Sharks were shown the various “baubles” that could be attached to the shoes, creating an almost endless array of styles.
The founders also outlined their sales figures, revealing they had made $150,000 in sales in the last 12 months, with 80% coming from wholesalers and 20% from their company’s website. Their projection for the current year was $300,000 in sales, and they expected a profit of $170,000.
However, the Sharks were initially skeptical. They expressed concern about the competitive nature of the shoe market and the significant marketing, inventory support, and capital investment required to scale such a business.
Despite their concerns, they appreciated the product’s quality, the founders’ story, and the correct valuation presented by the founders.
Lisa Nguyen wasn’t ready to walk away without a deal and assured the Sharks that they could return their investment in two years from profits and revenues made.
Daymond John was impressed with this commitment and made an offer that deviated from the original request. He proposed $100,000 for a 25% stake in Baubles + Soles, increasing the equity ask from the initial 15% but maintaining the cash investment.
Recognizing the value in Daymond’s expertise and the growth potential, Lisa and Luke Nguyen accepted the deal, culminating in a successful Shark Tank pitch.
What Happened To Baubles + Soles After Shark Tank?
Baubles + Soles experienced some significant developments after its appearance on Shark Tank. The founders, Lisa and Duc Nguyen, continued their efforts to grow the company with the benefit of the deal they secured with Daymond John and the increased visibility from the show.
They pushed forward with their innovative, customizable children’s shoes, hoping to gain market share and popularity.
However, the journey proved challenging despite their hard work and initial success. On March 1, 2023, the founders announced on their Instagram page that they were ceasing operations and shutting down the company permanently.
The complexities of the market, operational challenges, financial issues, or a combination of these factors could have played a role in the unfortunate end to the Baubles + Soles journey.
Our research shows that Baubles + Soles went out of business in March 2023 after the founders announced its closure on Instagram. However, you can still find some of their products on Amazon.
What Is the Net Worth Of Baubles + Soles?
According to our research, the net worth of Baubles + Soles is $0 since the company went out of business. The valuation of Baubles + Soles was $600,000 after securing an investment from Daymond John on Shark Tank.
