Did CurlMix Go Out of Business? Revenue, Net Worth & Shark Tank Update

Standing under the bright studio lights of the Shark Tank, rejecting a $400,000 offer requires a spine of steel and absolute confidence in your product. In Season 10, husband-and-wife team Kim and Tim Lewis did exactly that, turning down a massive cash injection from Robert Herjavec to protect the equity in their clean hair care brand, CurlMix. The decision left the Sharks stunned and viewers wondering if the founders had just made a catastrophic error.

The Bottom Line

• Kim and Tim Lewis walked away from a $400,000 offer for 20% equity, prioritizing their long-term ownership over immediate Shark Tank capital.
• The founders bypassed traditional venture capital, raising over $5.7 million through community equity crowdfunding on WeFunder.
• As of today, CurlMix operates under its parent company, Listener Brands Inc., boasts over $40 million in lifetime sales, and commands shelf space in 460 Ulta Beauty stores nationwide.

What is CurlMix?

CurlMix is a direct-to-consumer beauty and hair care brand specializing in clean, organic, and highly effective products tailored specifically for people with thick, curly, and coily hair textures.

Their flagship offering is a four-step Wash and Go system designed to provide lasting curl definition, extreme hydration, and absolute hold without leaving a crunchy or flaky residue.

Industry	Founder(s)	Core Product	Retail Price	Target Audience
Beauty & Hair Care	Kim Lewis & Tim Lewis	4-Step Wash & Go System (Flaxseed & Quinoa Gel)	$18/bottle (Discounts on full kits)	Consumers with Type 3 and Type 4 curly, coily, and kinky hair

The Founder(s) Behind CurlMix

The story of CurlMix begins in the South Side of Chicago with high school sweethearts Kim and Tim Lewis. Long before they were handling multi-million dollar manufacturing facilities, they were college graduates trying to find their footing in the entrepreneurial world.

Their initial seed capital came from an unlikely source: trivia. Tim utilized his obsession with learning to compete on the hit game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, walking away with a $100,000 prize. He invested a portion of his winnings into Kim’s very first business venture, a social network designed for women with curly hair called the Natural Hair Academy. While the social network failed to gain long-term traction, it provided Kim with invaluable data regarding what the curly-haired community actually needed.

In 2015, Kim launched CurlMix. The original business model was vastly different from what it is today. It started as a monthly DIY subscription box. Customers paid to receive raw, natural ingredients shipped to their doors so they could mix their own organic hair care products at home. Launch day was a complete disaster, Kim sold exactly one box.

Instead of folding the company, she went back to the drawing board. Kim completely revamped her website, reached out to natural hair influencers, and launched the brand a second time. The pivot worked. They sold 90 boxes on the first day and generated $100,000 in sales over the following year. 

However, as the customer base expanded, a distinct trend emerged. Buyers loved the clean ingredients and the results, but they actively disliked the tedious mixing process. They demanded convenience. 

In March 2018, the Lewises listened to their core demographic and shifted the business model entirely, dropping the DIY kits and formulating their top-selling flaxseed gel for commercial sale. Revenue exploded, setting the stage for their national television debut.

CurlMix’s Shark Tank Pitch & Deal

Kim and Tim stepped onto the Shark Tank carpet during Season 10, Episode 14. They delivered a polished, high-energy presentation, seeking $400,000 in exchange for a 10% equity stake in CurlMix. This ask placed a $4 million valuation on their company.

The founders immediately handed out product samples to the panel. Robert Herjavec admitted he did not fully understand the product initially, but he physically noticed the softening effect the gel had on the hair models standing on the stage. The Lewises then broke down their financials, and the numbers were highly impressive. They projected hitting $1 million in top-line revenue by the end of the year, with an estimated $180,000 in pure profit. Furthermore, their unit economics were outstanding. It cost exactly $3 to manufacture a single bottle of product, which retailed between $25 and $30.

Despite the rock-solid margins, the Sharks hesitated. Mark Cuban was the first to drop out, stating clearly that he did not understand the product category or the target market.

Lori Greiner quickly followed suit, expressing that she lacked the specific beauty industry expertise required to scale the brand effectively.

Guest Shark Alli Webb, a beauty veteran, agreed that the hair care market was incredibly crowded and opted out.

Kevin O’Leary delivered his signature blunt critique, arguing that there was nothing proprietary about organic hair gel and warning that a massive beauty conglomerate would eventually crush them.

Robert Herjavec stood alone. He believed in the founders’ hustle and the immediate proof of concept. He offered them the exact $400,000 they asked for, but he demanded 20% equity, double the company share they intended to surrender. Kim stood firm, countering with 15%. Robert refused to negotiate, stating his offer was firm.

Kim and Tim explained that they had already aggressively lowered their internal valuation from $6.9 million down to $4 million just to make the pitch attractive to the panel. The other Sharks verbally urged the couple to accept the money, calling it a fair deal.

However, knowing their true worth and the potential of their direct-to-consumer model, Kim and Tim politely declined the offer and walked out of the Tank empty-handed.

Season / Episode	Initial Ask & Valuation	Sharks Present	Notable Offers	Final On-Air Deal
Season 10, Ep 14	$400,000 for 10% ($4M Valuation)	Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Alli Webb	Robert Herjavec: $400,000 for 20%	NO DEAL (Walked Away)

Did the CurlMix Deal Actually Close?

Because the founders rejected Robert Herjavec’s offer directly on the television stage, there was no deal to close off-camera. Unlike many Shark Tank pitches that secure handshakes on air only to fall apart during the due diligence phase, CurlMix was a definitive, immediate rejection by the entrepreneurs. Kim and Tim Lewis retained 100% control of their company the moment they left the studio lot.

CurlMix After Shark Tank: The Current Update

Rejecting Robert Herjavec’s offer quickly proved to be the most lucrative decision the founders ever made. The exposure from the Shark Tank broadcast created an immediate surge in traffic, allowing CurlMix to reach $900,000 in sales by March 2019. 

Shortly after, Kim and Tim bypassed the Sharks entirely and raised $1.2 million in seed funding. This round was backed by heavyweights including former LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner and Backstage Capital founder Arlan Hamilton, pushing their valuation to a robust $12 million.

However, as the company needed more capital to scale its manufacturing capabilities, the founders ran into a systemic wall. Kim Lewis has spoken openly about the harsh realities of venture capital, noting that Black female founders consistently face underestimation and receive less than 0.01% of VC funding.

Tired of fighting for a seat at the traditional table, CurlMix pivoted their strategy and went directly to the people who believed in them the most: their customers.

Starting in 2021, the company launched a series of equity crowdfunding campaigns on the platform WeFunder. The response was historic. They raised over $4.5 million in a matter of days.

As of today, their total WeFunder raises exceeded $5.7 million, sourced from more than 8,500 everyday investors. They also secured backing from Cleveland Avenue, a venture firm founded by Don Thompson, the former President and CEO of McDonald’s Corporation.

This massive influx of community capital allowed the Lewises to take total control of their supply chain. They built out a sprawling, 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Chicago, complete with massive kettles and automated filling machines capable of supporting nine figures in production. They established a parent company, Listener Brands Inc., which allowed them to launch a sister line called 4C ONLY, explicitly engineered for tight, kinky hair textures.

The growth metrics continued to skyrocket. CurlMix generated $5 million in sales in 2019, $6 million in 2020, and finally crossed the eight-figure mark with $10 million in gross revenue in 2022. By 2023, they cracked the elusive mainstream retail market, securing placement in 460 Ulta Beauty locations across the country.

As of today, CurlMix remains a powerhouse in the independent beauty sector. CEO Kim Lewis continues to write a popular weekly newsletter called the “Monday Mixer,” communicating directly with a loyal base of over 260,000 customers. 

In the first quarter of 2026, the company ran a highly successful “Protect CurlMix” community initiative. Faced with shifting retail landscapes and an incredibly competitive market, Kim rallied her core supporters, generating over 20,000 direct orders in a matter of weeks to solidify the brand’s cash flow and market position.

What is the Net Worth and Valuation of CurlMix?

Listener Brands Inc. remains a privately held corporation, meaning exact day-to-day balance sheets are kept internal. However, strict financial disclosures from their recent WeFunder rounds and public retail milestones provide a highly accurate view of the company’s financial health.

In mid-2024, the company officially reported crossing $40 million in lifetime revenue. Factoring in their sustained retail presence at Ulta Beauty, their successful first-quarter 2026 sales campaigns, and the operational output of their Chicago factory, lifetime sales are estimated to be comfortably north of $50 million.

In the beauty and direct-to-consumer sectors, companies with proprietary in-house manufacturing, strong customer retention programs, and multi-million dollar annual revenues typically command a valuation multiple of 3x to 5x their annual net sales. 

Based on these industry standards and their previous $12 million seed valuation, business analysts estimate the 2026 valuation of Listener Brands (CurlMix and 4C ONLY) to sit between $30 million and $45 million.

Consequently, the net worth of founders Kim and Tim Lewis has surged. By retaining the vast majority of their equity and utilizing community fundraising instead of predatory venture capital, the husband-and-wife team currently possesses an estimated combined net worth of $15 million to $20 million.

Is CurlMix Still in Business?

Yes, CurlMix is absolutely still in business. The company operates daily out of its massive Chicago-based facility, maintaining tight control over its formulations and shipping logistics. 

Kim Lewis serves actively as CEO, while Tim Lewis operates as the Chief Technology Officer of Listener Brands Inc. The brand continues to iterate on its core products, recently launching advanced formulas like their Ultra-Hold 4-Step Wash & Go System featuring Quinoa Protein Gel.

Where to Buy CurlMix?

For consumers looking to purchase CurlMix or 4C ONLY products, the most direct route is through their official e-commerce storefront at CurlMix.com. Purchasing directly from the website grants access to their full catalog, seasonal discounts, and their famous 21-Day Masterclass designed to educate buyers on natural hair care techniques. 

For those who prefer to shop in person, CurlMix maintains a strong retail footprint and is available on the shelves of over 460 Ulta Beauty locations throughout the United States.

Top CurlMix Competitors and Alternatives

The organic and natural hair care market has exploded since CurlMix first pitched their vision in Season 10. While they maintain a fiercely loyal customer base, they fight for market share against several heavily funded corporations and rising indie brands.

According to market data from Tracxn, primary competitors include:

• DevaCurl: The legacy corporate giant that Kim and Tim explicitly named as their main competitor during their Shark Tank pitch. DevaCurl continues to hold massive market share in commercial salons.
• Prose: A Brooklyn-based, internet-first brand offering highly customized organic hair care products, backed by over $25 million in venture capital funding.
• Vegamour: A direct-to-consumer juggernaut in the natural hair space that has secured over $80 million from firms like General Atlantic.
• Curlsmith: A premium, natural curl-focused brand backed by Unilever Ventures, directly competing with CurlMix for shelf space in high-end cosmetic retailers.