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Shark Tank season 1 episode 11 featured Marix Stone and Dr. Nancy Tanchel pitching Hells Bells Helmets.
Hells Bells Helmets is a firm that creates custom-designed motorcycle helmets that feature three-dimensional sculpting and are deeply sculpted. It is a Philadelphia-based firm that designs and manufactures proprietary, custom-sculpted 3D helmets.
Hells Bells Helmets offers a unique collection of high-quality motorcycle helmets designed for style and safety. Each helmet combines innovative designs with superior comfort, ensuring a perfect fit for riders.
With various styles and colors, Hells Bells Helmets cater to all preferences, making it a motorcycle enthusiast’s go-to choice. Their commitment to craftsmanship and durability sets them apart in the market, providing riders with protection and a bold look on the road.
Hells Bells Helmets has been manufacturing sculpted motorcycle helmets since 1993. All of the helmets are unique and approved by the Department of Transportation.
| Company Name | Hells Bells Helmets / BadAss Helmet |
| Entrepreneur | Marix Stone And Dr. Nancy Tanche |
| Product | Custom motorcycle helmets made by 3D printing |
| Investment Asking For | $500,000 For 20% equity in Hells Bells Helmets |
| Final Deal | $500,000 For 50% equity in Hells Bells Helmets |
| Shark | Daymond John |
| Episode | Season 1, Episode 11 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | BadAss Helmet Website |
Who Is The Founder Of Hells Bells Helmets?
Marix Stone is a sculptor and motorbike enthusiast who wanted to put these abilities to good use and founded Hells Bells Helmets. Stone began designing motorcycle helmets in 1993 and has experimented with various designs.
It became his goal to design custom motorcycle helmets, and he eventually developed a business where each helmet was made to order. Dr. Nancy Tanchel joined Stone, and together, they co-founded Hells Bells Helmets.
Marix and Dr. Nancy proposed the idea to the Sharks in 2010 to attract well-known motorbike enthusiast Daymond John.
Marix Stone is a sculptor and motorbike enthusiast who desired to put his abilities and passion to good use. Stone began experimenting with motorcycle helmet design in 1993 and has continued to do so.
It became his passion to create bespoke motorcycle helmets, and eventually, he built a business where every helmet is unique. Marix Stone and Dr. Nancy Tanchel collaborated to found Hells Bells Helmets.
The products are patented and one-of-a-kind and have received safety certification from the Department of Transportation.
Hells Bells Helmets has been thriving since it was founded, but Marix is taking the company to the Shark Tank to find an investor willing to invest enough money in it to begin mass production.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Hells Bells Helmets?
Stone and Tanchel appeared on the Shark Tank requesting an investment of $500,000 in exchange for a 20% stake in Hells Bells Helmets.
Hells Bells Helmets are motorcycle helmets that can feature 3D graphics thanks to him, as he invented both the process and the actual graphics involved in creating this type of art. The standard safety helmet was redesigned to be more visually appealing and safer.
Stone begins to stammer after explaining the product, and Daymond John makes a joke, telling him, “Don’t worry, there are only millions watching.” Stone’s nerves continue to fray, requiring Tanchel, his business partner and CEO, to step in and take control of the discussion.
Tanchel informs the Sharks that they control the rights to a patent that enables them to apply 3D designs to motorcycle helmets and any other type of athletic helmet.
Kevin O’Leary asks Tanchel how the company has been doing so far, and he says they are on track to generate $300,000 in revenue from the motorcycle helmets.
Two helmets have been inspected closely by John and O’Leary, while Tanchel says he is seeking investment to make the product in large quantities.
Robert Herjavec, for instance, did not want a death-related design on his helmet, which is one of O’Leary’s reservations.
Stone and Tanchel ensure that the helmet design is customizable to the customer’s specifications, so it is not an issue.
Moving on to pricing, Kevin Harrington inquires about the usual cost of a personalized helmet.
The typical Hells Bells Helmet retails for roughly $175, with an over 50% profit margin. If they could mass-produce, their profit margins would increase as well.
During the interview, O’Leary asked Tanchel how much revenue they anticipate having by the end of the year, which he estimates to be about $175,000.
While Harrington admits that the company has incredible potential to grow beyond its current size, he does not believe writing a check for 5 million dollars would be wise, and therefore, he declines to invest.
O’Leary is the next person to make a decision. He admires the duo’s zeal and enjoys trying on the helmet, but he is concerned that if he invests in Hells Bells today, he will regret it tomorrow since there is little evidence that the company can succeed in the market.
Keeping this in mind, he also refrains from investing in the business. It is not even worth their time for Lori Greiner to explain why she is not investing; she says no.
The final Sharks are dissuaded from taking Hells Bells on as an investment if they can obtain the necessary cash to start mass-producing the helmets. Tanchel makes a desperate attempt to re-engage the two Sharks.
Despite the high asking price, they already have a patent granting them the exclusive right to create 3D designs for any sporting helmet. The company has just $300,000 in revenue, but John tells them it is valued at $2.5 million despite their ambitious plans.
Herjavec asks the customers if they want to manufacture large quantities of helmets or sell large quantities and suggests they would take large royalty payments if they licensed the patent to another company.
The Stones tell John they would be pleased to do so, allowing him to speak up and make his offer. For $500,000 and 50% of the company, he would license the patent to many companies where he would do business.
Herjavec was about to offer them $500,000, but he decided not to because he planned to demand 75%. Stone is worried that if the patent is licensed to many businesses, the product’s quality will suffer, but in the end, John’s offer convinces them to join forces.
Final Deal: Daymond John agreed to invest $500,000 for a 50% stake in Hells Bells Helmets.
What Happened To Hells Bells Helmets After Shark Tank?
Marix Stone and Daymond John had difficulties agreeing after the show’s conclusion. Both parties disputed the deal’s contents; they eventually walked away without signing anything.
The Hells Bells Helmet business did not necessarily suffer because of that. Instead, it continued to grow following its Shark Tank appearance.
Hells Bells also creates bespoke 3D patterns for motorcycle gas tanks, fenders, and 3D sporting helmets. Hells Bell now employs several additional fabricators to mass-produce its items.
After the performance, the studio garnered so much attention that they landed a design contract with FX’s “Sons of Anarchy,” a drama about a clan of outlaw bikers. The show featured some of their custom motorcycle helmets.
The stake asked by Daymond John in Hell Bell Helmets was too much for the founders, so Marix Stone didn’t finalize the deal. He agreed on Shark Tank.
You can purchase customized and personalized Hell Bells Helmets. The company has expanded its fabrication team in its Philadelphia workshop.
Hells Bells Helmets has expanded its offerings to include 3-D custom motorcycle gas tanks and fenders. They sell through their website, Harley-Davidson dealerships, and numerous independent bike shops.
Hells Bells Helmets generates $15 million in annual revenue. Hells Bells Helmets have renamed themselves as Bad Ass Helmets.
Following the shark tank event, Hells Bells Helmets expanded significantly. Hells Bells Helmets also produces 3D designs for motorbike gas fenders and tanks and employs other fabricators to assist mass production.
Furthermore, after the presentation, the company received so much attention that it partnered with “Sons of Anarchy,” which featured several unique helmets.
Today, Hells Bells Helmets firm is still in business and thriving, renaming Bad Ass Helmet and expanding its product line to include gear and dog helmets!
The valuation of Hells Bells Helmets was $1 million after securing investment from Daymond John on Season 1 of Shark Tank. The current net worth of Hells Bells Helmets is estimated to be $10 million.
