Table of Contents
Reviver is a remarkable product that debuted in Season 6 of Shark Tank. It was conceived by the Kusin brothers, Ben and Eric, who sought to design a solution for eliminating unpleasant odors from clothes and hair, conceptually described as “breath mints for your clothes.”
The concept was born from Ben’s realization of needing to freshen up his clothes after being around cigarette smoke, and thus, Reviver was brought into existence.
Reviver’s primary product is a compact, reusable wipe impregnated with a patented formula. These deodorizing wipes are designed to fit over your fingers, offering convenience and ease of use.
With just a few swipes, the wipes can freshen up clothes, hair, shoes, and even the interior of automobiles contaminated by smoke, food, or other odors. The wipes can be used multiple times, and their efficacy in odor elimination makes them a practical solution to a common problem.
Reviver is characterized by its flexibility and portability. The wipes are small and compact, making them ideal for on-the-go use. You can keep them in your bag, car, or even your pocket, ensuring you have a quick and easy way to refresh your clothes and hair whenever needed.
Reviver offers value in the market, as it’s one of the few products focusing on dry deodorization instead of the more common sprays. Furthermore, a pet-friendly variant is available, signifying the brand’s understanding of diverse customer needs.
Reviver’s success is partly due to its innovation and relevance and the strong entrepreneurial foundation provided by the Kusin brothers.
Gary Kusin, a seasoned entrepreneur and venture capitalist, has backed Reviver, which has forged partnerships with major retailers like Walgreens and Petco.
Reviver is a practical and user-friendly product. Its approach to tackling common odor problems, convenience, and portability makes it a standout choice for consumers.
With an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to practical solutions, the Kusin brothers have created a product that truly redefines how we think about deodorization.
| Company Name | Reviver |
| Entrepreneur | Ben Kusins & Eric Kusins |
| Product / Business | Dry wipes that eliminate odors |
| Investment Asking For | $150,000 for 5% equity in Reviver |
| Final Deal | $150,000 for 15% equity in Reviver |
| Shark | Lori Greiner |
| Episode | Season 6, Episode 4 |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Website | Reviver Website |
| Estimated Net Worth | $0 |
What Is Reviver?
Reviver is a product designed to refresh the smell of clothing and fabrics. It is a dry wipe that can quickly and conveniently wipe down clothing, giving it a fresh smell and feel. Reviver is a company known for creating the world’s first dry deodorant for clothes in the form of a compact wipe.
These wipes are designed to remove odors from clothing, hair, shoes, and even the interiors of cars contaminated by smoke or food. The odor-eliminating chemicals used in Reviver wipes can refresh you from head to toe in seconds.
Reviver was a business that produced freshening clothes wipes designed to remove unwanted odors. The product was created by Ben Kusin, who noticed a gap in the market for a quick and easy solution to freshen clothes, similar to mints or gum freshen breath.
The Reviver wipes were versatile and could be used on any fabric, offering a convenient way to refresh clothes on the go. The product line was expanded to include wipes designed to combat pet odors.
Who Is The Founder Of Reviver?
Reviver, a company specializing in odor-eliminating wipes, was founded by Ben Kusin from Dallas, Texas. Born into a family with deep entrepreneurial roots, Ben is the oldest son of businessman Gary Kusin, founder of the renowned video game retailer GameStop and former CEO of FedEx Office.
His mother, Karleen, is equally business savvy, owning JK Chocolate, which produces premium cookies and chocolate sauces. Ben’s idea for Reviver came about unexpectedly.
One day in 2007, standing in line at a convenience store, he overheard a whispered conversation behind him that made him realize he smelled like an ashtray due to his smoking habit.
This realization prompted him to search for a product that could help eliminate the tobacco smell from his clothes, akin to the mints and gums available to freshen one’s breath. To his surprise, no such product existed, which led him to identify a significant gap in the market.
Fueled by this ‘eureka’ moment and backed by a generous investment from his father, Ben embarked on a four-year-long development journey.
During this period, Ben brought his younger brother Eric, a former buyer at Neiman Marcus, on board as the company president and Chief Operating Officer. By 2011, the Reviver business was launched, providing freshening clothes wipes that could effectively remove unwanted odors.
Before their appearance on Shark Tank in October 2014, Reviver had started gaining some traction. Ben and Eric managed to have their product stocked in Petco stores nationwide, thanks to an expanded product line that included a wipe for pet odors.
Despite the progress, the Kusin brothers understood the tremendous boost that an appearance on Shark Tank could provide their business and sought the potential partnership of a shark to open up future sales opportunities.
With sales amounting to $500,000 in under 10 months, and their product stocked in approximately 1,200 Petco stores nationwide, they were well-prepared for the big stage.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Reviver?
During their Shark Tank pitch in Season 6, brothers Ben and Eric Kusin showcased Reviver, their business selling odor-removing wipes for clothing. The Kusins arrived on the show seeking an investment of $150,000 in exchange for 5% equity in their company.
The presentation was memorable as the brothers brought a t-shirt stored in a sealed bag with burgers and fries, resulting in a strong, unpleasant smell. After using the Reviver wipe on the shirt, Lori Greiner was asked to sniff it. She was impressed by how the odor had been effectively removed.
During the pitch, the brothers revealed that their successful entrepreneur father had already invested $2 million. This disclosure startled the Sharks, raising questions about the sizable investment.
By the time of their presentation, the company had been in business for approximately ten months and had generated over $500,000 in gross revenue sales. About half of these sales came from a partnership with Petco, a pet supply chain.
The Sharks had mixed views on the product. Mark Cuban decided to drop out first, viewing Reviver wipes as a ‘formulation’ rather than a technological breakthrough. He was followed by Kevin O’Leary, who concluded that the sales didn’t justify the company’s valuation.
Barbara Corcoran also dropped out, citing her concerns about the founders’ family wealth potentially affecting their motivation and drive.
Lori Greiner, however, was highly impressed with the product. She offered $150,000 in return for a larger equity stake of 15%. Robert Herjavec also extended an offer, proposing the same investment for a smaller 10% equity stake.
After considering their options, the Kusin brothers accepted Lori’s offer. Despite her request for a larger equity stake, they likely saw value in her extensive retail connections and the strategic partnership she could offer.
Post-Shark Tank, it remains unclear whether the Reviver business continued operations. Their product was available on Amazon for some time, but their company website disappeared, and their social media accounts became inactive, suggesting the business might have ceased operations.
Final Deal: Lori agreed to a deal for $150K for a 15 percent stake in Reviver.
What Happened To Reviver After Shark Tank?
After appearing on Shark Tank, Reviver, founded by Ben Kusin, gained significant attention and secured a deal with Lori Greiner. During their Shark Tank pitch, Ben and Eric Kusin sought a $150,000 investment for a 5% equity stake in their company.
While Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary declined the opportunity, Barbara Corcoran refused based on her principle of not investing in “rich kids” businesses. However, Lori was impressed with the product and offered $150,000 for a 15% equity stake, which the brothers accepted.
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Reviver experienced growth and success. They partnered with MirMir and invested in a restaurant called Malibu Poke. Additionally, they expanded their product line to include wipes for pets.
Despite their achievements, as of 2023, their wipes business is no longer active, and their website has been taken down. However, the Kusin brothers have been involved in other ventures: Ben founded VENN, a gaming and entertainment network, and Eric has been associated with JK Chocolate, Malibu Poke, and MirMir.
The future of Reviver Wipes remains uncertain, as the wipes business seems inactive as of 2023. While the company has achieved annual revenues of $5 million, its products’ current status and availability are unclear.
The Kusin brothers have faced both success and controversy in their entrepreneurial endeavors but have remained resilient in their business pursuits.
Reviver Shark Tank Update
After appearing on Shark Tank, the Reviver business experienced several ups and downs. The company successfully closed a deal with Lori Greiner, one of the sharks on the show, who invested $150,000 for a 15% equity stake in the company.
Lori’s support helped the Kusin brothers promote their product, which was sold on QVC and Amazon for some time. However, the company’s future did not seem to unfold as smoothly as one might expect from a business that secured a deal on Shark Tank.
The Kusin brothers’ focus appears to have shifted to other ventures over time. For instance, they began investing in a restaurant called Malibu Poke, based in Dallas, and even opened a second location in Austin. They also partnered with MirMir, a mobile Photo Booth business that had also appeared on Shark Tank.
As for Reviver itself, the business gradually slowed down. Their social media accounts, including their Twitter handle, became inactive, with the last update being in May 2022.
The same year, the Reviver Wipes website was taken down and displayed a message that read, “We’ll be back soon! Reviver Wipes is currently unavailable.”
By 2023, it was clear that the wipes business was no longer active. While the website indicated a potential comeback, no updates or new launches were reported, leaving the future of Reviver uncertain.
According to online sources, Ben Kusin left Reviver in 2019 and founded a new company called VENN, which provided a 24/7 network for streaming, entertaining, gaming, and e-sports audiences. The company lasted two years until 2021, when Ben shifted his attention to his Dallas Poke business.
Eric Kusin, on the other hand, joined JK Chocolate, a Dallas-based dessert company, as a partner in 2022 and listed Malibu Poke and MirMir as his places of employment.
The Reviver brand and its odor-removing wipes are no longer in operation, and the brothers have moved on to other business ventures.
Is Reviver Still In Business?
Our research shows that Reviver appears to no longer be in business. Their website has been taken down, and there has been no activity on their social media accounts since 2022. Ben and Eric Kusin’s founders have moved on to other ventures.
Ben founded a company called VENN in 2019, which operated until 2021, and he is now focusing on his Dallas Poke business. Eric has been a partner at JK Chocolate since 2022 and lists Malibu Poke and MirMir as his places of employment.
Despite Reviver being listed as “active” on his LinkedIn page, there are no clear signs that the company is still operational.
What Is the Net Worth Of Reviver?
According to our research, the net worth of Reviver is $0 since the company has been out of business. The valuation of Reviver was $1 million after securing an investment from Lori Greiner on Shark Tank.
