Table of Contents
Spretz entered the Shark Tank with a highly unique idea: a small spray bottle that could freshen your breath and clean your hands at the very same time.
The product aimed to solve a common hygiene problem for people who were constantly on the move. Instead of carrying a large bottle of hand sanitizer and a pack of chewing gum, a consumer could just carry one tiny bottle of Spretz.
Despite an incredibly energetic pitch and a clever concept, the three founders walked away without an investment. The Sharks had serious doubts about the market demand for a product that combined mouth and hand care.
Did the company prove the wealthy investors wrong, or did the business eventually fail? This complete 2026 update explores everything that happened to Spretz after Shark Tank, the current net worth of the business, and what the talented founders are doing today.
What Is Spretz?
Spretz was designed as a multi-functional, all-in-one breath and hand freshener. The product was created as a compact, quick solution for hygiene fixes. It specifically targeted strong food and smoke odors that tend to linger on the hands and breath throughout the day.
The spray was manufactured in the United States in small, controlled batches. It was advertised as an all-natural product with zero calories and no sugar.
Instead of using harsh chemicals or heavy artificial ingredients, the formula relied on a simple mixture to achieve its goals.
| Spretz Product Specifications | Details |
| Product Purpose | 2-in-1 Breath and Hand Freshener |
| Available Flavors | Peppermint, Cinnamint |
| Key Ingredients | Purified water, Stevia sweetener, proprietary flavored extract, trace amounts of alcohol |
| Capacity | Approximately 70 sprays per bottle |
| Manufacturing | Made in the USA |
The product offered two primary flavors. The Peppermint flavor was designed to provide a cool, traditional minty sensation.
The Cinnamint flavor was designed to deliver a strong, spicy cinnamon taste that was very similar to popular cinnamon-flavored chewing gums.
Because each small bottle contained enough liquid for about 70 sprays, it was incredibly easy to carry in a pocket, a purse, or the glove compartment of a car.
The primary goal was to give consumers instant protection against bad breath and smelly hands with just a single product.
Who Founded Spretz?
Spretz was founded by three friends and business partners: Tony Gauthier, Scott Hoag, and Wesley Osaze. The three men brought completely different professional skills to the table to help build the brand from the ground up.
| Founder Name | Primary Role at Spretz |
| Tony Gauthier | Inventor and Business Manager |
| Scott Hoag | Sales and Marketing Strategy |
| Wesley Osaze | Product Development and Design |
Tony Gauthier was the original inventor of the spray. In 2012, he realized he wanted a single product that could quickly remove the smell of cigarette smoke and strong food from his hands and his mouth.
When he could not find anything on the market that did both things well, he decided to create it himself.
Scott Hoag had a very strong background in sales and marketing. He took over the marketing strategy and focused on figuring out how to get Spretz into the hands of target consumers.
Wesley Osaze had extensive experience in product development and finance. He was highly instrumental in designing the packaging and ensuring the tiny bottles looked attractive on store shelves.
Before appearing on national television, the trio worked very hard to develop the formula and test the market.
However, they struggled with large-scale retail distribution. They managed to get the product into a few local stores in the Oakland, California area, but they knew they needed a major financial investment to take the business nationwide.
Spertz Shark Tank Pitch (Season 7, Episode 15)
Tony Gauthier, Scott Hoag, and Wesley Osaze appeared on Shark Tank Season 7, Episode 15, which originally aired on January 8, 2016.
| Shark Tank Deal Sheet | Pitch Details |
| Investment Asked | $100,000 |
| Equity Offered | 20% |
| Implied Company Valuation | $500,000 |
| Total Lifetime Sales at Pitch | $3,500 (1,000 units) |
| Final Result | No Deal |
The team started their presentation with a highly energetic, carefully rehearsed hip-hop routine. They shared the story of how Tony came up with the idea after struggling to get the smell of smoke off his hands.
At the end of the fun routine, they shouted, “Welcome to the future of Fresh!” The entertaining pitch brought huge smiles to the faces of all the investors.
The founders quickly handed out sample bottles of the Peppermint and Cinnamint sprays. The Sharks tested the product and agreed that the flavors were pleasant and very strong.
However, the mood in the room quickly shifted when the investors started asking tough questions about the business model.
The Sharks Voice Their Concerns
Kevin O’Leary immediately questioned the product’s packaging. He pointed out that by just looking at the small bottle, a normal consumer would have no idea that it was meant to be used for both the mouth and the hands.
Wesley Osaze promised the panel that their future labels would clearly explain the dual purpose of the spray.
The sales numbers were the next major issue to tackle. The team honestly admitted that they had only sold about 1,000 units at a retail price of $3.95 each. This meant their total revenue over a two-month period was roughly $3,500.
For the Sharks, these sales numbers were far too low to prove that a real, profitable market existed for the product.
Lori Greiner decided to perform a live, practical test in the tank. She asked Tony to rub fresh, smelly garlic all over his hands.
She then sprayed Spretz directly onto his hands and smelled them. Surprisingly, she admitted that the spray actually worked very well to mask the heavy garlic odor.
Did Spretz Get a Deal?
Despite the successful garlic smell test, Spretz did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks.
Mark Cuban was the very first investor to drop out. He clearly explained that there is a massive mental disconnect between breath fresheners and hand sanitizers.
He felt the company would need to spend over a million dollars on marketing just to educate the public on how to comfortably use the product.
Robert Herjavec appreciated the founders’ incredible hustle and physical energy, but he simply did not believe in the product itself. He dropped out next. Kevin O’Leary was not impressed with the tiny sales figures and decided not to risk his money.
Barbara Corcoran told the founders that they were a powerful, impressive, and talented team. However, she believed they were wasting their valuable time and energy on a product that was far too small and niche to succeed in the real world.
Lori Greiner liked the team, but she did not feel the product was the right fit for her specific investment portfolio. She encouraged them to keep grinding, but she also declined to invest.
Spretz left the tank empty-handed, but the team remained highly determined to push forward.
What Happened to Spretz After Shark Tank?
The national exposure from Shark Tank usually causes a massive spike in website traffic and sales, but Spretz failed to capture that momentum. The company continued to operate for several years, but it faced a very tough uphill battle.
The founders eventually updated their website and began selling the product in three-packs for $9.99.
However, the business never managed to secure the major retail partnerships needed to survive long-term. There was no widespread distribution in local convenience stores, gas stations, or major pharmacy chains.
Online customer reviews were very mixed. Some buyers liked the convenience of the spray, but many others complained about the high cost.
On Amazon, a single bottle was priced at almost $8.00 plus shipping. Many consumers felt this was far too expensive for a tiny bottle of breath spray.
The company also struggled with clear marketing rules. Because the product only contained very trace amounts of alcohol, it was not actually a medical-grade hand sanitizer.
The company had to place strict disclaimers on its website stating that Spretz was not a substitute for washing hands with soap and water or brushing teeth. This made it a pure novelty item rather than a required daily hygiene product.
Over the years, the business slowly stagnated. The website experienced long periods of downtime where customers could not buy anything. When the site was active, all of the products were frequently listed as “sold out”.
Although Tony mentioned plans to release exciting new flavors like Citrus and Vanilla Lavender, these new ideas never successfully launched to the public.
Is Spretz Still in Business in 2026?
No, Spretz is no longer in business. The company has completely ceased operations, and the product is no longer available for purchase online or in any retail stores.
While the founders kept trying to keep the brand alive and active through 2021, their business efforts eventually stopped. By 2022, the company website was frequently offline and completely unreachable.
In March 2023, the official domain name expired entirely, marking the official end of the business. The brand’s social media pages have also been abandoned for many years.
What Is the Net Worth of Spretz?
As of 2026, the net worth of Spretz is exactly $0. The company is permanently closed and generates absolutely no revenue.
When the founders appeared on Shark Tank in 2016, they asked for $100,000 in exchange for 20% equity. This request implied a company valuation of $500,000.
However, because the Sharks rejected the pitch and the company had less than $4,000 in lifetime sales at the time, this $500,000 valuation was strictly theoretical and was never actually realized in the real market.
Where Are the Founders Today? (2026 Updates)
Although the spray business failed, all three founders have gone on to build highly successful and stable careers in other major industries.
Barbara Corcoran was exactly right when she said the team was talented but simply focused on the wrong product.
| Founder | 2026 Professional Career Path |
| Wesley Osaze | Franchise Owner in Real Estate Inspection |
| Scott Hoag | Cloud Technology Expert and Podcaster |
| Tony Gauthier | Government Public Information Officer |
Wesley Osaze
Wesley Osaze has built a very strong career in finance, technology, and real estate. After the spray business closed, he worked as a senior project manager for Kaiser
Permanente and held finance roles at major tech companies like McAfee and LinkedIn. He also worked as a trusted investment consultant for AssetMark, Inc..
In 2024, Wesley took his entrepreneurial spirit in a brand new direction. He became the official owner of a Pillar To Post Home Inspectors franchise located in Oakland, California.
Today, he runs this successful local franchise, offering professional home inspections, water quality testing, and mold detection services for real estate buyers all across the Bay Area.
Scott Hoag
Scott Hoag completely transitioned into the technology sector and became a leading national expert in cloud computing. Today, he is a recognized specialist in Microsoft SharePoint and Azure platforms.
He has written professional study guides for the tech industry, including a book called “Exam Ref AZ-103: Microsoft Azure Administrator”.
He also shares his deep tech knowledge by co-hosting a very popular weekly show called the “Microsoft Cloud IT Pro Podcast”. His modern career in tech has proven to be highly successful and financially stable.
Tony Gauthier
Tony Gauthier, the original inventor of the spray, stepped away from the stressful consumer goods industry entirely.
By 2021, he had accepted a stable, long-term government position working as a Public Information Officer for the California Department of Transportation.
Why Did the Spertz Really Fail? A 2026 Market View
Looking back at the product from a 2026 perspective, it is very easy to understand why the business model did not survive. The ultimate failure of Spretz came down to three major market factors.
1. The Sanitizer Market Demands Alcohol
The personal hygiene market has shifted dramatically over the last decade. In 2026, the United States hand sanitizer market is massive, worth roughly $6.13 billion. However, the vast majority of consumers (exactly 88.7%) choose to buy thick, gel-based products rather than thin sprays.
More importantly, people want products from massive, trusted brands like Purell that use strong ethyl alcohol to guarantee the removal of dangerous germs. Spretz only used “trace amounts of alcohol”.
Because it did not have enough alcohol to kill germs effectively, it could not compete as a real medical-grade sanitizer.
2. Deep Consumer Confusion
Combining a breath mint and a hand cleaner sounds like a fun idea on paper, but it heavily confuses the average shopper in the store.
People expect hand hygiene products to smell like clean rubbing alcohol or fresh soap. They expect mouth products to taste like mint or cinnamon.
Spraying a product that smells and tastes like spicy cinnamon onto dirty hands simply felt wrong and confusing to most consumers. Mark Cuban was right; the message was far too complicated for a small label to explain clearly.
3. Economic Pressures and Value Shopping
In 2026, everyday American consumers are very careful with their money due to shifting economic pressures. Shoppers are actively looking for the best value. Data shows that buyers prefer everyday low prices (EDLP) at large supermarkets.
A tiny bottle of specialty spray that cost almost $8 online was viewed as a completely unnecessary luxury item.
Consumers quickly realized they could simply buy a cheap pack of gum and a very large, proven bottle of hand sanitizer for a fraction of the total cost. When families need to save money, fun novelty items like Spretz are the very first things they stop buying.
Final Thoughts
Spretz is a classic example of a Shark Tank product that solved a very specific problem for the inventor, but totally failed to find a massive audience in the real world.
Tony Gauthier created the spray to help remove the smell of smoke from his own hands and breath. While the product did exactly what he personally wanted it to do, the general American public did not share that same urgent need.
The founders put on an amazing television presentation and fought extremely hard to keep the business alive for several years.
Even though Spretz ultimately closed its doors and reached a net worth of $0, the three men behind the brand took the hard lessons they learned and applied them to new, thriving careers in real estate, technology, and government service.
For fans of business and reality television, the complete story of Spretz remains an excellent lesson: sometimes an interesting invention does not always make for a profitable, long-term company.
