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You know that feeling when you're watching Shark Tank and a deal looks so perfect you almost want to cheer for the TV? That was Megan Cummins. Back in Season 3, she walked into the tank with You Smell, a luxury soap brand that felt like it was already halfway to a department store shelf.
Megan was young, smart, and had this graphic design background that made her packaging look like a million bucks. Seriously, it didn't look like a "college project," even though that's exactly where it started. She asked for $55,000 for 20% of the business. By the time she walked out, she had a deal with Robert Herjavec that included her $55k investment plus a $50k salary. It was the "dream scenario."
But if you’ve followed the show for a while, you know the handshake on camera is just the beginning of the paperwork. Or, in Megan's case, the beginning of a massive headache.
The Shark Tank Deal That Never Was
Honestly, the reality of what happened after the cameras stopped rolling is kinda heartbreaking. Most people think once you hug a Shark, the money hits your bank account the next week. It doesn't. There’s a thing called due diligence, and for Megan, this is where the wheels fell off.
Despite the on-air celebrations, the $105,000 total package from Robert never materialized.
According to Megan, things changed fast. Robert reportedly came back with a different offer: 50% of the company instead of 20%. That’s a huge jump. Imagine being told you’re a partner and then being told you’re basically just an employee in your own dream. She turned it down. Can you blame her?
There was a lot of back-and-forth in the press after that. Robert’s team basically said they realized it was a "startup" with no sales, but Megan’s pitch was pretty clear about her being "pre-venture." It was a classic "he said, she said" situation that left the entrepreneur in a tough spot. She had already quit her job. She was all-in.
What Happened to You Smell Soap?
You’d think a failed deal would be the end, right? Not for Megan. She’s famously tenacious. She actually told the Sharks she was the "most tenacious person" they'd ever meet, and she proved it.
Even without Robert’s money, the "Shark Tank effect" is real. After the episode aired, the website exploded. People loved the brand. She eventually found another investor who actually followed through.
Here is the timeline of what went down:
- 2012: Episode airs; deal with Robert fails; Megan finds a private investor.
- 2014: Megan decides to sell the company. She sold You Smell to an outside investor for an undisclosed amount.
- 2016: The brand officially went out of business under the new ownership.
It’s a bittersweet ending for the soap company, but it wasn't the end of Megan.
Life After Soap: Sparklepop and Beyond
Megan didn't just sit around. In 2014, she launched Sparklepop, a fashion jewelry brand. If you look at her career, there's a pattern: she’s a branding genius. Sparklepop took off even faster than the soap did.
Her jewelry ended up in O, The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and Women's Health. It was everywhere. She ran that company for about five years before closing it down in 2019 to pivot again.
Lately, she’s been leaning into her design roots. She runs Megan Cummins Designs, a contract firm, and an Etsy shop called Downloads that Donate. She’s also a huge animal advocate—she’s used her businesses to support no-kill shelters for years. It’s cool to see someone stay true to their values even after the Shark Tank meat grinder.
The Lessons You Can Actually Use
If you're an entrepreneur looking at the Megan Cummins Shark Tank story, there are some pretty blunt truths to take away.
1. A handshake isn't a contract.
Never celebrate a deal until the money is in escrow. The due diligence phase is where many Shark Tank deals die quietly.
2. Your "No" is your power.
Megan could have taken Robert’s 50% offer just to say she had a Shark. She didn't. She knew her worth, and even though it made things harder in the short term, she kept her integrity.
3. Branding is your loudest voice.
The only reason Megan got those offers in the first place—and the reason she found another investor so quickly—was that her product looked incredible. She proved that if you have a world-class aesthetic, people will overlook a lack of sales history.
4. It's okay to exit.
Selling You Smell in 2014 was a smart move. Not every business is meant to be a 40-year legacy. Sometimes, you build it, sell it, and move on to the next "pop."
Where is Megan Cummins Now in 2026?
As of early 2026, Megan has moved away from the high-pressure world of luxury consumer goods and is more focused on design and creative consulting. She’s effectively a "serial entrepreneur" who learned the hard way how the TV business works.
The soap might be gone, but her story is still one of the most cited examples of why you need to be careful when "swimming with Sharks." It’s a reminder that even when the cameras are off, the real business is just starting.
Actionable Next Steps for Entrepreneurs:
- Audit your branding: Does your product look like a "college project" or a national brand?
- Prepare for Due Diligence: Have your books, trademarks, and "pre-revenue" disclosures ready in writing before seeking investment.
- Know your "Walk Away" number: Decide exactly how much equity you’re willing to give up before you start negotiating. If the deal changes, be ready to walk.