You’ve seen them. Those little plastic tubes people are sniffing at music festivals, in the gym, or late at night while staring at a laptop screen. They look a bit suspicious if you don't know what they are. But the BoomBoom stick from Shark Tank isn't some weird chemical—it's basically just a concentrated blast of essential oils up your nose. It’s a "nasal stick." If that sounds like something your grandma would use for a cold, you're not wrong, but founders John Hinds and Chelsea Riggs managed to make it cool for a younger generation.
I remember watching that episode. Season 10, Episode 4. They walked into the tank looking for $300,000 for 10% of their company. It was one of those pitches where the Sharks were visibly skeptical at first because, honestly, how do you scale a "scent stick"? But the numbers were there. They had already done over $1 million in sales before even talking to Mark Cuban.
The Shark Tank Drama and the Deal That Actually Happened
The pitch was high energy. John Hinds was basically his own best advertisement—energetic, fast-talking, and clearly a believer in the product. The Sharks were sniffing the samples, and Robert Herjavec was immediately hooked on the sensation. It’s that menthol-heavy "zing" that hits your sinuses and makes your eyes water a little bit in a good way.
Kevin O'Leary, being Kevin O'Leary, wanted a royalty deal. He’s obsessed with them. He offered the $300,000 but wanted 25 cents for every unit sold until he got his money back, then it would drop to 10 cents. The founders weren't having it. They wanted a partner, not just a lender. Eventually, Robert Herjavec stepped up. He loved the "vibe" and the branding. He offered $300,000 for 36%—a huge chunk of the company—but they ended up settling on $300,000 for 20% equity.
Did the deal close? That's always the million-dollar question with Shark Tank.
Public records and follow-ups suggest the deal with Robert didn't actually cross the finish line in the way it was presented on TV. This happens way more often than people think. Sometimes the due diligence process reveals things, or sometimes the founders realize they don't actually want to give away a fifth of their company when the "Shark Tank Effect" starts driving millions in sales anyway. BoomBoom moved on without Robert, and they seem to have done just fine.
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What’s Actually Inside a BoomBoom Stick?
It’s not magic. It’s chemistry—the simple kind.
The primary ingredients are menthol, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil. If you’ve ever used Vicks VapoRub, you know exactly what this smells like. However, BoomBoom adds "flavors" (or scents) like Tropical, Berry Breezy, and Wintermint to make it feel less like a medicine cabinet and more like a lifestyle accessory. They also include some "natural flavors," which is a bit of a vague term, but in this context, it’s mostly about the scent profile.
The science behind it is pretty straightforward. Menthol triggers cold-sensitive receptors in the skin and nose. It doesn't actually decongest you like a pharmaceutical spray would—it just makes your brain feel like you’re breathing more air. It’s a sensory hack. For people at a rave or a music festival, that sensory blast is grounding. For someone at a desk at 3 PM, it's a way to wake up without drinking a fourth cup of coffee.
Why People Love (and Hate) Nasal Inhalers
Some people swear by these. They carry them on keychains. I’ve talked to long-haul truckers who use them to stay alert during those boring stretches of I-80.
But there’s a downside.
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If you use nasal inhalers too much, you can get "rebound congestion." Your nose gets used to that intense cooling sensation, and when you stop, everything feels stuffy. It’s not an addiction in the clinical sense, but it’s definitely a habit. Also, if you have sensitive mucous membranes, shoving a bunch of concentrated peppermint oil up there can cause irritation. Most doctors will tell you it's fine in moderation, but don't make it your entire personality.
The Marketing Genius of BoomBoom
They didn't try to sell this to sick people. That was their biggest win.
- They went after the "festival" crowd.
- They targeted CrossFit athletes and gym rats.
- They marketed it as "refreshing" rather than "medicinal."
- The packaging is neon, sleek, and fits in a pocket easily.
By moving away from the pharmacy aisle and into the lifestyle space, they were able to charge a premium. You can buy a generic nasal inhaler at Walgreens for $3. A BoomBoom stick usually goes for around $8 to $10. You’re paying for the branding and the specific scent blends.
Where is BoomBoom Today?
They are everywhere. Seriously. You can find them in CVS, Walgreens, and obviously on Amazon. They’ve expanded their product line too. They now sell "roll-ons" and even larger "nasal drops," though the core inhaler remains the flagship product.
Financially, they are a massive success story. They’ve surpassed the $10 million mark in lifetime sales, which is a huge milestone for a company that basically sells scented air in a tube. They've also managed to stay relevant. Most Shark Tank companies flare up and die within two years. BoomBoom has survived because they found a niche—the "energy and focus" niche—and dominated it.
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It's interesting to look at their competitors like VapoInhaler or even Thai brands like Poy Sian. Poy Sian has been around forever and is a staple in Southeast Asia. BoomBoom basically took that Asian tradition of nasal aromatherapy and "Americanized" it with better marketing and a Shark Tank boost.
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
Honestly? It depends on who you are.
If you like the feeling of a cold breeze in your brain, you’ll love it. It’s a cheap thrill. It’s better for you than an energy drink if you’re just looking for a quick "snap" to your senses. It’s also great for mask-wearing (if you're still doing that in certain environments) because it keeps the air inside the mask feeling fresh.
But if you’re looking for a medical cure for chronic sinusitis, this isn't it. It’s a sensory tool. Nothing more.
Actionable Steps for the Curious
If you’re thinking about trying a BoomBoom stick or a similar nasal inhaler, here’s how to do it without ruining your nose:
- Start slow. Don't shove it all the way up your nostril and inhale like you're trying to vacuum the floor. A light sniff is all you need.
- Check the ingredients. If you have an allergy to peppermint or eucalyptus, stay far away.
- Use it as a "state-change" tool. Use it when you transition from work to the gym, or when you're feeling a mid-afternoon slump. Don't use it every ten minutes.
- Keep the cap tight. The essential oils are volatile. If you leave the cap off, your $8 stick will be a useless piece of plastic within two days.
- Don't share them. It’s a nasal product. Sharing it with friends at a concert is a great way to share a cold or worse. Get your own.
The story of the BoomBoom stick is a masterclass in taking a boring, old-fashioned product and giving it a soul. It’s about branding, timing, and knowing your audience. Whether you think it’s a revolutionary wellness tool or just a fancy smelling-salt, there’s no denying the business success. They took a "no" from most Sharks and turned it into a retail empire.