(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — For Naperville resident Lindsey Fleischhauer and her dad, Stan Valiulis, stepping into the “Shark Tank” was a business dream come true.
“It was amazing, terrifying and awesome all at the same time,” Fleischhauer said.
The pair appeared on national television last week to pitch their product, the Totes Babies Carrier, a hammock-style car seat holder designed to fit inside a shopping cart.
With a few offers on the table from panelists Robert Herjavec and Daniel Lubetzky, the team ultimately accepted a $100,000 investment from Lori Greiner, who will have a 25% stake in their company.
“We went with Lori because she has so much experience with baby products and she is really good at doing licensing deals with different baby products as well,” Fleischhauer said.
The mother of five came up with the idea for the product after discovering the stress of shopping with a newborn.
Since 2018, she and her father have been building the business from a startup to a company now backed by a Shark Tank millionaire.
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“When we walked out of the Tank, I just couldn’t contain myself. I’m doing a happy dance, we’re high-fiving and hugging, and it just was a sigh of relief but also ‘Oh my gosh, what just happened?’”
Fleischhauer tells WBBM Newsradio the support has been pouring in since the episode aired.
“The reactions have been amazing. People have been so kind, and we’ve had so many family, friends and happy customers reach out to us and we so appreciate it.”
About 8,000 of the car seat carriers have been sold since the product hit the market.
The carriers are available at totesbabies.com as well as Amazon, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby.