Let’s get one thing straight—getting a deal on Shark Tank isn’t a golden ticket. The TV pitch is noise; the real grind comes after the lights go off and the hype dies down. The Cut Buddy’s run is proof. It’s not some quick-in, quick-out as seen on TV stunt. This is a masterclass on how you build and scale a product beyond the Shark Tank circus.
You want to see what makes a true consumer product hustle work? Scroll past the glitz and you’ll find The Cut Buddy—still moving units, still innovating, and still teaching armchair moguls what gritty entrepreneurship looks like. Here’s the spill on Joshua Esnard, Shark Tank Season 9, Daymond John’s investment, and what it actually takes to build lasting value.
2. Who Created The Cut Buddy? The Story Behind the Product
Every real product story starts with pain—and in this case, it was the pain of botched haircuts. Joshua Esnard, The Cut Buddy’s founder, didn’t set out to be famous. He was just sick of bad lines, patchy edges, and paying professionals for something he figured he could handle at home.
He started tinkering with shapes as a teenager, wanting a way to guide his clippers for a clean look. Fast forward: after years of trial and error, Esnard developed a flexible template anyone could use to shape a fade or a sharp beard. This wasn’t just for him—it was for everyone who dreaded uneven self-made cuts.
When Esnard launched The Cut Buddy in 2015, most people were skeptical. But he already understood something a lot of founders miss: solve a real problem, make it easy to use, and back it with hustle. That’s how you get momentum.
3. Breaking Down the Shark Tank Pitch
Now, let’s talk Shark Tank. This is where most viewers think the magic happens—big stage, five Sharks, and everyone hoping for an instant deal. That’s Shark Tank, Season 9, Episode 11, November 2017. Joshua walked in asking for $300,000 for 10% equity. Big ask? Yes. But was it a money grab? No.
He lined out clear numbers. The product was already on Amazon and moving more than 60,000 units before the show even aired. Esnard wasn’t desperate—he was strategic. He told his story, demoed the tool, and let the results do the talking. There was no smoke, no mirrors—he owned both his wins and mistakes in the pitch room.
And he didn’t just pitch a gadget—he pitched confidence. How many times have you seen a founder mumble through questions with nothing but big dreams? This guy came correct. That’s why the room paid attention.
4. Did The Sharks Bite? The Details on the Deal
Let’s talk Shark reactions—some saw the risk, but Daymond John saw the opportunity. If you know Daymond, you know his empire comes from understanding branding and street-level needs (FUBU, anyone?). He got the product immediately.
Negotiations got tense. Some Sharks pushed on valuation. Esnard held his ground, knowing the kind of equity he’d give. I’ve seen too many founders cave just to get on TV. Not here.
Result? Daymond John made the play. He took a cut, and Esnard gave up a piece, but didn’t sell the farm. Daymond didn’t just toss money; he brought contacts, vision, and retail playbooks that have lifted plenty of small brands before. If you’re weighing deals, remember this: It’s not about who throws the biggest number at you—it’s about who brings the most long-term value to the table.
5. The Cut Buddy Net Worth and Sales Milestones
Here’s what you really want to know—how much money has The Cut Buddy made since the cameras stopped rolling? Forget those sites guessing net worth off Google traffic. Let’s look at what matters: actual sales, funding, and shelf space.
Since appearing on Shark Tank, The Cut Buddy’s moved past a million units. For a grooming accessory started by one guy? That’s massive. Early wins included 100,000 units within months, and 300,000 by the next year’s update episode. That’s not luck—those are distribution wins, born from both Shark juice and steady grind.
How about money in the bank? In 2022, The Cut Buddy pulled an extra $156,000 through equity crowdfunding—to pour into new products and more reach. You don’t do that if you’re not already profitable. With products in Walmart, Target, Meijer, and other big retail players, let’s be real: this is a business doing millions in lifetime revenue.
Exact net worth is private. But from my operator’s seat? One million units, major retail presence, and ongoing demand tells you Cut Buddy is a winner. This isn’t a set it and forget it brand, and it hasn’t faded after the Shark Tank bump—the kind of numbers other Season 9 companies would kill for.
6. What Changed After Shark Tank? Scaling and Partnerships
Remember, most people think the TV deal is the finish line. Real ones know it’s the starting block. After the episode, Esnard got his product into the hands of Andis—the pro grooming company that set up the first licensing deal. More proof: when the right partner sees the upside, it’s leverage.
Walmart came calling. So did Target, Meijer, TJ Maxx, and Burlington. It’s a short list of Shark Tank brands that actually keep retail shelf space after launch. Most are gone within a year. Cut Buddy’s still there. Why? Simple—repeat sales, good margins, and a product that solves a pain point year-round.
Add in partnerships like Puff Cuff (targeting curly hair customers), and Esnard kept building out his business. It wasn’t just about selling one shape guide—it became a grooming ecosystem.
7. How The Cut Buddy Thrived During the Pandemic
Here’s where a lot of products luck into a moment. When the pandemic hit, salons and barbershops closed. People panicked. Hairlines got wild. The Cut Buddy already had the “home haircut” market mapped out.
While other startups scrambled, Joshua’s team scaled up. Distribution met demand—over a million units were sold during the most chaotic months. The revenue surge wasn’t an accident; it was prep, product-market fit, and agility. Retailers noticed. The brand’s profile went from Shark Tank curiosity to grooming necessity overnight.
That’s how you weather a crisis: by being in the right arena, with a product that solves urgent, widespread problems. Esnard played offense while others played defense.
8. New Moves: Expanding the Product Line and Market Reach
So what do you do after you’ve cracked the million-unit mark? Most founders would kick up their feet. Not Esnard. He kept the Cut Buddy fresh—new templates, bundled kits, and a branded trimmer made by Andis. The product line keeps getting sharper (pun intended).
Always thinking, Esnard pushed out cross-brand collabs and complementary grooming tools. He didn’t get stuck in one product lane. And if you think that’s all, check this—he even launched a gourmet truffle line called Truffletopia. Wild pivot? Maybe. But you can’t knock the side-hustle mentality.
What matters is he controlled the brand, stayed close to his customers, kept an eye on retail and DTC trends, and kept innovation alive. He understood the danger of going stale—a move a lot of Shark Tank businesses never make.
9. Conclusion: Lessons from The Cut Buddy’s Real-World Hustle
So what’s the Cut Buddy blueprint? Here’s the real talk you won’t get from the TV edit:
- Solve an actual problem. Esnard didn’t chase fads; he made something people actually use.
- Hold your ground in negotiations. Don’t sell the company for a taste of clout. Get a partner who’ll build with you.
- Invest in partnerships, not just distribution. Big box stores come and go—license with pros (like Andis), and you lock in long-term upside.
- Stay ready for your window. Pandemic luck helped, but only because Esnard’s team was set to scale—product ready, supply chains tight, brand messaging clear.
- Don’t chill after success. Too many founders coast. Cut Buddy went the opposite way, adding value, iterating, pushing new business ideas.
Bottom line: if you want the after-the-cameras roadmap, Cut Buddy’s journey is it. You build it rough, pitch it hard, line up the right help, scale when doors open, and never get too comfortable.
Want more backstories and founder moves? Bookmark SharkWorth. Real deals, real numbers, no TV gloss.
FAQ
1. Is The Cut Buddy from Shark Tank still in business?
Yes, it’s still running strong and in stores everywhere.
2. Did Joshua Esnard really keep control of his business after the Shark Tank deal?
Absolutely. Daymond John invested, but Joshua remains in the driver’s seat.
3. How many units has The Cut Buddy sold since Shark Tank?
Over one million, and counting.
4. Where can you actually buy The Cut Buddy today?
Walmart, Target, Meijer, TJ Maxx, Burlington—they’re all carrying it. You’ll also find it online.
5. Did The Cut Buddy really help during the pandemic boom?
Without a doubt. That’s when their sales exploded and home haircuts became a must.
6. Has The Cut Buddy changed since the original Shark Tank episode?
Yes. They’ve expanded the lineup—new templates, trimmers, bundles, and more.
7. Is Joshua Esnard still involved with The Cut Buddy?
He’s still at the top, growing the business, launching new projects, and keeping things fresh.
8. What is The Cut Buddy’s net worth or value?
No public number, but with seven-figure unit sales and major retail reach, it’s a legit force.
That’s how you spot the real survivors after Shark Tank. Big hype is flashy. Quiet, compounding wins—they build fortunes.
