Let’s cut through the Shark Tank hype. You’ve heard it before: This is the next million-dollar idea! But not every product shown in front of the lights—and the Sharks—has the makings of a DTC legend. Case in point: Pick-Up Pools. The viral truck bed swimming pool looked half-gag, half-genius. But after the pitch, did it become a business you’d actually bet on? That’s what we’re here to break down—no fluff, just the story behind the pitch, the real numbers, and what smart founders can learn by watching Tommy Prestella play the room.
Who’s Behind Pick-Up Pools?
Let’s keep this simple: Pick-Up Pools isn’t a boardroom-invented gimmick. It’s the brainchild of Tommy Prestella, a straight-shooter with a military background and some serious grit. Tommy’s not your typical pitchman. When he appeared on Shark Tank (Season 10, Episode 17, if you’re keeping score), he was still serving in the Army, not lounging around updating pitch decks.
Here’s how I read it: Most side hustlers talk a big game, and their numbers don’t back it up. Tommy was different. He owned his tiny sales numbers, admitted his day job was Army deployments, and brought his sister in as backup when he had to ship out. When a founder’s still clocking in for Uncle Sam, you know this isn’t some trust fund hobby. That’s hustle you can’t fake.
So, What Was the Actual Pitch?
This pitch had everything you want from great Shark Tank TV. Tommy rolls in asking for $100K for 25%. He pitches his custom vinyl pool that lines your pickup truck bed—no more crappy tarps and twine. He sets up the whole problem-solving founder routine. The Sharks laugh, but they’re listening.
You want drama? It’s in the numbers. Tommy’s lifetime sales were just $12,000 over four years. I’ve seen better numbers from Shopify stores run by high schoolers. But Tommy was honest about it. He lost his first manufacturer. Sold out of inventory, but with no supply chain, the business flatlined. Only after his sister found new suppliers did things start moving, and even then the numbers were modest.
Still, there’s one thing Sharks love: a founder who’s not making excuses but owning the mess and proposing fixes.
Sharks React: Who Bit, Who Bailed, and Why?
Most Sharks took one look at the numbers and hit the eject button.
- Lori Greiner said she didn’t know the market and was out. That’s her polite way of saying, not big enough or fast enough for me.
- Robert Herjavec saw no real business, only novelty.
- Kevin O’Leary (Mr. Wonderful) loved the idea for a summer party, but hated the sales. He was out quick.
- Barbara Corcoran was interested but cautious. She wanted 25% equity for $100K, but set conditions: meet Tommy’s sister and lower the manufacturing cost under $100.
- Then Mark Cuban drops the bomb. He skips the conditions and offers $100K for 33.3%. His angle? Use his Tower Paddle Boards platform (already a Cuban company) to help sell to the right crowd: outdoor fans, water lovers, tailgaters.
Tommy takes the deal. No haggling, no overplaying his hand—a rare move on this show. I’ve seen founders lose offers because they think they’re sitting on gold. Tommy saw the value of a well-connected Shark, not just a check.
Early Sales and Struggles: The Ugly Truth
Let’s rewind those sales figures for anyone considering the Pick-Up Pools path. Before Shark Tank, this was no seven-figure Amazon story. We’re talking about:
- Year-to-date sales: $7,060
- Lifetime sales: $12,000
The first order sold out, but Tommy’s manufacturing partner retired, grinding things to a halt. He was deployed overseas during crucial growth years. Only when his sister stepped in did they find a new manufacturer. It’s classic founder whiplash—big dreams, real-life interruptions.
If you’ve ever run your own shop, you know: running out of inventory is a good problem, until you realize there’s no backup. The game is about solving bottlenecks as fast as they show up. Tommy owned those struggles, didn’t sugarcoat, and fixed the supply chain when he could.
Net Worth and Numbers: Is There Real Money in This?
Now, let’s stack up the business. At the time of the show, Pick-Up Pools had barely cleared $12K in sales. Hardly a cash machine. But let me remind you: sometimes, Sharks buy the entrepreneur’s fight, not just current dollars.
- Manufacturing Costs: $110 to $117
- Retail Price: $199 to $209
Margins are a bit thin, but there’s room if volume picks up and production streamlines. For a guy with almost zero marketing and half a business partner, it wasn’t terrible—it was just small.
Here’s the key: Mark Cuban didn’t see a $10 million company (yet). He bet on a product that could piggyback off his other brands’ audiences. That’s where volume and margin can change overnight—if you catch the right wave. But make no mistake. This was a hustle play, not a built-to-sell DTC behemoth.
Mark Cuban’s Deal: Real Shift or Shark Tank PR?
Did the Mark Cuban deal change Pick-Up Pools forever? It’s complicated.
Here’s the thing about a Cuban deal—sometimes it’s about access, not just his bank account. Mark saw the fit for his portfolio and made a straightforward offer. Tower Paddle Boards (his paddleboard company) already sells to outdoorsy folks. Why not toss the Pick-Up Pool in front of that crowd? It’s not Oprah-level scale, but it’s better than Tommy pulling all-nighters on his own.
Did the deal change everything overnight? Not from what public data shows. But the business stuck around, kept operating, and got a Shark’s stamp of legitimacy. In this business, sometimes just staying in the race is a win.
Where Is Pick-Up Pools Now?
Let’s talk reality—most Shark Tank deals don’t turn founders into millionaires. But if you look up Pick-Up Pools today, the story’s surprisingly steady. As of May 2024, this business is still swimming along, not belly-up.
It’s listed on Mark Cuban Companies and still sells online. You’ll find plenty of copycat truck pool setups, but the original is chugging along, sticking to its military-tough roots.
Are they scaling like Scrub Daddy or Bombas? Nope. But surviving the Shark Tank bump and sticking around for years matters. They’re not a household name—but they’re not a forgotten gimmick either.
What Do You Actually Get with Pick-Up Pools?
Forget the Instagram videos; here’s the brutal breakdown. You get a heavy-duty pool liner, custom-fit for most truck beds. There are different sizes based on your vehicle brand—Ford, Chevy, Ram, Toyota, etc.
- Made from thick, durable vinyl.
- Waterproof, with welded seams—way sturdier than a random tarp.
- Installs in minutes; drain by unplugging.
- Price: around $200, depending on the size.
It’s not rocket science, but the execution matters. Most DIY truck pools are a joke—tearing mid-party, leaking everywhere, or damaging your paint. Pick-Up Pools is marketed to people who want an easy blast of summer fun without a Home Depot MacGyver session.
Would I fill my $60K pickup with 500 gallons of water? Not me. But for the right buyer, it’s a fun buy—and the product is hands-down better than the janky blue tarp hack.
The Final Word: Grit Over Gimmicks
Here’s the real lesson if you’re gunning for Shark Tank glory—or watching from your garage plotting your big move. Tommy Prestella didn’t show up with slick branding, wild sales, or a picture-perfect founder story. He showed up with hustle, a working product, and no BS.
He didn’t get greedy. He didn’t pretend the numbers were bigger. He took the best offer in the room and played for survival, not overnight millions.
If you’re a scrappy founder, there’s a take-home here: Flash doesn’t beat grit. Investors like Mark Cuban can spot a trier from a faker. You don’t have to blow the doors off with sales—sometimes you just have to show you’ll outwork everyone else.
Would I bet my mortgage on Pick-Up Pools? Nope. But Tommy’s a grinder—and sometimes, that’s enough to keep the lights on and the business trucking.
Pick-Up Pools FAQs (with Real Answers)
1. Is Pick-Up Pools still in business after Shark Tank?
Yes, as of 2024, they’re still trading. You can find them online, and they haven’t disappeared post-TV.
2. Did Mark Cuban’s investment actually go through?
Yes, Pick-Up Pools is under Mark Cuban Companies, though details of how hands-on the partnership is are unclear.
3. What are the current sales or net worth figures?
No hard numbers are public, but Pick-Up Pools is clearly a niche player—not a household DTC giant.
4. Who owns Pick-Up Pools today?
Tommy Prestella remains the main owner and operator, with Mark Cuban as an equity partner from Shark Tank.
5. Can these pools fit any truck model?
They offer several sizes for Ford, Chevy, Ram, Toyota, and more. Always check model compatibility before buying.
6. Where can you buy Pick-Up Pools now?
They’re available at pickuppools.com and some online retailers. Watch out for knock-offs; the original is best.
7. Did the founder stay involved, or was there a handoff?
Tommy still runs the show, leveraging his sister’s help when needed. No corporate handoff here.
8. Are there any major competitors or copycats?
Yes, there are plenty of truck bed pool tarps online, but most lack the build and fit of Pick-Up Pools.Want to see more real numbers and outcomes from Shark Tank? Check out all the gritty details over at SharkWorth—where we track who gets rich, who gets ghosted, and who just keeps hustling.
