Forget what you think you know about brooms. The Wisp isn’t your grandma’s mop-and-bucket setup. When Eben Dobson, the founder, rolled into Shark Tank (Season 10, Episode 5), he brought more than a new cleaning gadget—he brought a pitch straight out of the hustle playbook.
Here’s the myth worth busting: You need a wild new tech to turn heads in the Tank. The Wisp went the other way—clean, physical, and practical. If you’re hustling an everyday product, keep reading. This story’s got lessons in making boring things bankable, the brutal math behind million dollar sales, and why every founder still has to answer the hardest question of all: does it really work, and do sales turn into profit?
2. Breaking Down The Wisp’s Pitch
Let’s talk pitch mechanics. Eben Dobson took center stage with a broom that looked simple but claimed to sweep smarter, not harder. He asked the Sharks for $500,000 in exchange for just 10% equity. That puts his company’s valuation at $5 million—ballsy if you’re burning cash, which he was.
The hook? The Wisp’s bristles hit the floor at a sharp 90-degree edge so you’re not just pushing dirt—you’re actually collecting it in a single pass. Dobson called Barbara and Lori up for a demo that looked slick—even got some laughs.
But here’s the pitch truth: slick demos impress, but only until you talk numbers. Once Dobson pivoted to finances, the Sharks’ faces changed.
3. Money Talk: The Wisp’s Net Worth and Hard Numbers
Entrepreneurs dream in sales, but Sharks eat profit for breakfast. Dobson had screen-friendly stats, but digging deeper exposed the pain points:
- Lifetime sales: $3.3 million
- Personal investment: $2.1 million
- 2017 loss: $600,000
- Lifetime profits: $50,000 (yes, you read that right—barely breaking even over years)
- Inventory: $300,000 sitting in the warehouse
Shock factor? Dobson’s company basically existed by bleeding his own wallet. Every founder with a DTC or retail product knows that game—pouring savings into inventory, fighting for distribution, praying for positive cash flow.
Now, SharkWorth estimates The Wisp’s net worth around $3.3 million as of 2023. That’s sales total, not cash-in-the-bank. Here’s the lesson: Sales don’t mean squat if your costs keep chewing up every dime.
4. What Went Down in the Tank
Pressure-cooker moments? The Wisp’s pitch had plenty. The minute those financial slides hit the Q&A, the Sharks circled—sniffing out heavy losses, big spending, and not nearly enough traction for the money invested.
Barbara, Lori, Mark Cuban, and Sara Blakely all bailed, each for the same reason: If this was a must-have broom, why was the business burning cash at that scale? Even the broom hands-on moment, fun as it was, couldn’t erase $600,000 in the red.
Kevin O’Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful, did what he does best—made a deal on his terms only: $500K for 50% equity. That’s a company killer if you still believe in your vision. Lori flirted with the pitch—offering QVC mentorship but not her money.
The real gut-punch: Dobson fumbled by ignoring Kevin’s offer, keeping his focus on Lori instead. In the Tank, seconds count. Kevin, insulted, yanked his offer in classic O’Leary style: You’re out of here. See ya, buddy. Goodbye, take the broom.
Pitch room lesson: Respect the money. If you get an offer—even a stinger—you discuss, then counter. Don’t let it slip because you’re focused elsewhere.
5. Why The Deal Fell Apart
Make no mistake, The Wisp’s biggest mistake wasn’t asking for too much—or even posting a loss. Plenty of startups bleed cash early. The fatal error was Dobson’s Tank behavior at the moment of truth.
He let ego and nerves get in the way of negotiation. I’ve sat in rooms where a founder hears what they want, not what’s actually on the table. Dobson just kept pitching, hoping for a better hand, when Mr. Wonderful already had the chips stacked.
The deal fell apart because Dobson lost focus and missed the power dynamic. He had a deal in hand—painful, but real. He argued with the wrong Shark, and lost all his leverage. That infamous broom exit will haunt Shark Tank re-runs forever.
Founders: When the money’s in the room, you shut up and close—or at least counter, fast.
6. Behind The Brand: Eben Dobson’s Story
Now, a story for the grinders: Eben Dobson wasn’t born into cleaning supplies. He’s a golfer with a knack for spotting what frustrates people. His own background includes sales, sports, and a personal drive to fix everyday annoyances.
Why does his story matter? Because too many first-time founders fixate on inventing instead of solving. Dobson watched people waste time with flimsy brooms. He wanted a pain-free sweep—so he built it. He showed up, owned his past mistakes in the Tank, and never apologized for taking a big swing.
I respect the hustle, even if the numbers weren’t pretty.
7. What Makes The Wisp Different?
Let’s be real—physical products face a deathmatch against generic knockoffs. The Wisp’s secret weapon? Simple, but smart engineering.
Instead of splayed, useless bristles, the 90-degree design really does collect more dirt in less time. You don’t have to sweep twice. The dustpan clips right onto the broom, so you’re not hunting for two tools.
Think of it like a Scrub Daddy for the floor: same shape, new trick. Not a reinvented wheel—just a better broom for people who want to get stuff done and move on.
But is it hype or does it deliver? Based on thousands of reviews online and real users repeating purchases, it works. Simple innovation, solid margins if you can control costs, and just enough to make shoppers curious.
8. Where Is The Wisp Now?
Here’s the shocker—no Shark deal, and yet The Wisp is still alive. Sometimes, not getting a deal forces a product to grow up or fold. In this case, the hustle continued.
According to SharkWorth and updates as of 2024-2025, The Wisp Cleaning System kept shelves stocked, moved inventory online, and flirted with retail. No blockbuster expansion, but no collapse either.
That stubborn focus on quality and gradual sales let the company grind from red toward black ink. The $3.3 million net worth (meaning sales, IP, brand equity) by 2023 isn’t retire-to-the-islands money, but it’s millions more than most failed products make.
Entrepreneurs—there’s gold in persistence, if you have the stomach for lean years.
9. Conclusion: Lessons from The Wisp’s Shark Tank Ride
Here’s what every founder should take away from The Wisp’s journey:
- You can lose the funding battle and still win the business war. The TV lights don’t matter—numbers do.
- Demos get you attention. Margins get you freedom. Cash flow keeps you alive.
- If your pitch is a mess, own it, fix it, and never let ego kill a deal that could save you.
- And don’t sleep on the basics. If selling a broom can net millions in sales, no category is ever too boring. It’s the execution that counts, not just the idea once you’re inside (or outside) the Tank.
I’ve seen companies with 5x bigger PR flops. This one? The Wisp kept sweeping—even if it had to do the dirty work itself.
FAQs
1. Is The Wisp Still in Business?
Yes. The Wisp is still operating and selling cleaning products online and (in some cases) in stores, as of 2024.
2. Did The Wisp Ever Land a Deal After Shark Tank?
No Shark Tank deal ever closed. Eben Dobson kept full control and grew the business at his own pace.
3. What Is The Wisp’s Net Worth Today?
According to SharkWorth, the brand’s net worth hit $3.3 million by 2023—mainly off lifetime sales and IP.
4. Where Can I Buy The Wisp Now?
Direct-to-consumer on the official WISP website, plus major online retailers. Some cleaning supply shops may stock it locally.
5. How Did Eben Dobson Come Up With The Idea?
Inspired by a golfer’s problem—constantly sweeping up little crumbs and debris—he designed a broom that actually works in a single swipe.
6. Why Did The Sharks Pass on The Wisp?
Too much money burned for too little profit. All the Sharks (except O’Leary, briefly) thought it was too risky at current numbers.
7. Has The Wisp Changed Since the Show?
Yes. The company has iterated on models and fine-tuned operations for better margins and sustainable growth.
8. Is The Wisp Worth It Compared to Regular Brooms?
For users tired of flimsy gear, yes—the better sweep (and attached dustpan) offers a real-world upgrade without breaking the bank.
You want brutal business truth? The Wisp’s Shark Tank story proves one thing: execution is everything. Don’t confuse no deal with failure. Sometimes, it’s the push a founder needs to actually build a business that lasts.
