Let’s bust a Shark Tank myth right out of the gate—getting a deal on air doesn’t guarantee real success. Companies still tank, and tearjerker pitches don’t pay your suppliers. So why is everyone still talking about Circadian Optics from Season 11? Because founder Amber Leong did something rare: she swung big with both emotion and numbers. She didn’t just pitch a product—she sold her journey, her grit, and her market savvy to the Sharks, and they bit fast.
This isn’t just a story about a therapy lamp blowing up on TV—it’s a masterclass in using your backstory and your balance sheet to fight above your weight class. Here’s the real truth on the deal, the money, and what came after the cameras cut.
Who Built Circadian Optics?
There’s no cookie-cutter founder story here. Amber Leong is a solo founder with a backstory that does more than hit the feelings—it makes investors sit up and listen. Raised in Malaysia, Amber’s parents sacrificed their life’s savings so she could get a shot at an American college. She’s not just another fresh face with a new product—she’s someone who actually had skin in the game from day one.
Amber battled a life-threatening illness, beat it, and promised herself she’d make that second chance count. As a founder myself, let me tell you—resilience like that is more valuable than any fancy MBA. It’s why, when Amber stepped onto the Shark Tank floor, she already had everyone’s attention. She walked in alone but pitched like she had an army behind her.
What Makes Circadian Optics Different?
The light therapy market is crowded—fact. You’ve seen countless SAD lamps that look like failed science fair projects or hospital equipment. Circadian Optics is different by design and by approach. They make sleek, modern light therapy lamps that fit into an office or apartment, not just a doctor’s office.
The why matters: Most of us run a 9-to-5, chained to indoor light, or deal with the fatigue of jet lag. Even those hustling on side gigs know the feeling of zero energy coming off a long winter. Circadian Optics goes straight at these problems—regulating circadian rhythms with natural-feel light, boosting your mood, focus, and sleep. It’s not about gadget gimmicks—it’s about smart branding for real-life needs.
What sets them apart isn’t just hardware. It’s the messaging. Don’t just survive winter—hack it. Amber gets her customer’s pain and sells hope they can actually use. That’s how you stand out. That’s how you avoid being another forgettable product on Amazon.
The Shark Tank Pitch: How the Deal Went Down
Here’s the inside track on that Season 11 pitch—Amber came in asking for $750,000 for 10% equity. On Shark Tank terms, that’s not pocket change—that’s a founder who knows her worth, and that confidence set off the feeding frenzy.
Amber led with her story, but she didn’t end on a sob line. She dropped the big numbers: $4 million in sales. Not revenue potential—real sales. And get this, a 70% profit margin. If you’ve paced a pitch room, you know how fast investors start calculating in their heads—the math got the Sharks to pay attention.
Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O’Leary tried to snag the deal, but Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner played it shrewd. They matched the offer but sweetened it with an extra $50,000 gift for Amber’s parents—recognizing the sacrifice behind the company. No surprise—it hits hard, and Amber took their deal: $750,000 for 20% equity, plus the $50k for her folks.
You want to see how Shark Tank magic really happens? Mix hard numbers, a standout product, and a founder whose story actually matters. Suddenly, everyone wants in.
Who Backed the Brand?
Let’s break it down—Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner snagged Circadian Optics together. Why these two? Classic Shark logic.
Mark’s playbook is always about big markets and scalable DTC (direct-to-consumer) health brands. He knows this isn’t a one-hit gadget—it’s a recurring solution for everyday problems. Lori, meanwhile, has a nose for products that need TV or retail muscle. These lamps look good on QVC shelves and even better in your Instagram ad feed.
If you’re a founder, you know investor fit is everything. Amber got money plus muscle with this duo. That’s the kind of partnership that moves you from hero-pitch to national retail shelf.
Where Did the Money Land? Valuation and Net Worth
Let’s talk real numbers, not make-believe Shark Tank math. At $750,000 for 10% equity, Amber walked in asking for a $7.5 million valuation—that’s rarefied air for most consumer startups. But she could back it up. $4 million in sales, 70% margins, and rapid growth move the needle.
Did the company keep that shine? Official net worth numbers post-show are a little shadowy—private companies keep it that way for a reason. Smart move, frankly. But look at the traffic on Amazon, reviews on the Circadian Optics website, and constant product restocks. That tells you there’s real money moving. The Sharks didn’t buy a pitch—they bought momentum.
I’ve seen plenty overvalue themselves on TV and pay for it later. Amber’s numbers? She played it straight, got the cash, and left cap table room for future growth. That’s founder smarts.
Is Circadian Optics Still Alive and Kicking?
Here’s where the story usually goes south for a lot of Shark Tank successes. But Circadian Optics? Still on shelves, still on Amazon, still updating their site. These aren’t just leftovers from the Shark Tank bump—the reviews stay strong and inventory keeps moving.
You see their lamps in startup offices, therapy clinics, and even influencer roundups. That’s staying power. Did every promise from the Tank materialize? Who knows. Some deals fizzle behind closed doors, but this brand clearly didn’t vanish like so many post-episode ghosts.
Don’t take my word for it—search the product. Still available, still getting love, still popping up in best of gift lists every winter. Most companies struggle with momentum after hitting peaks on air. Circadian Optics? They used the hype, then kept hustling.
What’s Next for Circadian Optics?
So, when you get that Shark cash, what comes after the happy TV ending? Staying relevant is the hard bit. Circadian Optics keeps pushing—new lamp models, sharper designs, more convenience for modern work life.
They still play heavy on Amazon, big on their own website, and don’t let the product line stand still. That’s veteran founder behavior—don’t let a flood of knockoffs eat your lunch. Flexible branding, responsive updates, and using the Cuban-Greiner Shark angle to get into new channels.
I’ve watched others blow their shot after a big TV moment. This one? They get that the race is long. There’s still a winter every year, still cubicle dwellers looking for light—and Circadian Optics is there ready to sell them their best day.
Conclusion: Lessons from the Circadian Optics Journey
Let’s call it straight—Circadian Optics isn’t a fairy-tale, Shark Tank made me a millionaire story. It’s a real-world case of an underdog founder using story, sales, and hustle to punch through.
Amber Leong built something with guts, then sold it like a pro. She didn’t just get a cash bump—she used the platform to build trust, win fans, and keep her foot on the gas after the credits rolled. It’s proof for every founder: Storytelling alone won’t save you, but paired with results and execution, it might actually buy you a shot at greatness.
If you want a blueprint, bookmark their journey on SharkWorth. It’s how you mix heart, math, and real customer focus to make the Tank your launchpad—not your finish line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Circadian Optics still in business after Shark Tank?
Yes. Circadian Optics is alive, shipping, and selling strong across Amazon and their official website.
Are Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner still involved with Circadian Optics?
Reports show both Sharks maintain ties. Their names help keep doors open and press rolling.
Where can I buy Circadian Optics lamps now?
Circadian Optics lamps are available on Amazon, the company website, and selected retail partners.
How much did the company make in sales before Shark Tank?
Amber shared $4 million in sales before pitching—and she wasn’t guessing. That was hard-earned revenue.
What problems do Circadian Optics lamps solve?
Their lamps target winter blues (Seasonal Affective Disorder), tiredness from lack of sunlight, jet lag, and workplace fatigue.
Did the deal with the Sharks actually close after the show?
Like most Tank deals, specifics are private. But the long-term involvement from the Sharks tells you it went through in spirit, if not on every legal line.
Are Circadian Optics products covered by any health insurance?
At this time, most health insurance plans don’t cover light therapy lamps, but check your provider for possible updates.
Has Circadian Optics expanded its product line since Shark Tank?
Yes. They’ve kept adding new lamp designs and upgrading features to keep ahead of the market’s copycats.
That’s the Circadian Optics Shark Tank story—no fairy dust, just hustle, smart product moves, and a founder who knew how to turn a shot into a brand. For more details and updates, SharkWorth keeps tabs on where the company stands (and who’s still making real money after Shark Tank fame).
