Let’s bust one of the biggest Shark Tank myths right out the gate: scoring a deal on the show is just the first lap. The real grind—and the real money—kick in after the cameras stop rolling. Pick Up Bricks is a prime case. They got the deal, got the laughs, and then got slammed with more orders than most side hustles see in a lifetime. Now, let’s unpack how a humble toy vacuum cleaner became a serious household cash machine.
Who Built Pick Up Bricks?
Let’s talk founder hustle. Aurora Weinstock is the real deal—hands-on, not just with product but with the chaos that inspired it. She was knee deep in toys at home, stubbed too many toes, and realized the need wasn’t just hers.
Enter Steven Weinstock—family by marriage, but business partner by choice. The kind of numbers guy you want if your idea starts blowing up overnight. Aurora had the vision; Steven brought the financial sense and Excel muscles. They had one foot in pain and the other searching for opportunity. That kind of partnership? Rare. This wasn’t some influencer duo. It was classic doer and dreamer—a combo that, as anyone who’s built something real can tell you, is the only one that lasts.
What Makes This Product Suck (In a Good Way)?
You’ve probably scoffed: A fancy vacuum? Seriously? Hear me out. It’s not just a rebranded Dustbuster. Pick Up Bricks was engineered to do what regular vacuums can’t—slurp up small toys but separate out any rogue dirt, dust, and crumbs.
Cordless, kid-friendly, and built to last. Aurora and Steven priced it at $99—not cheap, but not outrageous either if you price out your sanity or a doctor’s visit for a punctured foot.
The secret sauce? It’s more than a vacuum. It’s a cleanup motivator dressed as a gadget. Kids don’t get nagged to pick up their toys—they ask for the Pick Up Bricks and treat cleanup like a game. That’s the power move. It’s giving Scrub Daddy vibes: This is fun, and you actually want to use it. That’s how you get repeat orders, gift sales, and viral moments.
Pre-Shark Tank Numbers and Net Worth
Before the national TV moment, these two weren’t just noodling around with prototypes. They were hustling for real. Four years of product testing, refining, and quietly getting sales through their website and on Amazon. But the rocket fuel? TikTok.
A single demo video took off—1.5 million views—and turned them from cute idea into serious brand. Next came the Today Show. Suddenly, this wasn’t a backroom side gig; it was a legit business with receipts.
Their ask on Shark Tank? $200K for 10%—that’s a $2 million valuation. Some founders get greedy with numbers and lose the room, but Aurora and Steven played it sharp. They valued their sweat, but didn’t go full fairy tale. When you’re already moving units and EVERY parent feels your pain, that’s not just hype. That’s leverage.
SharkWorth (the site to track Shark Tank net worths) clocked them at $2M pre-show. My read? They knew the trend line, and the Sharks did too.
The Shark Tank Showdown
If you want a pitch masterclass, watch their Shark Tank episode (Season 15, Episode 18). Steven, for effect, walked barefoot across LEGO landmines before he and Aurora even said a word. He didn’t just tell the story—he lived it. That’s how you get attention in a TV room packed with A-list investors who’ve seen every trick.
They demo’d the product, dropped the tagline: It really sucks (in a good way), and watched the Sharks lean in. Daymond, Lori, Mark—they all bit. Barbara swung big with a $400K credit line. Kevin? Not his jam.
But look closer. Aurora and Steven controlled the room. They had options, played the Sharks off each other, and didn’t flinch. I’ve seen founders buckle at this stage—that wasn’t them.
The Deal: Who Walked Away With What?
After some brief back-and-forth, Lori Greiner teamed up with Mark Cuban. That’s not small potatoes. Lori lives for houseware hits, and Mark? He brings tech and direct-to-consumer swagger.
Here’s what landed: $200K for 16% equity. Not a huge haircut from their original ask, which means the Sharks saw real value. Daymond lowballed them with 15% and got edged out. Barbara pushed a debt-heavy offer. Kevin didn’t even try.
Let’s be real: getting both Lori and Mark is like pulling the business lottery twice. You’re not just taking their money—you’re walking away with their contacts, retail muscle, and post-show firepower.
Scaling After Shark Tank
Now, here’s where most businesses crash—the Shark Tank effect. Orders spike, fulfillment implodes, reviews tank, and suddenly you’re a punchline instead of a case study.
Aurora and Steven? They saw a 20x order spike after airing. That’s not an exaggeration—20 times their normal running speed, overnight. Most side hustlers would fold right there.
Instead, they partnered with ShipBob—a big-league fulfillment player—so their living room didn’t become a shipping warzone. They automated Amazon order prep. That’s a clutch move. Plenty of Shark Tank winners have gone out of stock for months. This team didn’t get greedy and try to do it all themselves; they found legit partners.
That’s operator thinking. Protect your brand. Keep moving. Don’t let one viral moment drown the whole operation.
What’s Next for Pick Up Bricks?
As of early 2025, Pick Up Bricks is doing what you hope every Shark Tank deal does: scaling up, not blowing up.
They’re all-in on online sales—the only smart move for a product built on viral moments and parent word-of-mouth. Amazon is hot. Their own site is buzzing.
Now, they’re prepping for retail. I’m told they’ve got meetings lined up with some heavy-hitter big box stores. If that hits, this will be a true Bombas-level case study—a niche problem turned mainstream household name. (And yeah, SharkWorth is watching their valuation climb.)
They’re not just building for the U.S. International expansion is on-deck. B2B play? On the radar too. The key is they’re not trying to be everything to everyone all at once. They’re sticking with their core mission: make cleanup not suck, literally.
Conclusion: From Foot Pain to Real Gains
I’ve seen a lot of businesses trip after their 15 minutes on Shark Tank—bad operations, over-promising, losing focus, or chasing shiny objects.
Pick Up Bricks is the opposite. They solved a problem that’s stupidly obvious and painfully real, sold the story like pros, handled their moment, and, crucially, don’t act like they’ve won yet.
The Aurora-Steven duo? Pure hustle. Not influencers, not actors, just people who got rich making something parents truly need. They earned their deal and every cent that’s coming next.
FAQs: Straight Answers for the Curious
1. Is Pick Up Bricks from Shark Tank still in business?
Yes, they’re growing. Orders are up, distribution’s expanding, and the company keeps innovating.
2. Where can I buy Pick Up Bricks now?
On their website and Amazon. Check the Pick Up Bricks official site for stock and bundles.
3. What’s different about this vacuum versus regular handheld cleaners?
It sorts toys from dust. Standard vacuums eat everything or break. Pick Up Bricks keeps your LEGO, throws away the dirt.
4. Did Aurora and Steven keep control of their company after the deal?
Yes. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner took just 16%. The founders still call the shots.
5. How much has Pick Up Bricks grown since Shark Tank?
Sales spiked more than 20x after the show; site traffic and Amazon reviews are both way up.
6. Are there plans to get Pick Up Bricks into major stores?
Yep, they’re talking to big retailers and planning a retail rollout soon.
7. How much is Pick Up Bricks worth now?
They started with a $2M valuation. Since Shark Tank, strong sales and expansion suggest it’s far higher (SharkWorth will update as numbers become public).
8. Did the Sharks actually help drive more sales?
Absolutely. Mark and Lori got them credibility, exposure, and retail connections most startups dream of.
Curious side hustlers, real founders, Shark Tank fans—this is how a tiny, smart solution climbs from living room chaos to hitting real money milestones. The lesson? Solve a true problem, know your worth, and hustle past the TV glow.
