Everyone thinks getting a deal on Shark Tank is the finish line. It isn’t. It’s just the spotlight—then you’re back in the grind. SplashZen’s pitch is proof. This isn’t some flashy gadget people line up for. It’s a dead-simple solution to a problem every parent knows but nobody boasts about: bath time chaos.
Does a humble bathtub splash guard have what it takes to break through the noise—or will it just be another clever product that gets a few ‘as seen on TV’ clicks before fading out? Let’s talk myth versus money, real pitch-room drama, and what actually happened in the tank.
2. Meet the Founders: Rasmussen Grit, Not Glam
Rodney and Tanya Rasmussen aren’t Instagram influencers or serial startup darlings. They’re parents. The core of their pitch was built around a problem they hit—bathwater everywhere, three boys, and one slippery, soaked bathroom after every bath.
This is classic built-for-ourselves, then built-for-market hustle. I love founders who don’t fall in love with their idea—they fall in love with solving headaches. Many founders wait for the ‘big idea’; the Rasmussens got to work on something annoyingly small but very real. That’s the grit Shark Tank loves.
3. What SplashZen Actually Solves: Forget the Buzzwords
Here’s the plain truth: SplashZen is a flexible, roll-up splash guard for bathtubs. Forget the patented technology hype. The suction cups stick to the side of your tub, the sheet unfurls upwards, and suddenly your bathroom isn’t a mini-waterpark.
It’s aimed at people with little kids or bath-loving pets. It rolls up like a window shade—no clutter, no clunky storage. Want clean floors and less yelling at your kids for splashing? That’s all it promises. And yes, sometimes a utility product does the trick.
I’ve seen startups get obsessed with features. SplashZen kept it focused: clear benefit, simple pitch.
4. Breaking Down the Shark Tank Pitch: Numbers, Nerves, and Negotiation
Forget the glitz—pitching on Shark Tank is brutal. The Rasmussens came in with a $1 million valuation: asking for $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity. That’s not overreaching by modern standards, but it’s a gutsy ask for any physical product before they’ve cracked real scale.
Let’s talk numbers: At the time of filming (Season 15, Episode 14), they’d sold $80,000 total. The splash guard retailed for $99, with a manufacturing cost of $40 per unit. That’s a decent margin, but not screaming scale yet.
Some founders get greedy: they’ll ask for fantasy valuations with no proof of traction and then melt under questioning. Rodney and Tanya didn’t flinch. They showed off the numbers honestly. Could they ship faster, cheaper? Maybe. But they played it straight—good move.
5. SplashZen Net Worth After the Show: Did Shark Tank Move the Needle?
Here’s where the myth breaks for most viewers: A Shark Tank appearance brings fame, not fortune by default. Any spike is usually short-lived unless you can convert eyeballs to orders. After the show, specifics are hard to track down, but SplashZen’s company value definitely saw a short-term bump just from being on TV.
Let’s get granular. Their pre-show valuation was $1 million. Some reports suggest that after Shark Tank, and the deal with Barbara Corcoran, the company got a healthy—but not stratospheric—bump. Realistically, Shark Tank press is worth far more in traffic and conversions than straight-up cash.
Think of it like a great Kickstarter—eyeballs alone do not equal money. You need the systems, ad spend, and team behind the scenes to keep people buying when the buzz fades. The Rasmussens got the pop. The real grind started after the credits rolled.
6. Shark Reactions: Who Bit, Who Balked, and Why
If you watch Shark Tank for I’m out soundbites, this pitch delivered. Mark Cuban passed. His take? Not a must-have; not changing the world. Cuban’s a scale guy—if he senses niche utility, he moves on.
Robert Herjavec and Kevin O’Leary also walked. Robert needs flash and mass. Kevin likes either massive numbers or limitless margin potential. SplashZen was simple, smart—but not his finance-first flavor.
But here’s the twist: both Lori Greiner and Barbara Corcoran perked up. Lori’s track record with home products is monster, but in a classic Shark quip, she shrugged off splitting a deal. I make products at an affordable price, she said, ice-cold, passing on the Rasmussens’ idea of a tag team. Lori knows her worth—she doesn’t split checks just to play along.
Barbara, on the other hand, smelled an opportunity—a relatable parent problem with real pain. That’s how home goods often break through: simple, personal, and just annoying enough that people finally click ‘add to cart.’
7. Did a Deal Actually Happen? Sorting Fact from TV Drama
A lot of viewers left the episode half-confused. Shark Tank edits are tight, and post-show headlines often contradict each other. Some reports said the deal didn’t go through, but reliable sources, including SharkWorth, confirm this: Barbara Corcoran did strike a deal with SplashZen.
The exact terms weren’t spelled out in detail, but Barbara was the only Shark to make a play. My take? These founders navigated the negotiation well—no ego, no desperate moves, just straight business. You don’t have to be flashy if you know your numbers and your market.
Here’s a tip for every founder: It’s not about getting every Shark to say yes. It’s about finding the one who gets your mission and can open the right doors.
8. Where SplashZen Stands Now: The Real Post-Show Journey
After the cameras, most products either get a quick sales bump—or disappear. SplashZen avoided the second fate. They used the Shark Tank attention, got Barbara’s stamp of approval, and kept pushing.
Their site is active, orders are still shipping, and the utility pitch is the same: Clean floors, calm parents. There hasn’t been a viral Scrub Daddy moment, but they’re not shy about banking on real, steady demand.
Could the price come down? Maybe with scale. Could they build a brand for all things kid-and-pet bath? That remains to be seen. But they didn’t spend the post-show months chasing silly upgrades. They stuck to what works—and that’s how small businesses turn PR gold into a solid asset.
Most importantly: they’re still here. That alone puts them ahead of most As Seen on Shark Tank products.
9. Conclusion: Lessons from the Splash Zone
Here’s what every hustler should steal from SplashZen:
1. Solve Real Problems: Nobody needed a smart splash guard. They needed something that just worked. Find the pain point, deliver the aspirin.
2. Don’t Oversell: Rodney and Tanya didn’t overshoot their ask. That builds credibility and opens real negotiation.
3. Know When to Stick to Your Guns: Founders get lost when chasing every Shark. Find your champion, get the deal that makes sense, and stop there.
4. Don’t Waste the PR Wave: Shark Tank fame fades fast. You only get one shot to turn buzz into buy buttons.
5. Own Your Outcome: SplashZen didn’t become a household name overnight, but they’re still running, still selling, and still helping people who have a mess to solve.
Don’t get dazzled by airtime. What matters is what you build after the credits roll.
Shark Tank is just a launchpad—the hustle is what happens next.
FAQs
1. Is SplashZen still in business after Shark Tank?
Yes. SplashZen is still operating, still selling, and still active online as of 2025.
2. Did SplashZen close a deal with Barbara Corcoran?
Yes. Barbara Corcoran made a deal with SplashZen. She was the only Shark to invest.
3. Where can I buy SplashZen today?
You can purchase SplashZen directly from their official website or through select online retailers.
4. How much does SplashZen cost now?
The price at the time of Shark Tank was $99. Always check the official site for the latest pricing or bundle offers.
5. What is SplashZen’s current net worth?
No public numbers post-episode, but the last reported valuation was $1 million. SharkWorth estimates show steady business since.
6. Did Shark Tank exposure boost SplashZen’s sales?
Yes. Shark Tank always spikes sales, but the real test is whether orders keep coming after the buzz fades.
7. Is the splash guard safe for kids and pets?
Yes, it’s made from flexible, kid-safe materials. Always supervise bath time.
8. Has the product changed since airing on Shark Tank?
No major redesigns. The company has stuck with the original, simple approach that got them into the Tank.
Want more gritty, honest stories from the Tank? Check out SharkWorth for deep dives like this. This is where founders become operators and ideas meet the real market. SplashZen isn’t the biggest Shark Tank win, but they just might outlast the flashiest. And for most of us, hustling? That’s the win that counts.
