Everyone says, Get a deal on Shark Tank and you’re golden. But any real hustler knows: a handshake on TV doesn’t mean jack unless there’s grind behind it. Wurkin Stiffs, a company solving a problem that’s haunted every tie-wearing dude—floppy shirt collars—hit the Tank back in Season 2. They got the deal. But did the hype actually build something lasting? Pull up a chair and let’s dissect it like entrepreneurs deserve—no fluff, just tough love and real talk.
What is Wurkin Stiffs?
Let’s keep it simple: Wurkin Stiffs makes magnetic collar stays. If you’ve ever spent a meeting trying to keep your dress shirt collar looking halfway respectable, you get why these matter. The standard collar stays never cut it—after an hour, your collar is flapping like laundry on a line.
Wurkin Stiffs swapped out those disposable bits of plastic for stainless steel and paired them with strong magnets. Slide the stays into your collar, snap the invisible magnets on, and suddenly you look put together even if your day is pure chaos.
In short: it’s not rocket science. It’s a real-world fix for a tired problem. That’s why this little product stands out. Underestimate these at your own risk.
Meet the Guy Behind the Idea
Let’s talk backstory. Jonathan Boos isn’t just another inventor tinkering around. He’s a sharp operator who noticed his own shirts made him look sloppier than he felt. So, he fixed it—first for himself, then for anyone else whose job or date demanded crisp collars.
What’s impressive? Boos doesn’t come off as a suit from central casting. He’s hands-on, scrappy, and you can tell he’s lived the customer’s problem. That kind of founder-attitude wins Shark interest because it’s authentic. No wild tech claims. No changing the world spiel. Just solving what bugs you every day.
The Shark Tank Moment: How Did the Pitch Go Down?
Picture this: Season 2, Episode 1. Jonathan Boos walks in asking for $85,000 in exchange for 10% equity—so, he’s valuing his hustle at $850K. You know the routine: tight pitch, demo time, Sharks fidgeting with collar stays.
But then things heat up. The pitch wasn’t all smiles—Daymond John, who lives and breathes fashion, reportedly got a little ticked. Maybe Boos came in confident. Maybe Daymond saw a founder who knew what he wanted. Either way, tension in the Tank is usually where the big moves happen. If Daymond cares enough to debate, you’ve hit a pain point—or maybe a nerve.
Big lesson for the pitch room: know your numbers, but don’t get rattled if a Shark tests your values.
The Deal They Took: Who Bit and at What Cost?
Now for the dollars. Boos starts the dance at $85K for 10%. The Sharks’ counter? $100,000 for 40%. That’s Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John teaming up. You know the Sharks never pay retail. If your ask looks a little dreamy, they’ll want a much bigger slice.
So, Jonathan gives up 4x the equity he tried to keep, but he locks in a $100K check and two seasoned Sharks. I’ve seen founders get too greedy—this one played the long game. Brand credibility, mentorship, and cash up front often outweigh holding onto those extra shares. Left more on the table than maybe he wanted? Sure. But sometimes the pie needs Sharks to grow.
What’s the Net Worth for Wurkin Stiffs Today?
Here’s what everyone wants to know: did the deal translate to actual dollars and real growth? Did Boos trade 40% of a pittance or set himself up to build a business that’s not just a Shark Tank footnote?
Exact numbers are tight—Wurkin Stiffs keeps financials close to the vest. But piecing it together? They’re still up and running, still waving the Shark Tank flag years later. They’ve grown their product line and kept distribution alive.
The net worth? Hard to put an exact figure without private books, but they’re no overnight flameout. Some industry sites and SharkWorth-type aggregators put estimates from mid-six to low-seven figures. For a niche men’s accessory, that’s not nothing. If you see them still slugging it out a decade after their airdate, you know there’s serious cash moving—even if it’s not Bombas money or Scrub Daddy scale.
Why are they still worth something? Simple. Their solution actually solves the problem. Margins are solid (small, lightweight product, easy to ship). And every time a Shark Tank rerun airs, that pipeline gets a burst.
Post-Shark Tank: Did Fame Turn Into Fortune?
A Shark Tank deal gets you headlines. What it doesn’t get you (at least automatically) is sales or staying power. Lots of companies see a spike, then vanish. Not Wurkin Stiffs.
Sales climbed after their episode, according to business news and their own marketing. They added varieties—different metals, different sets. They hustled wholesale deals and doubled down on their online shop. Boos put the cash to work, focusing on operations rather than blowing it all on office space or flashy ads. That’s startup discipline.
Did fame turn to fortune? I’d say it gave them breathing room, relationships, and a door into buyers who’d take their call because they’d seen them pitch to the Sharks.
Where Is Wurkin Stiffs Now?
Still standing, and still talking up their Shark Tank roots. If you’re scrolling Instagram, their recent posts (September 2024, for anyone tracking receipts) reference their Tank appearance. That means they’re proud of the grind, not just coasting on old fame.
Visit their site and you’ll see they didn’t just stick with the original product. They’ve stretched into related men’s fashion accessories—think wallets, key organizers, business card cases, and travel gear. Same branding: function, minimalism, stay sharp.
Their digital game is strong. They’re not relying on big-box retail as their only lifeline. Instead, they’re using DTC (direct-to-consumer) and social channels, which keeps margins healthy and feedback fast. This is how you last—don’t let the middlemen take all your profit.
Is the Shark Tank Bump Real for Wurkin Stiffs?
Let’s be real. For every Scrub Daddy, there are ten products you can’t even remember from the Tank. Did Wurkin Stiffs ride the wave or just tread water?
My take: They got a real, long-term bump, but not because of the Tank alone. Shark Tank gave them a springboard, not a parachute. Jonathan Boos already had manufacturing and fulfillment humming. When the surge came, he was ready. That’s why they’re still here and not a cautionary startup story.
Lessons for the side hustler? Exposure means nothing if you can’t deliver or retain customers. It’s not about selling out one night on the site—it’s about being there for the second purchase, the referral sale, the five-years-later repeat customer.
Closing Thoughts: Lessons for the Street-Smart Entrepreneur
Here’s what separates Boos and Wurkin Stiffs from the me too crowd. They built something that lasted longer than a segment on TV; they kept solving problems and expanding offerings.
So what’s the street-smart playbook?
- Know your numbers, but don’t get precious about them. Sharks want action, not fairy tales.
- Don’t be afraid to give up a bigger piece for the right partners. If your base is small, grow the pie.
- Use national exposure, but never stop direct-selling. DTC is your moat—don’t build castles in sand.
- Expand the product line only after you can prove people love the first one.
- Don’t disappear. Social proof—the ongoing kind—is what keeps people remembering AND buying.
Boos didn’t just sell a product. He solved a pain point that guys face every day—a perpetual, nagging annoyance. Then he packaged it in a way people were excited to show off or gift. That’s not luck. That’s grinding, iterating, and taking some Shark-sized risks.
You want to know who does well after the cameras shut off? The ones who never think the work is done.
FAQs on Wurkin Stiffs and Shark Tank
1. Is Wurkin Stiffs still in business after Shark Tank?
Yep. They’re active, dropping products, and posting Shark Tank throwbacks on Instagram even in September 2024.
2. What did the Sharks think about Wurkin Stiffs during the pitch?
Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John saw the potential. Daymond got fired up, which often means he actually cares.
3. Did Jonathan Boos accept the original offer he wanted?
No. He wanted $85K for 10%. He walked with $100K for 40%. Strategic trade-off for long-term gains.
4. How much equity did Wurkin Stiffs give up for the investment?
Jonathan gave up 40% equity to Barbara and Daymond for a $100,000 deal.
5. Where can you buy Wurkin Stiffs products now?
Direct on WurkinStiffs.com and select men’s shops. DTC is their play now.
6. Did the company expand beyond magnetic collar stays?
Yes. Wallets, travel goods, and other smart men’s accessories now sit alongside the original stays.
7. What makes Wurkin Stiffs different from regular collar stays?
Stronger materials plus a killer magnetic system. They keep your collar in check, period.
8. Have Barbara Corcoran and Daymond John stayed involved with the company?
They backed the business during and after the show—helping with strategy and industry connections.
Hungry for more dirt on net worths, founder growth, and where these Shark Tank companies land? Check out resources like SharkWorth for the latest numbers and analysis—just remember: behind every stat is a founder hustling to stay afloat.
Shark Tank gives you a shot. What you do after, that’s what makes or breaks your empire. Wurkin Stiffs? Still fighting for the next sale. That’s the grind we all respect.
