Let’s get one thing straight — Shark Tank does NOT guarantee a windfall. Plenty of winning deals fizzle when the lights go out. Sun-Staches, though? These hustlers turned goofy glasses into serious cash. But was it all smooth sailing? Let’s pull the curtain back and see what made H2W’s Sun-Staches worth watching for any entrepreneur who wants to turn hype into lasting money.
Meet the Sun-Staches Founders: David Levich, Dan Gershon, and Eric Liberman
Before the confetti and cameras, it’s always about the people. Sun-Staches’ story starts with three friends from Chatsworth, California — David Levich, Dan Gershon, and Eric Liberman. You won’t find Ivy League posturing here. These guys started gritty, selling novelty glasses from the ground up. Real hustle, not inherited Rolodexes.
What made them different? Simple: They moved fast, listened to the market, and kept chasing bigger wins. By the time they landed in front of the Sharks in Season 6, they’d already seen more sales than most hope for in a lifetime side hustle.
The Pitch: Sun-Staches’ Shark Tank Moment — Sales, Drama, and the Numbers
Let’s be clear: Sun-Staches didn’t show up asking for a handout. They wanted $300,000 for just 5% equity. That’s a $6 million valuation — and the Sharks raised their eyebrows hard. But the team led with real numbers: $5.7 million in revenue that year, $750,000 in profit, and products that cost a buck to make but sold for $8–$13 each.
Every Shark Tank fan knows this dance. You show margins this juicy, the Sharks circle like blood in the water. But then comes the test: are you worth what you say? Kevin O’Leary (Mr. Wonderful) pushed, as usual. Most founders crack, overplay their hand, or fumble basic numbers. Not these guys. They stuck to the script. They were open, sharp on costs, and knew their value — but not too stubborn.
Here’s why that matters: I’ve seen founders tank great businesses because they oversold or got greedy. Sun-Staches played it just right.
Valuation and Net Worth: Where the Money REALLY Lands
Did Sun-Staches actually deserve a multimillion-dollar valuation? At face value, $5.7 million in sales sounds massive. After all, most Hot Picks leave the Tank still dreaming of $1 million.
But here’s the grind: High sales don’t always equal a strong business. The real math is in earnings, cash flow, and repeat buys. SharkWorth.com — my go-to for post-Tank net worths — pegged their implied valuation after the deal at $1.5 million ($300,000 for 20%).
Why the drop? The Sharks know TV hype fades, distribution is tough, and novelty products can be a one-hit wonder. It turns out, Sun-Staches had the goods but needed help scaling smart.
As of 2024, word on the street is Sun-Staches still rakes in over $5 million in annual revenue. You don’t see that with every Tank alum. They grew, not just got lucky.
How Daymond John’s Deal Changed the Sun-Staches Game
Let’s talk about the real win: the Shark, not the check. Sure, several Sharks sniffed around. But only Daymond John — the guy who built FUBU out of nothing — saw the full picture.
Why did Daymond bite? He knows licensing. He knows pop culture and getting stuff onto Walmart shelves. His offer: $300,000 for 20% equity. Did the founders blink? No. They read the room, saw value in his network, and said yes.
People underestimate what comes after that handshake. When Daymond signs on, you get more than money. You get connections, negotiating muscle, and someone who’s fought the same brand wars. That’s worth a chunk of equity, trust me.
Big Licensing Wins: From Homemade Gimmick to Disney and Marvel Deals
Here’s the secret sauce. Anyone can pump out novelty glasses and grind out on Amazon. But few can partner with Disney, Marvel, Pokémon, Nintendo, and Warner Bros.
Daymond’s Rolodex got them phone calls most startups would kill for. Sun-Staches went from funny party accessory to official Pokémon eyewear seemingly overnight. That’s not luck. That’s how a Shark makes a difference.
Even before Shark Tank, the founders tried to get Marvel to the table — but the door stayed shut. After the show, with Daymond backing, those doors flung wide open. That’s the pivot that turned a seasonal gimmick into a year-round, evergreen brand.
Fighting Fakes: Protecting Brand and Giving Back
Scaling attracts copycats — and Sun-Staches had plenty. Another lesson for hustlers: If you’re doing it right, someone will try to steal your IP. Sun-Staches fought hard, removing over 1,000 knock-offs and even seeing counterfeiters land in cuffs in China.
But there’s another side: real brands care about doing good. These founders give back — pouring money into Toys for Tots, Autism Speaks, and other charities. When you’ve got the spotlight, don’t just cash out. Make it count.
Is Sun-Staches STILL Winning in 2024? Here’s the Health Check
This is the part TV never covers. Most Tank companies see a revenue pop, then drift back into obscurity. Not Sun-Staches. Their current numbers look solid: over $5 million every year, as of 2024. Those licensing deals keep them relevant, and their products keep evolving.
They’re still hustling hard — fighting IP battles, updating designs, and keeping their fanbase hooked with new pop culture drops. That’s how you survive after TV shine. This isn’t a one season of sales, then silence story. They’re in retail, online, and all over Instagram. Staying power cox mes from adaptation, not just a viral moment.
Real Lessons: What Sun-Staches Teaches Entrepreneurs Who Want More Than Hype
So what’s the takeaway? Shark Tank makes for great TV, but building a real business takes more than a buzzy pitch. Sun-Staches nailed a few key things I’ve seen separate winners from one-hit wonders:
- Know your numbers backwards and forwards. Sharks can smell B.S.
- Choose a partner, not just a paycheck. Daymond’s network was worth ten times the cash.
- Understand your value, but don’t get greedy. Flexibility wins deals that pay off long term.
- Keep your brand tight — defend it and always innovate.
- Give back and build goodwill. It’s a cheat code for business longevity.
A lot of founders try to get rich fast. Few are willing to grind, protect IP, or adapt when the market shifts. Sun-Staches gets real points for doing all three, and they’re still running strong because of it.
If you take nothing else from their Shark Tank story, get this: Hype fades, but good margins, real distribution, and a killer brand will outlast any overnight success.
FAQs
1. Is Sun-Staches still in business as of 2024?
Yes, they’re alive, well, and still pulling in over $5 million a year.
2. How much did the founders get from Shark Tank?
They landed $300,000 for 20% equity from Daymond John.
3. Who invested in Sun-Staches on Shark Tank?
Daymond John was the Shark who sealed the deal.
4. What is Sun-Staches’ reported annual revenue now?
Reported revenue still sits above $5 million yearly in 2024.
5. Did the Shark Tank deal actually close after the show?
Yes. This wasn’t just TV drama — the deal with Daymond John closed and paid off for both sides.
6. Are Sun-Staches glasses protected from copycats?
Yes. The team aggressively fights counterfeits, knocking out over 1,000 fakes from online stores.
7. How did licensing deals boost Sun-Staches sales?
Disney, Marvel, Pokémon, and other licenses turned a novelty into a mainstream, must-have brand.
8. Where can I buy official Sun-Staches products?
Go direct at SunStaches.com or find them via Amazon and major retailers. Skip the knock-offs.
Final Word: The Shark Tank Aftermath — Beyond the Pitch
Sun-Staches isn’t the sexiest pitch or the cleverest product, but these founders knew how to hustle, flex, and deliver. They made a licensing game out of a party gag — and that’s as real a win as you’ll see in Shark Tank history.
Want more business breakdowns and net worth reports? Stick with SharkWorth, where we follow the cash, not just the cameras.
Shark Tank can give you fifteen minutes, but executing the grind after matters most. Sun-Staches has proven that funny ideas can rake in serious money — as long as you’re ready to do the unglamorous, relentless work no one sees on TV.
