Let’s talk about a classic Shark Tank myth: They got a deal, so they’re set for life. That’s TV magic talking—not how business wins get built. People’s Design proved this the hard way. Tyler Peoples walked in, pitched with all the hustle you’d want to see from a founder, got one of the top Sharks on board… and still, the company closed up shop.
If you’re an entrepreneur, a founder in the trenches, or just a Shark Tank junkie curious about what happens after the cameras cut, keep reading. This is how the real grind played out.
The Founder: Tyler Peoples, Not Your Average Kitchen Guy
Tyler Peoples didn’t look like your typical inventor. No lab coat. No big brand money behind him. He was a working chef out of Colorado Springs, flipping omelets and running plates in real restaurants. That matters. Some ideas come from a brainstorming session; Tyler’s came from solving daily headaches running a kitchen.
He saw the problem: Too many gadgets, too little space. People want to cook smarter, not collect endless bowls, strainers, and spatulas. That was the crack in the market he wanted to fill.
What I respect? Tyler is the guy who actually DID something about his pain point. Most founders spend more time talking or waiting until it’s perfect. Tyler built it, branded it (first People’s Design, later Squeebie), and hustled straight onto national TV.
The Pitch: Shark Tank, Season 8, Episode 23
Shark Tank’s bright lights can turn founders into deer in headlights—or force them to level up. Tyler wasn’t there for the drama. He showed up with his Scooping Bowl, right to the point, and laid the numbers on the table.
Here’s how the pitch played out:
- He asked for $75,000, offering 25% equity.
- Demonstrated the bowl: wash, strain, mix, serve, all in one tool.
- Passed out samples and let the Sharks get hands-on.
- Shared hard numbers: $5.80 to make, $24.95 on shelves.
- Filed his patent—to protect his turf in a copycat-heavy kitchen aisle.
The catch? At the time of filming, Tyler had only sold about 200 units. That is NOT Shark bait numbers, let’s be real. But he knew face-to-face sales worked. Big markets, he just needed eyeballs.
Breaking Down the Scooping Bowl (Squeebie): Does It Solve a Real Problem?
You’ve seen the all-in-one kitchen gadgets before, right? Half of them end up on late-night infomercials or stuffed in drawers. I’ll say this: Tyler’s Scooping Bowl actually fixed multiple kitchen headaches.
- It wasn’t just another mixing bowl.
- It washed, strained, and mixed—then you could serve straight from it.
- Built-in spatula? Smart. Less cleanup, more chef speed at home.
Look, not every invention needs rocket science. What matters is: does it actually save time or make life easier for people? Tyler, as a chef, had the credibility to sell it. But product winners don’t always win shelf space.
Shark Tank Drama: Which Sharks Bit, and Why Most Didn’t
If you’ve watched enough Shark Tank (and trust me, I have), you know most Sharks are allergic to kitchen gadgets. Shout out to the Scrub Daddy crew—they’re the exception, not the rule.
When Tyler pitched:
- Lori Greiner—the queen of QVC—was the only one who saw the angle.
- Mark Cuban cut out fast: My favorite utensil is the phone—I order takeout. You can’t blame him; housewares is a grind.
- Kevin O’Leary actually told Tyler to take Lori’s deal. That’s not shade—it’s a tip from a guy who’s seen thousands fail on volume.
- Robert and Daymond? Too much competition, too little traction.
Lori made her move: $75k, but she wanted 33.3%—more than Tyler offered. Tyler tried to muscle in a royalty (smart, risky, a classic Shark Tank ask), but Lori stuck to her guns. At the end, he took the deal.
This is the move so many founders choke on: They try to get greedy or play hardball too early. Tyler? He saw Lori as the fast-track ticket to kitchens everywhere, so he took the shot.
Deal Done. But Does TV Money Change Everything?
Here’s the reality they don’t glam up on TV: Getting a Shark is just a ticket to the starting line, not the finish.
- Yes, Lori cut the check.
- Yes, she put Squeebie on QVC, as promised.
- The rebrand (from People’s Design to Squeebie Multi-Purpose Mixing Bowl) helped, because let’s be honest.
- People’s Design Scooping Bowl isn’t memorable retail branding.
Sales? Not bad for a first-timer:
- Roughly $500,000 in two years after the show.
- Huge interest on Shark Tank night; classic Shark Tank effect—the product spike every founder dreams about.
Fun fact: The company got so swamped with orders post-episode that customers ended up on waitlists. Every early-stage DTC founder knows that pain: big hits, no way to scale production, and then… customer service hell.
Let’s Talk Net Worth—Where’d All the Money Go?
People love to hear half a million sold. Here’s the dirty truth: On a $25 item that costs almost $6 to build (plus shipping, QVC’s cut, and whatever Lori takes), that cash goes FAST.
- The $75k Lori invested? It went into scaling—inventory, manufacturing, filling QVC orders, and keeping up with spikes.
- None’s driving Lambos off $500k in top-line sales after costs, splits, and marketing. That’s startup cash flow 101.
- By 2018, the bank account was empty enough to call it quits. That’s not failure—that’s the story 90% of Shark Tank companies live off-air.
Why Didn’t People’s Design Stay in the Game?
Let’s get real: Kitchen products are a bloodbath. This isn’t some Red Bull or Bombas DTC runaway train. You’re fighting for shelf space and attention.
Here’s what went sideways for People’s Design/Squeebie:
- Too many cheap imitators. The second you get visibility, lookalikes flood the market.
- Manufacturing lagged behind the demand spike post-Shark Tank. That burns early fans fast—when they wait, they forget.
- Margins weren’t sweet enough to fuel a comeback. That $5.80 cost is high when retail prices cap at $25 (and retailers/QVC take their cuts).
Tyler’s chef hustle powered the early win. But scaling production and keeping demand hot? That’s where founders get tested. In this case, the TV high was short-lived.
Could Anyone Have Saved Squeebie?
Every what if in Shark Tank land is about execution after airtime. Lori Greiner did exactly what she promised: she got exposure, some QVC action, a quick rebrand.
But unless you build a sticky customer base or a cult following (see: Squatty Potty, Scrub Daddy), gadget sales plateau fast.
I’ve seen it before—Shark Tank brings a tidal wave of attention. The brands that last have fast, frictionless fulfillment and a hook that locks in repeat customers. Squeebie was cool but didn’t become a kitchen must-have. That’s the brutal product reality.
Where’s Tyler Peoples Now?
This part is all too common: Tyler has stayed under the radar since Squeebie shut down. There’s no sign of a new public-facing business, no viral comeback.
Should you count him out? Never. Hustlers pivot. He’s walked the full arc—idea to Shark deal to shutdown. That’s a Ph.D. in the school of hard knocks, and it’s how real founders learn to build bigger, smarter next time.
Lessons for Founders from the People’s Design Shark Tank Ride
Let’s strip out the TV magic for a sec. Shark Tank is just the start—funding is fuel, not a map to success. What actually works?
- Proof of concept: Sell more than 200 units before you pitch a panel of billionaires. Real customers prove your case.
- Scale infrastructure: Anticipate the Shark Tank effect. If you can’t ship, you’re burning trust.
- Don’t chase gadgets—solve pain points for repeat, loyal customers.
- Take fast, fair deals if your Shark brings distribution power (Lori on QVC). Sometimes, speed > haggling for fair equity.
I’ve seen the pattern a hundred times: big initial rush, tough follow-through. People’s Design got a taste of the mountain top, but the margins and market pressure won in the end.
Shark Tank is great for headlines. The founders who last know it’s not about one big break—it’s about building a machine that keeps working after the news cycle dies.
That’s what separates the hype launches from the brands that build deep, sticky roots.
FAQs: The Straight Answers (According to SharkWorth)
Is People’s Design or Squeebie still in business?
No, they shut down in 2018—Squeebie bowls are off the market.
How much money did Tyler Peoples and People’s Design make after Shark Tank?
About $500,000 in gross sales, but that money went fast—and didn’t flip into a big brand.
Did Lori Greiner get Squeebie on QVC?
Yes. She delivered what she promised, giving them a national sales burst.
Why did the business close after getting a Shark deal?
Big demand, production snag, and cutthroat competition. Hype faded, and consistent sales just weren’t there.
Can I buy the Squeebie Multi-Purpose Mixing Bowl now?
No. It’s discontinued.
Did Tyler launch anything new after Squeebie?
No public info on new products from Tyler post-Shark Tank.
Were any Sharks besides Lori interested?
Nope—everyone else passed, pointing to competition or lack of traction.
Biggest lesson for Shark Tank founders?
Exposure helps—real wins come from nailing fulfillment, building long-term demand, and solving repeat pain points.
Want more true stories about where Shark Tank cash goes and which hustlers actually win? Bookmark SharkWorth for the straight, unglamorous truth—because the real show is after the pitch.
