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Whatever Happened To Calm Strips After Shark Tank?

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Of all the products that new entrepreneurs present to the investors on ABC's "Shark Tank," the ones connected to better health seem to attract solid attention. That's why the panel perked up when Luce Fuller and Michael Malkin presented their Calm Strips, hoping for enough extra cash and connections to take their company to the next level. 

Calm Strips allow people to touch, scratch, or rub different types of textured strips, resulting in reduced anxiety and/or extra focus. This product can be applied to any surface and helps people with a variety of mental health conditions including ADHD, autism, and anxiety. By the end of the presentation, the duo walked away with a new investment from Robert Herjavec.

Even before scoring the deal on this Season 13 episode, Malkin and Fuller had impressively established there budding company, reaching $2.5 million in sales before even gracing the "Shark Tank" stage. This fact hooked in the investors as Calm Strips landed their deal with Herjavec. For the new entrepreneurs, this was just a calm before the storm as they explained to ABC Action News how the business immediately became overwhelmed after the airing of their episode. 

"It is bigger than we thought it was going to be," Fuller said. "I think we have about 30 vendors now that are going to be carrying Calm Strips." Nowadays, based on their website, that number has gone up to 75. The product is also available on Amazon and Walmart.

Robert Herjavec's connection to autism helped lock in a deal

With a simple product such as Calm Strips, which are beneficial for people dealing with a whole spectrum of mental disabilities and struggles, the panel on "Shark Tank" saw a profitable opportunity. The company's founders, Michael Malkin and Luce Fuller, came in asking for $250,000 in exchange for 10% of their business. 

After the initial presentation, both Daymond John and Mark Cuban didn't see much potential and dropped out. Meanwhile, Robert Herjavec, who stated that he has several autistic family members, had a more positive reaction. Eventually, a deal was struck as the Shark handed over $250,000 for $2.50 back per unit until getting that investment returned, then $1.50 per unit until reaching $750,000.

Calm Strips continues to grow, now offering an impressive variety of styles, textures, and designs. As more attention is drawn to students' mental health, education packs are now available, containing enough Calm Strips for an entire classroom. 

Both Malkin and Fuller were not only smart enough to jump into a retail section that's getting plenty of attention, but they also did it with a quality product. Whether they are stuck to a school desk for a student, a computer or phone for an adult at work, or anyone who is looking to manage their own mental state, Calm Strips are the perfect quick-fix for everyday activities. The company's success, so far, has proven that there are plenty of people out there who agree, and it can be considered one of many successful products from "Shark Tank."