⁠"Practically never happens" When Eyewris' father-son duo bagged a $125,000 deal with all five Shark Tank investors 

In a rare moment of Shark Tank history, father-son duo Mark and Kenzo Singer achieved what Kevin O'Leary described as something that:

"Practically never happens"

According to Shark Tank's Mr. Wonderful, securing investment from all five Sharks simultaneously is an incredibly rare feat.

The pair walked into the ABC reality show seeking a modest $25,000 for 5% of their innovative reading glasses company, Eyewris. Instead, they walked away with $125,000 for 20% equity, backed by the complete panel of wealthy investors. Their product, foldable reading glasses that "spring open and snap shut" to form a wearable bracelet, struck both a practical and emotional chord with the Sharks.

The Santa Barbara-based company had only generated $28,000 in lifetime sales at the time of filming, yet something about their pitch transcended mere business metrics.

It wasn't just their ingenious product that won over the notoriously tough investors of Shark Tank– it was a heartfelt moment of vulnerability that transformed a typical negotiation into one of the show's most memorable deals.

What happened during Eyewris’ Shark Tank pitch?

The Eyewris story begins with an impressive pedigree. Mark Singer, the father half of the duo, isn't just any entrepreneur – he's the creator of Gorilla Glue, the wildly successful adhesive brand found in hardware stores across America.

Despite this impressive background, Mark faced a common problem as he aged:

"As I got older, I needed reading glasses more and more and they were never with me when I needed them," he explained during their pitch.

Elaborating:

"I thought the solution was to buy a dozen pairs and put them everywhere. I still didn't have them when I needed them."

This everyday frustration sparked an idea that his son Kenzo, a Cornell-educated structural engineer, would help bring to life. Kenzo applied his expertise in an unexpected way, noting that:

"Physics at the scale of a skyscraper also applies to something as small as a pair of reading glasses."

The result was Eyewris – reading glasses that fold into a bracelet you can wear, ensuring they're always available when needed.

When Shark Daymond John asked why they needed investor help given their profitable status and Mark's ability to self-fund (he had already put $630,000 into the company), Mark's answer changed the entire tone of the negotiation.

"Your most valuable commodity isn't your money, it's your time," Mark answered, visibly emotional.

Explaining:

"I don't have it in me to build another company. My time has passed. My main reason for being here is to leave Kenzo in good hands, and by that I mean with successful, smart, honest and ethical people like yourselves."

This vulnerable moment visibly moved Lori Greiner, who was the first to make an offer: $25,000 for 10% equity.

"I know this business, I know what it takes. I've done millions of dollars in sunglasses... and I think that this is really ingenious," she said.

Kevin O'Leary quickly followed with $50,000 for 10%. The unexpected bidding war had begun.

What started as individual offers quickly evolved into something extraordinary. When Daymond John asked to partner with Greiner, the Singers pushed back, stating they didn't want to give up 10% for any amount.

O'Leary sensed opportunity and suggested a three-Shark partnership. As Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran attempted to join the fray, the Sharks took a rare moment to huddle.

When they returned, O'Leary announced their collective offer: $125,000 for 25% equity, with all five Sharks involved.

"Every single Shark wants to back you guys," he stated.

Kenzo skillfully negotiated down to 20% equity, and the deal was struck.

"I couldn't be prouder of my dad," Kenzo said afterward.

Stating:

"I've never seen him get emotional like that."

Eyewris’ success beyond the Shark Tank

Since their 2022 Shark Tank appearance, Eyewris has collected an impressive array of design accolades. The company secured the Gold New York Product Design Award, the Silver Muse Design Award, the Red Dot Innovative Product Award, and the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.

While competitors like ThinOptics offer similar concepts with keychain-attached reading glasses, Eyewris has secured utility patents for their unique wrist-wearable design. The company also prioritizes higher quality materials than competitors, positioning itself as a premium option in the market.

Despite their limited social media presence – with just a few thousand followers across Instagram and Facebook – Eyewris has built an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million. The company regularly showcases its product's versatility through social content, highlighting various situations where having accessible reading glasses proves invaluable.

With five Shark Tank investors backing their vision and providing mentorship, the father-son team continues to expand on their initial success. What began as a simple solution to a common problem has transformed into a thriving business that bridges generations – both in its leadership and its target market.

Mark Singer's emotional pitch wasn't just about securing investment; it was about creating a legacy. At that moment, Eyewris became more than just another Shark Tank deal – it became a testament to family innovation passing from one generation to the next, with five of America's most successful entrepreneurs along for the ride.

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Shark Tank airs Fridays at 8 PM ET on ABC, with all episodes available on Hulu.