What Happened To Locker Board After Shark Tank Pitch?
  • Save

What Happened To Locker Board After Shark Tank Pitch?

What Happened To Locker Board After Shark Tank Pitch? Locker Board After Shark Tank Update Locker Board is a skateboard designed to fit inside a school locker or backpack, making it easy to take anywhere. It was founded by Carson Kropel, who appeared on Shark Tank Season 9 and secured a deal with Richard Branson…

What Happened To Locker Board After Shark Tank Pitch?

Locker Board After Shark Tank Update

Locker Board is a skateboard designed to fit inside a school locker or backpack, making it easy to take anywhere. It was founded by Carson Kropel, who appeared on Shark Tank Season 9 and secured a deal with Richard Branson for $65,000 in exchange for a 20% stake.

The company was later licensed to Wham-O in 2020, and the decks are now made from 100% maple wood, a more sustainable choice.

The company is currently for sale for $150,000, including trademarks, patents, Shopify and Amazon stores, social media accounts, customer databases, and ongoing traffic driven by reruns of the Shark Tank episode

What is  Locker Board?

Locker Board is a groundbreaking personal transportation device conceived by a pre-teen from Southern California.

Unlike traditional skateboards, the Locker Board is a non-folding skateboard designed to fit conveniently into a school locker or backpack when not in use.

Initially crafted from recyclable materials, it offers a sustainable and versatile alternative for skateboard enthusiasts.

What Happened To Locker Board After Shark Tank Pitch?
  • Save
Version 1.0.0

Meet the Inventor: Carson Kropfl

Carson Kropfl, a middle school student from San Clemente, California, is the young genius behind Locker Board. Before this venture, Carson had already experimented with creating devices, including one that mimicked surfing using a skateboard on land.

What Happened To Locker Board After Shark Tank Pitch?
  • Save

The overwhelming demand for his innovative skateboard soon required him to outsource production to keep up.

At just 11 years old, Carson developed the Locker Board out of necessity—his standard skateboards were too large to fit in his school locker. Driven by a desire to avoid household chores and too young for traditional employment, Carson commercialized his invention.

He now enjoys mentorship from industry leaders such as Wing Lam, Co-Founder of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, and Noah Murphy-Reinhertz from Nike’s Sustainable Innovation Team.

 Carson also donates $1 from each board sold to the Tony Hawk Foundation, supporting the construction of skate parks in underserved areas.

Locker Board’s Shark Tank Experience

Carson and his mother appeared on Season 9, Episode 1 of Shark Tank, seeking $60,000 for a 15% stake in Locker Board, valuing the company at $400,000. Carson wowed the Sharks with his pitch, showcasing his skateboarding skills and highlighting the eco-friendly aspect of his boards made from repurposed skateboards.

Despite the high cost of production—$13 per board, sold wholesale for $55, and retailing at $99—Carson impressed the Sharks with his business acumen and social media savvy.

Although Lori Greiner and Daymond John opted out, Mark Cuban offered $60,000 for a 20% stake, emphasizing his interest in leveraging social media for growth. Richard Branson countered with $65,000 for 20%, which Carson ultimately accepted after a brief pause.

Post-Shark Tank Growth and Developments

Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Locker Board’s sales skyrocketed by 300%, accompanied by a significant increase in online traffic.

The deal with Richard Branson was finalized, and Carson even took two weeks off school to focus on his burgeoning business. Upon completing middle school, he returned to regular schooling for high school.

What Happened To Locker Board After Shark Tank Pitch?
  • Save

In February 2020, Locker Board was featured on The Shark Tank Greatest of All Time Special in the “baby sharks” category, recognizing young entrepreneurs.

A month later, Carson secured a licensing agreement with Wham-O, the creators of the Slip ‘N Slide, leading to wider distribution.

By November 2021, Wham-O Locker Boards were available at major retailers like Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and on Amazon.

Locker Board saw significant success following its Shark Tank appearance, selling over 1,000 skateboards.

As of 2022, 16-year-old Carson continues to be the face of the company, which also includes his street surfing product, Streetubez.

In 2024, the partnership with Wham-O concluded, and Carson decided to sell the business. Currently, Locker Board is listed for sale at $150,000, according to the company’s website.

Here is a table summary of the key information from the text:

MetricValue
EntrepreneurCarson Kropel
BusinessLocker/backpack-sized skateboard
Ask on Shark Tank$60,000 for 15% equity
Result on Shark Tank$65,000 for 20% equity from Richard Branson
Shark Tank Offers– Richard Branson: $65,000 for 20% equity
– Mark Cuban: $60,000 for 20% equity
– Robert Herjavec: $60,000 for 8% equity as loan
– Daymond John: No Offer
Pre-Shark Tank Sales$10,000 revenue, 231 units sold
Production CostInitially $3, then $13 after partnering with Vans
Wholesale/Retail Price$52 wholesale, $99 retail
Profit MarginOver 50%
Locker Board Update– Licensed to Wham-O in March 2020 at age 14
– Wham-O began selling on Amazon in March 2021
– Decks now made from 100% maple wood (more sustainable)
Impact of Wham-O DealAllowed Carson to focus on school and friends while still managing the business

Locker Board’s Current Valuation and Market Position

Originally seeking $60,000 for 15% of Locker Board, Carson accepted $65,000 for a 20% stake, valuing the company at $325,000 at the time. Given its substantial growth since then, Locker Board’s valuation has undoubtedly increased, reflecting its success and market expansion.

Competitors in the Market

Locker Board’s primary competitor is the Penny Board, another compact skateboard designed for ease of transport and storage. Despite the competition, Locker Board distinguishes itself with its commitment to sustainability and innovative design.

Similar Posts