The Original Comfy is a mix between a blanket and an oversized sweater. As the product ads say, it is made for comfort and warmth. It was founded by brothers Michael and Brian Speciale, who struck a deal with Barbara Corcoran. As of 2024, The Original Comfy is estimated to be worth $50 million.
Michael and Brian Spicer
Michael and Brian Speciale are single fathers living in Phoenix, Arizona. Brian has a degree in Broadcast Management from Arizona State University. In 1993, he started at KSAZ-TV as a video editor and later became the Executive Sports Producer at KPHO.
In 1997, he decided to become a freelance programmer and worked for companies such as CBS, ESPN and NBC. He then became a host and anchor for KTAR FM, KION and Tier One Media. In 2008, he founded his own production company, Blowtorch Media.
From divorce to invention
When Michael was getting divorced, his brother let him live in his home. There, he noticed that Brian’s son Saxon was getting cozy in his big sweaters. Michael happened to see a wool blanket nearby, which inspired him to create this product.
He told Brian, and the two began designing an oversized, reversible adult sweatshirt that also doubled as a blanket. The Original Comfy, launched in 2017, is essentially an updated version of the Snuggie.
The founders claim that the Comfy is better designed. The Snuggie is like a blanket with armrests, while the Comfy is an oversized version of a hoodie.
Appeared on Shark Tank
Less than six months after launching the company, Michael and Brian appeared on the show’s ninth season, asking for $50,000 in exchange for 20% equity. By then, the company had no sales, no finished product, and no website.
The brothers gave a very lively presentation and sang their own versions of holiday songs. This entertained the Sharks and really captured their attention. Despite the poor sales, they gave a great presentation and gave very honest answers.
Lori Greiner thought the invention wasn’t unique enough. Robert Herjavec and Barbara Corcoran, on the other hand, wanted to give the entrepreneurs a chance. Robert wanted 50% of the shares, which was too greedy, and Barbara won by offering $50,000 for 30%. Barbara rarely invested, but when she did, she took a hands-on approach to marketing and purchasing.
The rise and fall after Shark Tank
Original Comfy sold out the day after it aired on Shark Tank. They focused on production to keep up with demand and used the product’s virality to achieve huge sales. Five weeks after the show aired, the founders revealed they had hit $5 million in sales.
Following Sharks’s advice, they put the product online and it’s available on Amazon and TheComfy.com. You can also buy it at retailers like Costco, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, The Paper Store and Zappos.
Original Comfy is currently one of the top ten most successful products on Shark Tank due to its sales. The company does not disclose its annual revenue, but its total sales have reached $550 million as of October 2023. Comfy is worth an estimated $50 million, and Barbara said in an interview that it is her best investment to date.
Despite their amazing sales, the company was in trouble in the summer of 2021. Due to poor financial decisions and supply chain issues, they were almost bankrupt. Michael Spesile candidly revealed in an interview with Forbes that Barbara and his brother Brian were no longer involved. He bought out both of them for an undisclosed amount. Michael said that Barbara refused to help when they really needed her.
Categories: Shark Tank
Source: dut.edu.vn
