A pair of business owners from Brick and Point Pleasant, including a physical therapist who practices in Brick, landed a deal on the hit television show “Shark Tank,” which aired Friday night on ABC.
David Restiano, of Brick Township, and Dr. Dan Staats, of Point Pleasant whose practice is located on Brick Boulevard, convinced billionaire Mark Cuban to invest in their product, Sorsoap, which includes a muscle scraping device combined with a special type of soap that relieves pain and rejuvenates muscles after a workout.
“As these bones get older, our bodies just don’t recover as quickly,” said Staats in his pitch to the ‘sharks.’ “Sorsoap smells amazing, lathers wonderfully, and leaves you refreshed and recharged.”
|
As several of the panelists tried the device, most agreed the product would be best-suited being sold direct to consumer, so potential customers could see an example online and try it for themselves. A few others disagreed, saying retail sales in specialized shops could be the key to success. While some of the ‘sharks’ bowed out in the context of an investment, all were complimentary of the product, with Robert Herjavic heaping praise upon the device, but declining to invest because he prefers companies with more than one product for sale. A few ‘outs’ did not deter the duo, however.
Restiano, a lifelong athlete, and Staats became business partners seemingly out of fate.
“David was a patient of mine first, then he became a friend, then he became a business partner,” Staats said, explaining the company and how the product works. “It increases fibroblast proliferation which leads to collagen synthesis. All that means is that is that it encourages tissue remodeling. You can put it in your pocket, go for a run, and if you get soar, go to that.”
“That’s why I go to this guy for help,” Restiano, a graphic designer by trade, chimed in. “Dan’s worked wonders on my body, but I can’t bring him home with me.”
The two created on the product together, which works in about 90 seconds and sells for $23. They earned $70,000 in just the last quarter alone.
For Cuban, the proof was in the pudding.
“Honestly, my neck has been killing me,” he said. “That’s the reason I’m gonna give you an offer – it fixed my damn neck!”
Cuban and the two locals settled on an investment of $100,000 for 20 percent of the company.