Parents often find it challenging to keep their children’s toys organized, especially when it comes to dollhouses. These toys can take up a lot of space, be difficult to move, and be messy. Pieces can easily get lost, and cleaning up can be frustrating.
Kayla Lupean, a mother and entrepreneur, realized this problem while watching her daughter struggle with a heavy and chaotic dollhouse. This inspired her to create a new kind of dollhouse that is portable and easy to manage.
The result was Play Maysie, a special dollhouse that opens like a lunchbox and is fitted with magnetic floors. This design means that the furniture and dolls can stick to it, preventing anything from getting lost while playing. It is also lightweight and designed for kids to play with easily, whether at home or on the go.
Kayla pitched her idea for Play Maysie on Shark Tank Season 14, seeking $150,000 for a 10% stake in her company. She shared her personal story, highlighting her determination as a single mom who even sold her car to support her business. The sharks were moved by her passion.
Play Maysie Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Kayla was looking for an investment of $150k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, she valued her company at $1.5 million. Kayla successfully secured a deal with Barbara for an investment of $150k for 20% equity in the company, along with a $5 royalty per unit sold until the investment is paid back. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $750k. After the show was aired, Play Maysie saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Play Maysie in 2025 is around $1 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Barbara Corcoran
$150,000 for 30% + $5 royalty/unit until investment is recouped $150,000 + $100k credit line for 30% + $5 royalty/unit$150,000 for 20% + $7 royalty/unit
$150,000 for 20% + $5 royalty/unit
Yes
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Daymond John
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Kayla Lupean Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Kayla Lupean had a tough journey to create her business, Play Maysie. After going through a divorce in 2013, she adopted her daughter and worked hard to support them. Initially, she ran a photography business, but when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, that business shut down, and she lost her income.
Not giving up, Kayla decided to turn her idea for a portable dollhouse into a reality. She used her savings to create a Kickstarter campaign, a platform that helps entrepreneurs fund their creative projects. Her campaign was successful, raising $30,000, which allowed her to get started on making the dollhouses.
Kayla made some significant sacrifices to keep Play Maysie afloat. She even sold her car to pay for business expenses and dedicated all her time to making the dollhouse successful. By the end of 2021, her hard work paid off, and she made $175,000 in sales, showing that people wanted her product.
However, 2022 brought new challenges. There was a mistake in the supply chain, resulting in too much inventory, which led her to bring on an investor who now owns 10% of her business. Still, Kayla remained optimistic and projected that her sales would reach $400,000 by the end of that year.
When she appeared on Shark Tank, she was confident and showcased how her magnetic dollhouse worked, emphasizing that it opened like a lunchbox and kept all the pieces in place. She highlighted that Play Maysie was designed to be gender-neutral, so it appealed to all children. Kayla asked for $150,000 in exchange for a 10% share of her company, intending to use the funds for expanding production and marketing her product further.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Sharks had mixed reactions to her business model and potential for growth.
Lori was interested in Kayla’s personal story about overcoming challenges as a single mom, but felt the toy market was very competitive. As a result, she decided not to invest.
Daymond liked the product but was concerned about whether Play Maysie could stand out among many other toys on the market. He acknowledged Kayla’s hard work but also chose not to invest.
Kevin appreciated Kayla’s dedication, but didn’t see enough profit potential in her business model. He suggested that instead of trying to build the brand herself, she should consider licensing the idea to a larger toy company. He also decided not to invest.
Mark saw some potential in Play Maysie but advised Kayla to grow her business slowly at first. He encouraged her to focus on developing the business organically, but he did not make an investment offer.
Barbara was the only Shark who recognized long-term potential in Play Maysie. She liked the product and Kayla’s determination. After negotiations, she offered Kayla $150,000 in exchange for 20% ownership of the company and a $7 royalty for each unit sold, until she recouped her investment.
Product Availability
Play Maysie is a product that you can buy from a few different places: the official website, Amazon, and some toy stores. The prices vary a bit, ranging from $49 to $89, based on the specific model you choose. The company is doing well and plans to create more designs and expand to more stores in the future.
What Happened To The Play Maysie After Shark Tank?
Since being featured on Shark Tank, the company Play Maysie has experienced significant growth and success. In 2023, Play Maysie achieved a remarkable 140% increase in sales, meaning they sold much more than the previous year. The founder, Kayla, introduced new products like themed dollhouses, which helped attract even more customers to the brand.
A high percentage of customers (51%) have chosen to buy from Play Maysie again, indicating strong brand loyalty. The company is now worth $1 million and is generating about $400,000 in revenue each year.
With the help of Barbara, a mentor from Shark Tank, Kayla was able to improve her manufacturing and retail deals, allowing Play Maysie products to be available online and in select toy stores. This has made the products easier for customers to access and purchase.
Conclusion
Kayla Lupean’s story with her business, Play Maysie, is an inspiring example of overcoming obstacles. She took a big risk by selling her car to invest in her idea, which eventually led her to the popular show Shark Tank. There, she caught the attention of Barbara Corcoran, who decided to invest in her company. This support helped Kayla grow her business, leading to more sales and new products.
Even though not all the investors on Shark Tank were convinced about Play Maysie, Barbara’s belief in Kayla made a significant difference. Now, Play Maysie is doing really well, with many happy customers and increasing profits. Their product—a portable, mess-free dollhouse—is perfect for parents who want something convenient and fun for their kids.
If you’re looking for a toy that is enjoyable, easy to transport, and keeps everything tidy, Play Maysie is an excellent option. With Barbara’s mentorship, Kayla’s future in business looks even more promising.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
