Every parent knows the struggle of keeping kids entertained without making a huge mess at home. Children love messy, creative activities. Parents, on the other hand, often dread the cleanup. One of the biggest sources of stress for parents over the past few years has been slime. Slime became a huge trend among kids. They watched YouTube videos on making slime, they begged their parents for glue and glitter, and they loved stretching and poking the gooey substance.
But slime also became a nightmare for parents. It stuck to clothes, rugs, and hair. It ruined furniture. It stained carpets. Many parents banned slime completely from their homes because of the damage it caused. This created a problem: kids wanted slime, parents wanted to avoid the mess, and no one seemed happy.
That is where Seriously Slime came in. Entrepreneurs Shannon Valko and Sarah McDermott were two moms who understood both sides of the slime dilemma. They loved seeing kids play with slime, but they hated the chaos it created at home. So they created Seriously Slime, a business designed to let kids enjoy slime without parents worrying about the mess.
Seriously Slime offered slime-making parties where children could play, mix, and create slime in a fun space outside their homes. Parents could sit back and relax while kids had the time of their lives.
Shannon and Sarah appeared on Shark Tank Season 11 to pitch their slime party business. They hoped the Sharks would see the potential in their unique idea and help them expand Seriously Slime beyond their Chicago location. In this article, we will look at their pitch, the Sharks’ responses, what went wrong, what happened after Shark Tank, and what parents and slime-loving kids can learn from this story.
Seriously Slime Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
David Scharfman was looking for an investment of $500k in exchange for 5% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, he valued his company at $10 million. David successfully secured a deal with Lori for an investment of $500k for 5% equity in the company, plus a royalty of 20 cents per unit until she recoups her investment. The investment kept the company’s net worth at around $10 million. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Just the Cheese is around $12 million.
Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
Daniel Lubetzky | Out | N/A | N/A |
Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
Shannon Valko and Sarah McDermott Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Shannon Valko and Sarah McDermott were not just business partners; they were friends and fellow moms who wanted to solve a shared problem. Both of them had experienced the slime craze firsthand with their own kids. They saw the joy that slime brought to children. The creativity, the sensory play, and the endless combinations of colors and textures kept kids engaged for hours.
But they also witnessed the headaches it caused for parents. Slime stuck in hair, clothes, and furniture. Parents were constantly scrubbing floors or throwing out ruined items. Shannon and Sarah knew there had to be a better way.
That’s when they came up with the idea for Seriously Slime. They wanted to give kids the ultimate slime-making experience, but in a place that was safe, controlled, and easy for parents. They started by offering mobile slime parties. They would bring all the supplies to birthday parties or events and set up a slime station where kids could mix, color, and customize their slime.
The best part was that parents didn’t have to worry about cleaning up. Shannon and Sarah handled everything, leaving parents with happy kids and clean homes.
Their success with mobile slime parties led them to open a physical Seriously Slime location in Chicago. Here, kids could come in for open sessions or book parties. They had slime bars where kids could choose colors, scents, and add-ins like glitter or beads. The business started to gain attention in local communities. Parents loved it, kids adored it, and Shannon and Sarah were excited about the future.
When they appeared on Shark Tank, Shannon and Sarah asked for $90,000 in exchange for 10% equity. They wanted to use the investment to grow Seriously Slime by franchising or licensing the concept. They dreamed of opening Seriously Slime locations across the country so every family could enjoy slime without the mess.
During their pitch, they even invited Shark Robert Herjavec to try making slime at their mobile slime station right on stage. He smiled as he mixed slime, and the pitch seemed off to a fun start.
Queries + Sharks’ Responses, and Final Deal
The Sharks were curious but also skeptical as Shannon and Sarah presented Seriously Slime. Kevin O’Leary was quick to point out that there was nothing proprietary about the business. He explained that anyone could create a slime party business. There was no patent or special technology protecting Seriously Slime’s idea.
Kevin felt that this made it a risky investment because competitors could easily copy the concept. He also said he simply hated slime, and because of that, he was out.
Mark Cuban focused on the numbers. He asked Shannon and Sarah about their sales. They revealed that their total lifetime sales were only $28,000. Mark was surprised by how low this number was, especially since they had already opened a physical location. He explained that he didn’t see how Seriously Slime could grow fast enough to make a return on investment. Mark decided he was out because he thought it was impossible to make real money with their current business model.
Robert Herjavec seemed to enjoy the pitch, especially when he got to play with slime himself. But after asking about their plans for expanding the brand, he said he didn’t believe Seriously Slime was really a brand yet. He thought it was a fun activity, but not something he could invest in. Robert told Shannon and Sarah he was out.
Lori Greiner listened carefully. She agreed with the other Sharks that the concept was cute and kids would love it. But she didn’t think it could scale into a big, successful franchise. Lori explained that she couldn’t see a way to get her investment back, so she was out as well.
Guest Shark Daniel Lubetzky had his own thoughts. He told Shannon and Sarah that the only thing he liked was the idea of selling slime containers with pre-made slime kits. He said kids love slime, but it destroys furniture, so he banned it in his house. Daniel believed selling slime containers could be more profitable because it was a product, not a service.
However, since the founders were focused on events and parties, he decided he could not invest. He told them he was out.
One by one, the Sharks bowed out. None of them made an offer, and Shannon and Sarah left the Tank without a deal for Seriously Slime.
What Went Wrong With Seriously Slime On Shark Tank?
There were a few key reasons why Seriously Slime failed to get a deal on Shark Tank. The first major issue was the lack of intellectual property. Kevin O’Leary made it clear that without a patent or proprietary process, the business could not defend itself from competitors. Any other person could start a similar slime party service, making it easy for others to copy the idea.
Another problem was the low sales numbers. When Shannon and Sarah shared that they had made only $28,000 in total sales, the Sharks were immediately concerned. Even though they had opened a physical location, the revenue did not show signs of fast growth. The Sharks want to see proof of demand, and the numbers simply did not convince them.
Scalability was another problem. Mark Cuban, Robert Herjavec, and Lori Greiner all questioned how Seriously Slime could expand into other markets. They worried about the time, effort, and cost of opening new locations or licensing the concept. Since each party required staff, setup, and cleanup, it would be hard to keep the quality consistent across many locations.
Additionally, the service-based model was limiting. Sharks like businesses that can scale quickly with products. Daniel Lubetzky suggested selling slime containers as a product, but since Shannon and Sarah were focused on events, they did not have a plan to pivot. This made the opportunity less attractive.
The final issue was timing. Slime was trending with kids, but trends come and go quickly. The Sharks worried that by the time the founders expanded Seriously Slime, kids might have already moved on to the next big thing. This fear of slime being a fad made the Sharks hesitant to invest.
Product Availability
Seriously Slime offered a unique service before shutting down. The core of their business was slime-making parties. Parents could book a party for their child’s birthday or a special event. Seriously, Slime would set up a slime bar at the location, bringing everything needed for kids to create their custom slime. They provided all the ingredients, containers, and decorations like glitter or beads.
Each child could choose colors and scents for their slime. At the end of the party, they took their slime creations home as souvenirs.
The company also opened a physical Seriously Slime store in Chicago. Here, families could drop in for slime-making sessions or book private parties. They had stations where kids could experiment with different slime recipes. Staff members helped kids make slime safely and kept everything clean. This allowed parents to avoid slime-related messes at home.
For a brief time during the COVID-19 pandemic, Seriously Slime offered virtual slime parties. They shipped slime kits to kids’ homes, then hosted guided slime-making sessions online. This creative pivot helped keep some businesses going when in-person events were impossible. However, the virtual parties were not as profitable as their in-person events. Seriously, Slime sold party packages for around $300 to $350 per hour, which included supplies for all the kids.
Sadly, Seriously Slime’s website is no longer active. Their social media accounts have not been updated since 2021, and they are not accepting new party bookings. No physical stores remain open, and slime products are not available for purchase online or in retail stores.
What Happened To Seriously Slime After Shark Tank?
After appearing on Shark Tank, Seriously Slime continued to operate in Chicago. Shannon and Sarah tried to keep the business alive by offering virtual slime parties when COVID-19 shut down in-person gatherings. These online parties allowed kids to make slime at home with kits shipped by Seriously Slime. The founders also reopened their store in mid-2021 when restrictions eased. However, their sales never recovered to a sustainable level.
The pandemic had a major impact on Seriously Slime. Parties and events were their main source of income, but lockdowns and social distancing stopped gatherings for months. Families canceled bookings. Even after reopening, many parents were hesitant to hold parties with groups of children. Without steady revenue, Shannon and Sarah struggled to cover costs.
By the end of 2021, Seriously Slime quietly shut down. Their website was taken offline, and social media posts stopped. There are no signs of the business reopening or rebranding. Seriously, Slime is now out of business, and Shannon and Sarah have not announced any new slime-related projects. The Sharks were right about the challenges of scaling an event-based business. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic made the situation even harder for Seriously Slime to survive.
Conclusion
Seriously, Slime’s journey on Shark Tank was a tough one. Shannon Valko and Sarah McDermott came up with a fun, creative idea that solved a real problem for parents. They wanted to let kids enjoy the magic of slime without parents worrying about the mess. Their pitch was full of energy, and they showed how much kids loved slime. But the Sharks saw problems with the business model, low sales numbers, and scalability. Every Shark decided to pass on investing.
After Shark Tank, Shannon and Sarah worked hard to adapt during the pandemic. They offered virtual slime parties and reopened their store. But the challenges of the pandemic and slow sales forced Seriously Slime to close. Today, the company is out of business. Seriously, Slime’s story reminds us that even creative ideas need strong numbers, scalability, and timing to succeed. It also shows how unpredictable events, like a global pandemic, can change everything for small businesses.

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.