Getting ready in the morning can feel like a messy rush for many women. Counter space in bathrooms is limited, and makeup and skincare items tend to spill over the sink. You juggle palettes, brushes, creams, and tools—all perched precariously. A brush rolls off. A bottle tips and spills. You end up searching through clutter for that one lipstick or eyeliner. The start of the day becomes stressful, not calm.
That’s why Melissa Clayton created The Matte, a foldable makeup organizer that fits over your bathroom sink. It unfolds into a clean surface you can place your products on, then folds flat again when done. It gives you a dedicated space for your morning routine without needing a counter. By adding this simple tool, she aims to make getting ready smoother, neater, and faster—no chaos, just calm.
On Shark Tank, she asked for $100,000 in exchange for 20% of her company. She demonstrated how it solved a daily struggle many people face—getting ready without mess and stress. She showcased sales from Amazon, her site, and a small retail partner.
The Matte Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Melissa was looking for an investment of $100k in exchange for 20% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, she valued her company at $500k. Melissa successfully secured a deal with Lori for an investment of $100k for 33.3% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $300k. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of The Matte is around $2.5 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Kendra Scott
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
$100,000 for 33.3% equity
$100,000 for 25% equity
Yes
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Barbara Corcoran
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Melissa Clayto Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Melissa Clayton is a two-time entrepreneur from Acton, Massachusetts. Her first business, Tiny Tags, makes personalized gold jewelry celebrating motherhood. She grew that into a strong brand over the years. But like many women, she still battled morning bathroom clutter. No vanity. No space. Products squeezed in tight spots.
Inspired to solve this universal problem, she invented The Matte. It’s a thin, foldable surface that opens over your sink, letting products rest securely. When you’re done, just fold it back and store it flat. It’s light, portable, and simple.
She launched the product online and used influencers to help build awareness. Before appearing on Shark Tank, she had earned $200,000 in sales over three years and made $20,000 in the month just before filming. She sold each Matte for $24.99, with production costs of around $7 landed.
On the show, she looked poised and confident. She asked for $100,000 in exchange for 20% of her company, valuing it at $500,000. She emphasized how The Matte gave women a better space for their routines—an everyday tool, not a luxury fad.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Each shark had a chance to inspect and question her pitch.
Kevin O’Leary asked about the product’s appeal and whether men understood it. Melissa responded that while men might not instantly get it, women deeply do. Still, Kevin felt the business was very niche and opted out. He said he hadn’t felt the product personally and didn’t see the broad necessary appeal.
Mark Cuban commented that he could picture his daughters needing something like this, but he didn’t see a big enough opportunity for him and stepped away.
Barbara Corcoran said she understood the problem and liked the product, but didn’t see enough scale potential. She decided against investing.
Kendra Scott, the guest shark, appreciated both products and Melissa’s female perspective. But she felt the product needed more refinement and wasn’t ready for her investment.
That left Lori Greiner, known as the “Queen of QVC.” She recognized the need in tight bathrooms and liked the simplicity. She offered $100,000 for 33.3% equity. Melissa tried to negotiate her down to 25%, citing her growing brand. Lori declined and stuck with her initial terms. Melissa accepted, and they struck a deal on-air.
Product Availability
The Matte is designed to be simple and affordable. It unfolds into a flat surface that rests securely across a sink. It holds makeup, brushes, palettes, skincare bottles, and tools, allowing them to sit neatly in front of a woman during her routine. It folds back to about the size of an iPad with no fuss.
It’s available in pink or black from The Matte’s official website for $39.99, and there’s also a two-pack deal for $59.99. A travel bag is available for $9.99. On Amazon, the Matte is priced around $34.99 and receives hundreds of positive reviews. It ships within 48 hours.
Melissa sells through her own site, Amazon, and a third-party retail partner. The current version reflects user feedback, improved sturdiness, and refined edges for easier folding.
What Happened To The Matte After Shark Tank?
The exposure from Shark Tank worked wonders. The episode aired in April 2021, and media buzz followed immediately. In the month after airing, Melissa saw a surge in orders so large that her family stepped in to help pack shipments. She has reported selling over 10,000 units since launch.
By April 2023, lifetime sales had exceeded $6 million. Annual revenue runs around $500,000 as of 2025. The company remains active in 2025, selling the pink and black versions, the two-pack, and the travel bag.
Melissa also appeared on The Today Show in 2016 and continues to be part of women’s business circles, including the Women in Retail Leadership Circle since 2022. Meanwhile, her jewelry brand Tiny Tags has grown into a recognized business featured in O Magazine and Goop, with Meryl Streep donning one of her necklaces
Melissa Clayton spotted a simple daily problem—tiny bathroom spaces and scattered beauty routines. She invented The Matte, a foldable sink cover that gives women a clean surface for their products. With a pitch on Shark Tank, she asked Lori Greiner for $100,000 in exchange for a one-third share in her company. Though other sharks passed, Lori invested, and they made a deal on-air.
But after the episode, that deal didn’t close. While the public doesn’t know why, the product thrived anyway. Sales skyrocketed to over $6 million in total.
Melissa continues selling online and on Amazon in multiple colors. She continues running The Matte alongside her jewelry business. Her experience shows that sometimes the value of Shark Tank comes more from exposure than from the deal itself. The Matte remains a helpful, elegant solution for organizing beauty routines, and Melissa’s entrepreneurial spirit keeps shining.
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.
