Shopping with a baby can be frustrating. Parents often struggle with balancing a car seat and groceries in a cart. The seat takes up space, making it harder to shop freely. It disrupts walking around the store and makes errands stressful. Many parents have to choose between carrying things and doing them slowly. This problem is common and tiring.
That is why Lindsey Fleischhauer and her father Stan Valius teamed up to solve it. They created a sling-like device that attaches a car seat safely to the top of any shopping cart. Suddenly, parents can shop hands-free and move freely. Totes Babies makes shopping easier and less tense. They took their invention to Shark Tank’s Season 12 Episode 17.
They asked for a $100,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity and hoped to expand to big retail. They impressed the Sharks with their device and their story. The episode ended with a deal, but did everything go smoothly afterward? Let’s find out.
Totes Babies Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Lindsey and Stan were looking for an investment of $100k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $1 million. Lindsey and Stan successfully secured a deal with Lori for an investment of $100k for 25% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $400k. After the show was aired, Totes Babies saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Totes Babies is around $605k.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Daniel Lubetzky and Robert
$100,000 for 22% equity$100,000 for 25% equity
N/A
No
Lori Greiner
$100,000 for 25% equity
N/A
Yes
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Robert Herjavec
$100,000 for 25% equity
N/A
No
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Lindsey Fleischhauer Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Lindsey studied theater arts and lived in Illinois. Her dad Stan runs a fixture company. When the baby came, Lindsey faced the car seat problem firsthand. She sketched an idea and showed it to Stan. He built a prototype using simple materials from a hardware store. They created a sling that hooks over the cart and supports the car seat.
It took about a year of testing and refining before they launched at a baby expo in Chicago in 2018. They got feedback and patented the design.
By the time they auditioned for Shark Tank, they had sold $220,000 worth of carriers. Lindsey said it cost $9.90 to make one unit, and they sold it for $39.95. They were already in Buy Buy Baby and Bed Bath & Beyond. They wanted Shark funding to scale production and expand distribution, perhaps with better packaging and placement in big retailers.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
Mark Cuban was the first to drop out. He liked the idea and suggested approaching grocery stores directly. But he said it wasn’t his area, so he exited.
Kevin O’Leary congratulated them, but said he could not offer much.
Daniel Lubetzky praised their hustle, but said he couldn’t be the right partner.
Then Robert Herjavec offered $100,000 for 25% equity, saying he could help with distribution.
Lori Greiner saw the product as a licensing candidate alongside her other baby portfolio. She offered $100,000 for 25% equity.
Daniel re-entered with a $100,000 offer for 22%, but Robert and Daniel teamed up to match 25%. After considering both options, Lindsey and Stan chose Lori’s offer.
They agreed with Lori because of her licensing insight and retail network. Despite interest from others, they took Lori’s offer and left the tank with a deal.
Product Availability
The Totes Babies carrier is a durable sling that attaches over the top bar of any standard shopping cart. It looms over the cart, holding a car seat securely by safety straps. It can support up to 75 pounds, which covers most car seat models. It also works on wagons, which parents have reported. After Shark Tank, they added phone mounts that attach to car headrests and a Boogie Bracelet for holding small items.
The product sells on their website, Amazon (including Amazon Canada), Walmart, Buy Buy Baby, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Canadian Best Buy. Their official site lists major stores like Target, Costco, Sam’s Club, Kroger, and others as compatible locations where the carrier fits the carts. The retail price is approximately $44.95 to $49.95 on sale. Manufacturing costs remain under $10. They offer promotions like buy-one-get-one discounts and free shipping.
What Happened To The Totes Babies After Shark Tank?
After the show, Totes Babies expanded its product line. They launched new accessories like the phone and tablet headrest mounts and the Boogie Bracelet. They began selling in Walmart in the U.S. and Best Buy in Canada. Sales grew steadily, though specific numbers were not made public. A 2025 profile estimates their net worth around $605,000, based on growth trends.
Despite no formal deal, the Sharks’ interest gave them credibility. Retailers responded. Their website and social media reflect active marketing and ongoing sales. Amazon reviews show parents love the carrier, and many use it in wagons. Their last major press was in 2023, but they remain visible online. As of today, Totes Babies continues to operate, sell, and expand its catalog.
Conclusion
Totes Babies launched from a real moment of frustration and turned it into a smart innovation. Lindsey and Stan brought a simple yet effective solution to Shark Tank. They secured on-air interest and chose Lori as their partner. Though the deal may not have officially closed, the exposure and credibility helped them land national retail distribution. They expanded into Walmart and Canadian Best Buy. They added helpful accessories and built their momentum into 2024.
The brand shows how a strong product-market fit and a believable story can fuel growth. The sharks may not have followed through with funding, but the Sharks’ spotlight did. Today, Totes Babies serves parents in multiple countries. The product remains in stores and online. The duo showed that a smart idea and determined work can succeed even without a formal deal.
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.
