Grease Monkey Wipes Update | Shark Tank Season 1
Grease Monkey Wipes made waves on Shark Tank Season 1 with innovative portable cleaning wipes to tackle tough grease and grime.
The product was founded by Tim Stansbury and Erin Whalen and inspired by a real-life struggle during a long bike ride.
Their appearance on the show led to a successful deal with two Sharks, but where is the company today?
In this Grease Monkey Wipes Shark Tank update, we’ll cover:
- The Shark Tank pitch: Founders, product details, funding ask, and deal outcome.
- Each Shark’s response: Who invested and passed (and why).
- Company growth after the show: Revenue milestones, retail expansion, and acquisition.
- Lessons learned: What we can take away from Grease Monkey Wipes’ journey.
Grease Monkey Wipes on Shark Tank
The Pitch
- Entrepreneurs: Tim Stansbury & Erin Whalen
- Product: Heavy-duty, portable cleaning wipes for grease and grime
- Ask: $40,000 for 40% equity
- Deal: $40,000 for 40% equity from Robert Herjavec & Barbara Corcoran
Tim and Erin presented Grease Monkey Wipes to the Sharks, explaining how their experience led to the product’s creation.
The wipes, made with natural ingredients, were designed to quickly and effectively remove grease from hands, making them ideal for mechanics, cyclists, and DIYers.
Their sales numbers at the time were modest—7,600 units sold for $7,400 in revenue.
However, they had a strong retail pitch success rate, with 75% of retailers picking up the product and 40% reordering.
Shark Reactions & Deal Outcome
| Shark | Response | Reason |
| Kevin O’Leary | No offer | Concerned about lack of patent and scalability |
| Kevin Harrington | No offer | Felt the product wasn’t unique enough |
| Daymond John | No offer | Liked the branding but didn’t see it as a fit |
| Barbara Corcoran | Initially passed, but later invested | Didn’t want to get “her hands dirty” but changed her mind |
| Robert Herjavec | Invested | Impressed by the pitch and potential |
Despite initial skepticism from some Sharks, Robert and Barbara saw the potential in Grease Monkey Wipes and jointly offered $40,000 for 40% equity.
Tim and Erin accepted, walking away with a deal.
Grease Monkey Wipes After Shark Tank
Following their Shark Tank appearance, Tim and Erin quickly capitalized on their newfound exposure.
Their deal with Robert and Barbara closed successfully, allowing them to scale operations.
Revenue Growth & Milestones
| Year | Revenue Milestone |
| 2010 | Sales increased significantly after Shark Tank exposure |
| 2012 | Grease Monkey Wipes expanded into more retail locations |
| 2014 | Company acquired by Beaumont Products |
Retail Expansion & Distribution Deals
| Retailer/Platform | Expansion Details |
| Online Retail | Available on Amazon and other e-commerce platforms |
| Specialty Stores | Sold in bike shops and automotive retailers |
| Major Retail Chains | Expanded to larger retail chains before acquisition |
Company Acquisition
In 2014, Tim Stansbury bought out his co-founder Erin Whalen and the Sharks.
Shortly after, he sold Grease Monkey Wipes to Beaumont Products, which specializes in environmentally friendly cleaning solutions.
The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but this marked the end of Tim’s direct involvement with the brand.
After selling the company, Tim attempted a new venture, Cat5 Elite, a cycling-themed clothing brand.
However, it didn’t gain traction, and he eventually transitioned into a corporate career at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Currently, Grease Monkey Wipes is still being sold under Beaumont Products, maintaining its legacy as a go-to cleaning solution for grease and grime.
Key Factors Behind Grease Monkey Wipes’ Success
- Effective Branding: The name and concept were simple, memorable, and appealing to target consumers.
- Shark Tank Boost: The national exposure significantly increased brand recognition and sales.
- Retail Expansion: Getting into more stores helped increase visibility and sales.
- Acquisition by Beaumont: Being acquired by an established company ensured long-term product survival.
Final Thoughts
The Grease Monkey Wipes Shark Tank journey is an excellent example of how even a small, niche product can succeed with the proper exposure and strategic decisions.
While Tim eventually moved on, the product still exists under new ownership, proving that a great idea, solid branding, and persistence can lead to a lasting impact.
Would you consider trying Grease Monkey Wipes? Let us know in the comments!
