Shark Tank’s DeskView Quadruples Sales Amid Pandemic Remote Working Boom
In the wake of the pandemic, DeskView, a Shark Tank-backed company, is experiencing a surge in sales. The company offers an innovative solution to the health concerns associated with prolonged sitting – a window-mounted standing desk. This unique product was brought to market by entrepreneurs Jason Grohowski and Mike Bolos, who sought to redefine the concept of a standing desk with their mountable design.
DeskView’s standing desks are built with suction cups that adhere to any window, providing users with a fantastic view while they work. The desk can also be mounted on tile, steel, and other non-porous surfaces. Constructed with aerospace-grade aluminum housing and industrial suction discs, DeskView can withstand significant weight. In fact, during his Shark Tank pitch, Bolos demonstrated the product’s strength by standing on the mounted DeskView.
Initially, Grohowski and Bolos sought $150k for a 7.5% stake in their company on Shark Tank. At that time, they had already generated $162k in sales through their website. Although they began with a direct-to-consumer sales model, their goal was to transition to a business-to-business marketing approach.
While the Shark Tank panel admired the innovation behind DeskView, not all were convinced of its potential in the corporate space. Barbra Corcoran was the first to decline the investment opportunity, expressing concerns about clutter in office spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows. Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban followed suit, citing a lack of personal interest in using the product and doubts about its suitability for corporate environments.
Despite these reservations, Kevin O’Leary saw potential in DeskView as a consumer product and offered Grohoswki and Bolos 0k for 15% equity. Lori Greiner also expressed interest but believed the $250 price point was too high for mass market appeal. She offered $150k for 33.3% equity. After some negotiation, Grohoswki and Bolos accepted O’Leary’s offer, much to the surprise of the other Sharks.
Following their Shark Tank appearance and the finalized deal with O’Leary, DeskView experienced a significant sales boost. This was largely due to the increase in work-from-home jobs during the global pandemic. The company astutely pivoted their marketing strategy, advertising DeskViews for use at home rather than in high-rise corporate offices. The product quickly sold out, and sales quadrupled.
Despite the price point being a major point of contention during the Shark Tank pitch, DeskView’s price remains in the $200 range. The company also launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund new product development, raising $64,122 with the help of 358 supporters.
DeskView has since partnered with Signature Offices, a shared office space rental company, to promote their mountable desk. The product has also been featured in major publications such as Forbes, House Beautiful, Good Morning America, and Vice.
Since their Shark Tank appearance, Grohowski and Bolos have expanded their product line. They now offer the DeskView Motis, a portable version of their mountable standing desk, and the DeskView Mini, a smaller alternative perfect for small home offices. They also offer an add-on accessory, the Two-Tier, which creates a second level for laptops, freeing up space for a keyboard, notebook, and other tools.
In addition to its original use as a workstation, DeskView is now marketed as a bookshelf, display, floating desk, and side table. The company’s products have reached over 75 countries worldwide.
Both Grohowski and Bolos have moved onto other ventures while remaining involved with DeskView. Grohowski serves as the company’s chief marketing officer and also works for technology and finance company Rho. Bolos is the chief legal officer at Thunderbird LLC, a capital markets firm, while also remaining the co-founder and inventor behind DeskView. The company also gained a new chief marketing officer in 2020, Frankie Fabre.
With the continued support of Kevin O’Leary and the ingenuity of its founders, DeskView continues to redefine the concept of the standing desk, meeting the needs of a growing work-from-home population.
