'Busy Baby' Businesswoman Rejects 'Shark Tank' Deal - And Sales Still Surge

Some Minnesotans might have noticed a familiar face if they tuned in to Shark Tank on Friday (March 5).

Beth Fynbo, launched Busy Baby with her brother, Eric. It started after she spent one decade serving in the Army and another in “Corporate America” before giving birth to her son at age 40, her bio on the company’s website reads.

Here’s how she came up with the Busy Baby Mat:

“…I met some girlfriends for lunch and they brought their one-year-old daughters with. One-year-old's are notorious for throwing toys on the ground! As I watched the girls play fetch with their moms, I thought to myself, ‘There has got to be something I can buy for my son so we can enjoy a peaceful lunch!’ I couldn't find anything online that would do the job.”

Fynbo brought her business before the "sharks" on ABC’s Shark Tank, scoring an offer from Lori Greiner.

She rejected it.

But still, sales surged.

Fynbo and her family and friends spent the weekend packing thousands of orders.

"I feel like we're on the right track," she told the Star Tribune, which reported that Fynbo's sales in one weekend skyrocketed beyond what her company typically does in six weeks. "Once these mats get out to all of the people who ordered them, and they try them and love them, then hopefully they will tell their other mommy friends about them and it will just continue to keep growing and growing."

Greiner offered a deal for a 20% stake, and declined to go lower than 18% as Fynbo negotiated.

Fynbo explained to the Star Tribune that she opted to walk away — with no regrets — because Greiner expressed interest in licensing the Busy Baby Mats to another company.

Another shark, Mark Cuban, applauded Fynbo’s decision after she turned down the offer: "Good for you, Beth! I love it when an entrepreneur sticks to their guns."

Parents can find the silicone placemats online for $24.99 in six colors. It’s “perfect for keeping kids entertained. This non slip children's placemat includes two easy-attach silicone toy straps to reduce the need to chase dropped and thrown toys.”

Photo: Getty Images