Create a Castle – Shark Tank Season 14

Create a Castle is revolutionizing the way people build sand and snow castles with its innovative, patented mold system. Featured on Shark Tank Season 14, this groundbreaking product simplifies the traditional bucket-and-shovel approach, making castle-building accessible to all ages. Founded by Kevin and Laurie Lane, the company has gained recognition in major retail chains, securing a significant market presence. With a projected $4 million in revenue for 2024, Create a Castle continues to expand its reach both nationally and internationally.

Net Worth Create a Castle

As of 2024, Create a Castle’s valuation stands at $3.5 million based on their Shark Tank pitch. With growing sales and expanding retail partnerships, the company’s net worth continues to rise. Given their projected $4 million in sales revenue for 2024, Create a Castle is solidifying its place in the toy and outdoor products market.

Key Takeaways

• Kevin and Laurie Lane pitched Create a Castle on Shark Tank, seeking $350,000 for 10% equity.
• The product features patented molds that simplify the construction of sand and snow castles.
• 2024 sales revenue is projected to exceed $4 million, with growing retail partnerships including Walmart, Target, and international markets.
• The couple secured a $350,000 deal with Kendra Scott for 20% equity.
• Net worth estimated at $3.5 million, with continued growth in the toy and outdoor products industry.

Highlights:

• Kevin and Laurie Lane pitch Create a Castle, a revolutionary sand and snow castle-building kit, seeking a $350,000 investment for 10% equity.
• The product features patented molds that open from the side, simplifying the process of building intricate castles.
• Projected sales revenue for 2024 exceeds $4 million.

Overview

About Create a Castle

Husband-and-wife duo Kevin and Laurie Lane stepped into the Shark Tank in Season 14, Episode 2, with their innovative product, Create a Castle. This unique system reinvents traditional sand and snow castle building by introducing specialized molds that make construction easier and more precise.

The idea was born in 2016 when Kevin observed a father and son struggling to build a sandcastle on a California beach. Inspired by the challenge, he developed a solution that eliminated the frustrations of conventional sandcastle-making. In 2017, he and Laurie launched Create a Castle, initially selling their products online.

Unlike traditional plastic buckets and shovels, Create a Castle kits utilize hinged molds that open from the side, eliminating the need to lift molds off the sand or snow. The kits come in three variations:

• Basic Kit: Features a 10-inch tower.
• Deluxe Kit: Includes a 10-inch and a 6-inch tower.
• Pro Kit: Contains a 10-inch and a 6-inch tower, along with a wide corbel base.

Each kit comes with essential tools, including a window-cutting tool, a multi-purpose tool, and a mesh carrying bag. Create a Castle products are available at major retailers like Walmart, as well as through the company’s website and Amazon.

Entrepreneurial Background

Kevin and Laurie Lane are seasoned entrepreneurs. In addition to Create a Castle, they run Code Hounds, a web design and production company. Laurie also works as a Disney travel consultant. Their extensive experience in business and marketing positions them well for growth, but they are seeking a Shark’s expertise to scale operations further.

Create a Castle Shark Tank Recap

Kevin and Laurie Lane entered the Shark Tank seeking a $350,000 investment for 10% equity in their business. The couple, passionate about beach vacations, found traditional sandcastle-building tools inadequate. Kevin, who enjoys crafting intricate sand structures, demonstrated how Create a Castle’s unique molds streamline the process. They showcased the product’s functionality and explained the contents of each kit.

Kendra expressed enthusiasm and inquired about competition, to which the couple confirmed there was none. Mr. Wonderful asked about patents; they own 12 international patents. Confident in their legal protection, the couple also shared plans for an indoor product line. When Mr. Wonderful labeled the product seasonal, Laurie countered by demonstrating how it works in snow. Kendra even remarked that the snow castle resembled Elsa’s castle.

Let’s Talk Numbers

• The small kit costs $2 to produce and sells for $10.
• The Pro Kit costs $9.45 to produce and sells for $50.
• 2021 sales totaled $600,000, with a projected $3 million for 2022.
• Sales spiked after partnerships with COSTCO Canada and Sam’s Club.
• 2021 profits were negative $100,000 due to inflated shipping costs caused by COVID-related supply chain disruptions. Containers that once cost $4,000-$6,000 soared to $25,000.
• In 2022, projected profits were set at $300,000, with margins at COSTCO and Sam’s ranging from 27% to 32%.

Daymond inquired about the need for investment, noting their apparent success in scaling. Laurie explained that they required capital for inventory and guidance from a Shark to navigate challenges. Additionally, they sought help with licensing. The couple faced markdowns and returns at COSTCO, impacting their margins.

Did Create a Castle Get a Deal?

• Mark Cuban opted out, stating they focused too much on sales rather than profits.
• Mr. Wonderful declined, advising them to raise prices and sell directly to consumers.
• Lori Greiner liked the product but chose not to invest.
• Kendra Scott appreciated the product’s potential, its price point, and its multichannel sales strategy. She offered $350,000 for 20% equity, promising to help expand sales channels.
• After a commercial break, Daymond John entered the negotiation, emphasizing licensing. He proposed $350,000 for 25% equity.
• Kevin and Laurie asked if Kendra and Daymond would collaborate, but both wanted different approaches. The couple countered Kendra at 15%, but she stood firm at 20%. After deliberation, Kevin and Laurie accepted Kendra’s offer.

Create a Castle Shark Tank Update

The Shark Tank Blog consistently tracks entrepreneurs featured on the show. As of the first rerun of this episode in August 2023—ten months after the original air date—there was no confirmation that the deal with Kendra closed. However, Create a Castle products are now available at Walmart, Target, Barnes & Noble, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and more. Since their Shark Tank appearance, revenue has reached nearly $2 million.

By July 2024, the company introduced a tabletop set featuring castle molds and a bucket of “indoor sand.” In addition to major retailers, their products are now available at BeachNecessities.com, FatBrainToys.com, and numerous independent beach and toy stores. Create a Castle has even expanded into Australia! With growing international reach, 2024 sales revenue is projected to exceed $4 million.

Conclusion

Create a Castle has successfully carved out a niche in the toy and outdoor products industry with its innovative design and multi-seasonal usability. Despite initial challenges with supply chain disruptions and markdowns, the company has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. With expanding retail partnerships and an international presence, the future looks promising. Whether on the beach or in the snow, Create a Castle continues to bring joy to families worldwide.