Circadian Optics net worth ranges between $7-9 million, placing it among the most successful light therapy lamp companies in the market. At the time founder Amber Leong pitched on Shark Tank, she valued her company at $7.5 million and asked for a $750,000 investment to exchange 10% equity. The business has grown remarkably since then. Lifetime sales have reached $7.4 million, with $4 million generated last year alone.
The sort of thing I love about the Circadian Optics Shark Tank story is how the show reshaped the company's path right away. The light therapy brand saw its website traffic, sales, and social media presence soar after the episode aired.
The company now projects $5.6 million in sales with $1.3 million in profit, thanks to an annual growth rate of 20%. Thrasio, a company that buys Amazon businesses, acquired Circadian Optics in 2021. This piece shows how a light therapy company turned its Shark Tank pitch into a multimillion-dollar soaring win.
Circadian Optics Net Worth
Circadian Optics' value has changed substantially over time. Amber Leong stepped into Shark Tank with a $7.5 million company valuation, asking for $750,000 in exchange for 10% equity. The company's value would soon shift based on the deal she ended up taking.
How the Shark Tank deal affected valuation
Leong's Season 11 appearance left the Sharks amazed by her sales numbers – $7.4 million in total sales with $4 million coming from 2018 alone. She projected $5.6 million in sales for 2019 with profits reaching $1.3 million.
The deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner changed the company's value dramatically. Leong took $750,000 for 20% equity and got an extra $50,000 for her parents. This new deal cut the company's value to about $3.75 million.
The handshake deal shown on TV didn't materialize fully. Many sources say the deal never closed. Neither Cuban's nor Greiner's websites list Circadian Optics as one of their Shark Tank investments, which suggests the deal fell apart during due diligence.
Estimated net worth before and after the show
Before Shark Tank, people knew Circadian Optics as a "$5 million company that sells only online". The show's exposure proved to be a great way to boost visibility.
The TV appearance gave the company a big boost. Different sources put Circadian Optics' current worth between $7-9 million. Based on 2019's projected sales of $5.6 million, one source thinks the company might be worth around $13 million.
Current revenue and growth rate
Circadian Optics pulls in about $4-5 million yearly. The company managed to keep growing at roughly 20% each year.
A big change came in October 2020 when Thrasio bought Circadian Optics. Thrasio buys successful Amazon businesses that make between $1 million and $100 million annually, proving Circadian Optics' success in the market.
Amber Leong's Experience on Shark Tank
Circadian Optics' impressive net worth tells a remarkable story of its founder, Amber Leong. Her experience from Malaysia to Shark Tank shows the grit and determination that ended up leading to her company's soaring win.
Early life and move to the U.S.
Amber Leong spent her childhood in a small Malaysian town that offered few chances to succeed. Her parents made an incredible sacrifice when she turned 20. They withdrew their retirement savings of $20,000 to send her to college in the United States.
This bold decision meant giving up their entire life savings and showed their deep faith in their daughter's future. Leong arrived in Minnesota ready to build a new life in America. She worked hard and earned both her undergraduate and MBA degrees.
Health struggles and inspiration for Circadian Optics
Life took an unexpected turn soon after Leong moved to Minnesota. At just 22, doctors diagnosed her with Toxic Shock Syndrome, a rare but dangerous bacterial infection. The medical team gave her a 50% chance to live. She spent a week in the ICU and recovered, but Minnesota's long, dark winters left her struggling with seasonal affective disorder.
Her personal experience with light therapy sparked a business idea. She noticed that existing light therapy products looked too clinical and didn't work well for daily use.
Original product development and challenges
Leong and her husband Kin Mun Chew started Circadian Optics in 2016 with $140,000 from their savings. They created sleek, modern products that went together with home decor while providing effective light therapy, unlike the hospital-style traditional lamps. The couple faced early setbacks with manufacturing and doubt about their new design approach. The market had many old companies that dominated sales. Their determination paid off when first-year sales hit $878,000—an impressive number that set them up for their Shark Tank appearance.
Inside the Shark Tank Pitch
Amber Leong stepped into the Shark Tank studio during October 2019. She asked for $750,000 for a 10% stake in her company, which valued the business at $7.5 million. Her pitch would become one of the show's most memorable episodes.
Amber's pitch and product demonstration
Leong's warm yellow dress matched her confident presentation of stylish light therapy lamps that mimicked natural sunlight. These sleek devices helped regulate the body's circadian rhythm, boosted energy levels, and improved mood.
"Our Circadian Optics lamps are like having a mini sun right on your desk," she told the Sharks. Her presentation showed how traditional light therapy lamps looked bulky and unattractive, while her products offered a modern, office-appropriate alternative.
Sharks' reactions and questions
The panel couldn't hide their impression of Leong's sales figures—$7.4 million in lifetime sales with $4 million generated in 2018 alone. Her 70% profit margin and projected $5.6 million in sales for 2019 stood out even more. Leong's immigrant story touched the panel deeply, and Kevin O'Leary—known for his tough demeanor—had tears in his eyes. "One of the best presentations," O'Leary remarked.
Final deal with Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban
The Sharks split into two teams to make competing offers. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner joined forces to offer $750,000 for 20% equity. "You represent everything great about entrepreneurship and the American dream. You are freedom," Cuban told Leong.
Other offers and negotiations
Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O'Leary matched with similar terms. Cuban and Greiner's team sweetened their deal by adding $50,000 for Leong's parents who had used their retirement savings to send her to America.
This thoughtful gesture won her over. "I know I should negotiate and be a good business partner," Leong admitted, "But I'm here for Lori and Mark. You have a deal".
What Happened After Shark Tank
Circadian Optics' appearance on Shark Tank became a turning point that transformed the company's growth and market presence.
Sales boom and online success
The televised pitch sparked an instant sales explosion. The website couldn't handle the traffic surge and products flew off the shelves. The company now pulls in about $4 million yearly as of 2022. Their lamps have collected more than 10,000 five-star reviews online. The pandemic brought unexpected benefits – people stayed indoors more, which meant they just needed more light therapy products.
Retail expansion and acquisition by Thrasio
Thrasio, a company that buys successful Amazon businesses, acquired Circadian Optics in 2021. They usually look for brands making between $1 million and $100 million yearly. The product line then made its way into Walmart stores. These days, the original website sends customers straight to Amazon, while their social media has been quiet since January 2021.
Product line growth and customer reviews
The company added new lamp designs and sizes after the acquisition. Their Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp stands out with over 6,000 ratings and an impressive 4.6/5-star average. Customers say the lamps help boost their mood, energy, and sleep quality.
Amber Leong's ventures after Circadian Optics
Leong moved on from Circadian Optics in 2021 and co-founded G-Works Venture Studio at General Mills in 2022. She launched Nocturne, creating solar-powered outdoor lamps with Bluetooth speakers. Her entrepreneurial journey continued as she co-founded Bask Lamp, which makes rechargeable cordless lanterns.
Conclusion
Circadian Optics shows how a simple yet innovative idea can reshape the scene of a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Starting with a $140,000 personal investment, the business grew to $7-9 million by spotting market gaps and creating solutions that made people's lives better.
The handshake deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner didn't work out after the show, but the Shark Tank exposure took the brand to new heights. Sales shot up, especially when people stayed indoors during the pandemic. This created an unexpected rush for their stylish light therapy products.
Amber Leong's personal story makes this success even more meaningful. She came from Malaysia to America, fought a life-threatening illness, and built a thriving business that picked up on the classic immigrant success story. Her success in facing challenges appeals to entrepreneurs everywhere.
The company reached another milestone with Thrasio's acquisition in 2021. The move into retail stores like Walmart helped bring light therapy to regular shoppers, making these health-conscious products available to everyone.
Leong keeps pushing forward with new projects. She works at G-Works Venture Studio and has launched companies like Nocturne and Bask Lamp. Her entrepreneurial spirit proves that one success leads to another.
The Circadian Optics story explains how personal experience and market chances can create amazing results. What started as a home-based startup to help with seasonal affective disorder turned into a multimillion-dollar success. The light therapy lamps that helped one person through dark Minnesota winters now brighten thousands of lives across the country.
FAQs
Q1. What was the outcome for Circadian Optics after appearing on Shark Tank?
Following their Shark Tank appearance, Circadian Optics experienced a significant sales boom and increased online success. The company's annual revenue grew to approximately $4-5 million, and they expanded into retail stores like Walmart. In 2021, Circadian Optics was acquired by Thrasio, a company specializing in purchasing successful Amazon businesses.
Q2. Who invested in Circadian Optics on Shark Tank?
Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner offered to invest $750,000 for a 20% stake in Circadian Optics, plus an additional $50,000 for the founder's parents. However, it's worth noting that despite the on-air agreement, reports suggest the deal may not have closed after the show.
Q3. How has Circadian Optics' product line evolved since Shark Tank?
Since appearing on Shark Tank, Circadian Optics has diversified its lamp designs and sizes. Their products have garnered over 10,000 five-star reviews online, with many users reporting improved mood, energy levels, and sleep patterns. The Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp alone has over 6,000 ratings with an impressive 4.6/5-star average.
Q4. What inspired the creation of Circadian Optics?
The inspiration for Circadian Optics came from founder Amber Leong's personal experience with seasonal affective disorder due to Minnesota's long, dark winters. She noticed that existing light therapy products were clinical, unattractive, and impractical for everyday use, which led her to design sleek, modern light therapy lamps that complement home decor.
Q5. What is Circadian Optics' current estimated net worth?
While exact figures may vary, most estimates place Circadian Optics' current net worth between $7-9 million. The company generates around $4-5 million in annual revenue and has maintained a healthy estimated growth rate of approximately 20% yearly.
