Nick and Penelope LaRosa, a husband-and-wife team, created Instant Lifts-a beauty innovation designed to smooth out wrinkles and cellulite using a simple, skin-safe adhesive tape.
Their product targeted anyone seeking a quick, non-surgical lift for sagging skin, offering a solution that worked in minutes and lasted all day. Confident in their invention and its growing popularity, the LaRosas brought Instant Lifts to Shark Tank Season 3, hoping to secure investment and guidance to take their business to the next level.
| Company Name | Instant Lifts | |
| Founder/Co-Founder | Nick and Penelope LaRosa | |
| Founded | 2011 | |
| Product | Adhesive tape for smoothing wrinkles and cellulite | |
| Asked For | $100,000 for 25% equity | |
| Final Deal | No Deal | |
| Shark | No Shark | |
| Episode | S3 E9 | |
| Air Date | March 16, 2012 | |
| Business Status | Out of Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | California, United States | |
| Annual (Revenue) | Over $1 million | |
| Worth / Valuation | $400,000 | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
Business Pitch Episode Recap
Nick and Penelope entered the Tank seeking $100,000 for 25% equity, valuing their company at $400,000. They demonstrated Instant Lifts by applying the tape to smooth Penelope’s arm, drawing laughs as Daymond John dubbed the condition “Bingo Wings.” The duo shared that they had achieved $75,000 in sales over just five months-a promising start for a new beauty product.
However, the sharks had concerns. Daymond John bowed out quickly. Mark Cuban worried that the LaRosas were juggling too many products and wouldn’t focus solely on Instant Lifts, so he passed.
Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec found the pitch confusing and also declined. Barbara Corcoran liked the product but believed the valuation was too high for the business’s current stage, so she opted out as well. With no offers on the table, Nick and Penelope left the Tank without a deal.
Sharks Offers List
| Sharks | Offers |
|---|---|
| Daymond John | No Offer |
| Mark Cuban | No Offer |
| Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
| Robert Herjavec | No Offer |
| Barbara Corcoran | No Offer |
| Founder’s Counter | No Counter |
| Final Deals | No Deal |
Instant Lifts Shark Tank Update
Despite leaving Shark Tank empty-handed, Nick and Penelope didn’t let that slow them down. They rebranded the business as “Skinnies” and expanded the product line to address other trouble spots like back fat, thigh flab, tummy flab, and muffin tops.
The product gained traction, eventually selling over one million units by 2021 and reaching annual revenues of $6 million by 2022. Skinnies are now available in hundreds of small stores, pharmacies, boutiques, and on Amazon, with a growing international presence.
The company continues to thrive, proving that a Shark Tank deal isn’t the only path to success.
What Is Instant Lifts Net Worth?
At the time of their Shark Tank appearance, Instant Lifts was worth $400,000, based on the founders’ ask of $100,000 for 25% equity. Since then, the company’s net worth has soared alongside its revenue growth.
By 2023, Skinnies (formerly Instant Lifts) reached an estimated net worth of $6 million, reflecting its strong sales, expanded product line, and continued demand in the beauty market.
