Lani Lazzari was only 11 years old when she developed Simple Sugars, handmade all-natural skincare products especially formulated for sensitive skin. The body, facial and foot scrubs cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize in one easy step.
Lani’s mother decided that year that Lani and her brothers would make gifts to give to family and friends for Christmas. Since Lani had suffered from eczema throughout her whole life, she wanted to create a chemical-free product that would soothe her sensitive skin. She made a scrub from sugar, vanilla and almond oil. Everyone who received her gift loved it, and they wanted more. As word spread, more and more people were requesting the scrub. She had a hobby that could make her a little money. Until she was going into her junior year of high school. By that time, her hobby had grown into a legitimate e-commerce business. To be able to focus on the business, she opted for independent study rather than attending classes.
Along the way, Lani expanded her line, always with natural products: extracts and oils, such as emu, apricot, grape seed, jojoba, to cleanse and gently exfoliate; scents, such as lavender, hazelnut, eucalyptus, for aromatherapy.
Lani barely knew what Shark Tank was when a producer contacted her. She read everything she could find about the show and realized what a great opportunity it would be. She sent in an application and expected nothing.
But there she was, 18 years old, three months out of high school, and facing the sharks.
Mark Cuban, whose son has eczema, was interested immediately, and he and Lani became partners.
Where Is Simple Sugars Now?
Before Shark Tank, Simple Sugars had a lifetime total of $55,000 in sales. In the first 24 hours after the episode aired, sales were $200,000. Lani needed to hire 22 people that first week. In six weeks, sales hit the $1 million mark. Lani had a goal of making Simple Sugars a $30 million company. She reached the goal sooner than she had expected.
Lani continues to grow her business, most recently with a skincare line for men. Mark was instrumental in getting the products into 700 retail locations and extending the company’s reach globally by implementing international shipping.
