The Drain Strain is a drain stopper for your bathroom sink that prevents clogs using a built-in detachable basket. The basket prevents anything that’s not water from going down the drain, something you’ll appreciate if you’ve ever dropped an earring in the sink. The Drain Strain was created by seasoned entrepreneur Naushad Ali, who saw the need for the product after shelling out $150 to have a plumber remove the clumps of hair that were persistently clogging his bathroom sink. We asked him a few questions about his product and what it was like to be on Shark Tank.
- What is the Drain Strain?
- The Drain Strain is a patented drain stopper for your bathroom sink that prevents your sink from clogging and your valuables from getting lost down the drain. It comes in three colors: Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze.
- The Drain Strain is a patented drain stopper for your bathroom sink that prevents your sink from clogging and your valuables from getting lost down the drain. It comes in three colors: Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Oil Rubbed Bronze.
- What makes the Drain Strain different from competitors?
- What makes the Drain Strain different is a basket that can be easily detached, replaced and reattached from the stem of the product. The basket catches anything from hair to jewelry, safeguarding your valuables while collecting any unwanted things from clogging your drain. It’s also very easy to install and the process takes only 60 seconds.
- How did you come up with the idea?
- When my wife and daughter’s hair clogged our bathroom sink drain in October 2012, I had to hire a plumber to fix the problem. After seeing the bill, I figured there was a cheaper alternative than hiring a plumber, a safer options than using chemicals, and a device that could be easily installed.
- Based on what I was looking for online, there didn’t seem a product available that was simple enough that it could be adopted by the masses. I then started making ideas in my head, hand drew ideas, and then basically I tried to validate the idea and the problem. I wanted to make the “iPod” of drain stoppers: a disruptive product that served an important need by offering a simple solution to a dirty problem. Who wants to deal with clogged drains anyways? Not me.
- Once I had some ideas, I went to several design engineering firms to hear their thoughts on the idea and finally met with one in Chicago. I filed for a patent in January 2013, right when I started the design process for optimal design.
- It took such a long time to perfect the design that the product was actually still in prototype-phase when I appeared on Shark Tank in February 2015.
- What was your Shark Tank experience like?
- It was beyond memorable. I had gone into the show asking for $110,000 for 15% of the business. Mr. Wonderful countered with $110,000 for 20% of the business until Robert Herjavec proposed $110,000 for 10% of the business. I was quite pleasantly surprised by that offer so I took it!
- It was an interesting experience overall because, like I mentioned, I was one of the only companies that was still in its prototype stage when I appeared on the show. I didn’t actually have the product available for sale until November 2015, about 9 months after I appeared on the show.
- What has happened since appearing on Shark Tank? Any exciting news to share?
- Since appearing on the show, we’ve been able to secure deals with having the Drain Strain in Home Depot and Lowe’s Home Improvement. By August 1 we will have the Drain Strain in 2000 Home Depot and 500 Lowe’s stores by September 1.
- The Chrome Drain Strain Drain Stopper is also now available for sale on Amazon Prime and our other two colors will be available on Amazon Prime in July.
- We sell all three-colored products and our replacement baskets on our website now as well!
- Part of our plan moving forward is to provide our product in hotels, apartments, and rental properties across the country. We currently have the product being used by several hotels including Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, La Quinta Inn, and Hampton Inn & Suites!
- We’re also in the developmental stages of a bathroom tub and shower version of the Drain Strain. Lots of exciting things!
drainstrain.comBuy from Amazon
Shark Tank Air Date: 2/3/2015 – Season 6 – Episode 17