Johnson Bailey, a business major at Oklahoma State University, pitched The Original Man Candle on Shark Tank in 2011. He passed out samples of the candles including those smelling like bacon, popcorn, pot roast, new car, and yes, farts. Bailey was asking for $50,000 for 25 percent equity. He didn’t get an investment on the show but he did afterwards.
After watching the episode, Nathan Thornberry, a 33-year-old entrepreneur in Carmel, Indiana, contacted Bailey and invested $65,000 in The Original Man Candle for 35 percent equity. According to an Indy Star article, the partnership turned sour. Thornberry filed a breach of contract lawsuit again Bailey. Thornberry won a $71,647 judgment in court but couldn’t collect as Bailey had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Thornberry continues to sell The Original Man Candles in gift shops and online for $12 (plus $5 shipping).
[Related: 27 Favorite ‘Shark Tank’ Products at Amazon — New List]
