Here's What Went Down With Mikki Bey Eyelash Extensions After Shark Tank

Mikki Bey Eyelash Extensions fluttered in front of the "Shark Tank" entrepreneurs in 2015 during Season 7, and founder Mikki Bey got her big break in a unique way. She revealed on the "Girl Stop Playin'" podcast in 2022 that she owned a salon on the same street as the "Shark Tank" Los Angeles studio, where she provided lash extension services. After one of the show's producers came in for a lash appointment, Bey expressed her interest in getting in front of the Sharks. At the time, the entrepreneur was looking to expand her company by hiring new staff and patent her extension process.

Things moved quickly from there. Within three days of that conversation, Bey was on a formal call about appearing on the show. And, before she knew it, she'd completed a thorough background check and started working on her pitch. But, sadly, things didn't exactly go to plan when the cameras started rolling — and it all ended in tears.

Mikki Bey pitched her Mikki Bey Eyelash Extension plans to Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O'Leary, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec. But, unlike when fellow lash company OpulenceMD Beauty appeared on Season 12, the sharks weren't sold on Bey's concept. Lash extensions have become mainstream, but, back in 2015, they weren't so common. So Bey, who was looking to exchange 20% equity for a $300,000 investment, began by demonstrating the process on Mark Cuban while explaining what lash extensions actually are.

Understandably, the Sharks were more interested in the figures than they were Cuban's new lashes. Bey revealed she'd raked up $130,000 in sales, though O'Leary wasn't sold on her valuation. He suggested she license her concept, but made it clear he wouldn't invest to make it happen. Corcoran also declared herself out because she wasn't looking to put money into a service — something Greiner agreed with. Herjavec kept his money in his pocket, too. He didn't think the business could grow big enough for him to invest, while Cuban took himself out of the running after being unimpressed by Bey's business model. Things took an extra sour turn in the Tank after Bey shed a tear. Corcoran scolded her fellow entrepreneur, suggesting she was showing weakness by getting emotional in front of them.

Speaking on the "Girl Stop Playin'" podcast, Mikki Bey admitted she knew she wouldn't leave the Tank with a deal. "The money didn't match. In order to get the deal, your valuation has to be equal to what you're asking for," she explained, noting she purposefully went for the big bucks. Bey also shared she believed she didn't get an investment because she pitched a service over a tangible product. But, even though she didn't leave with any cash, Bey doesn't hold a grudge against "Shark Tank" or its Sharks. "It was an awesome experience and I'm so proud that my name is next to 'Shark Tank'... I think that is absolutely amazing. The brand is phenomenal," she said. 

Not everything she experienced as a result of the show was quite so positive, though. Bey got some negative reactions after the episode aired and struggled with the public reaction to her pitch. She also divulged that she found it tough becoming a public figure overnight. But Bey wasn't afraid to defend herself. She confidently hit back at Barbara Corcoran's criticism of her tears in an empowering piece for HuffPost, published the week after the episode aired. "Crying does not discredit all of a woman's potential and accomplishments," Bey wrote. "I welled up because I felt my life was on the line." And she had a point, because a good cry actually has a number of benefits.

Despite seeming so invested in her salon expansion plans on "Shark Tank," Mikki Bey's heart just wasn't in the lash extension game. Six months after she stood in front of the entrepreneurs, she closed her salon. But that wasn't all down to not getting an investment. She said on the "Girl Stop Playin'" podcast that she knew providing lash extensions wasn't her long-term goal and had always intended to shutter the salon. "I was in school for my MBA. I was six months from graduating," she explained. The entrepreneur was still able to reap the rewards from the show for a while after her episode aired though, even though her salon was no more. "My brand is still recognized and highly regarded in the beauty industry due to the notoriety I achieved from 'Shark Tank,'" she admitted to CNBC in 2018.

Not landing a deal in the Tank led Bey to some big things in both her personal life and professional life, too. She told "Girl Stop Playin'" that her "Shark Tank" experience inspired her to start manifesting, which led her to a career as a manifestation coach. Bey didn't see not getting an investment as a failure, noting, "It has really led me to every good thing in my life." 

Since appearing on "Shark Tank," Mikki Bey has seen a string of successes outside of the lash extension game. The entrepreneur explained to "Girl Stop Playin'" that she upped sticks and moved from Los Angeles to Houston post-show, and she'd gotten engaged and became a mom. Bey also embarked on a new career and began working in pharmaceuticals in 2021. According to Bey's LinkedIn, she progressed to become the U.S. vice president and general manager of Scientis over a three year period, before leaving that role in July 2024 to turn her attention full-time to her own business.

At the time of writing, Bey's focus seems to be firmly on Mikki Bey Consulting, which she founded in 2016. Under her business umbrella, the entrepreneur works as a manifestation life coach, keynote speaker, and podcast host. In August 2024, Bey released her e-book, "Relaxed and Regulated," which aims to help people regulate their emotions and live a more balanced life. The businesswoman also offers masterclasses for those looking to learn from her impressive career and life lessons.