Here's What Went Down With CreaClip For Home Hair Cuts After Shark Tank

After repeatedly fixing the bad haircuts people had given themselves, celebrity hairstylist Mai Lieu decided it was time to get inventive. "So many times, my clients would cut their own hair and cut it uneven and then they come to me to fix it. So I knew I had to create a product so they can do this at home and get a perfect cut each time," she explained during an HSN appearance. The entrepreneur also had her own experience with questionable locks, as her family couldn't afford for her to get professional cuts when she was a child. So, in 2006, she founded CreaProducts. The umbrella company began with her most popular product, the CreaClip, a clip that gathers hair and holds it in place, allowing you to give yourself a haircut at home. Two years later, she got her invention on HSN, where she sold 5,000 clips in just 13 minutes.

But it was a whole decade after CreaProducts was founded that "Shark Tank" came calling. Lieu already had a big following on social media, having created her own hair-cutting and styling tutorials using her products. One of those videos was watched by a "Shark Tank" producer, who invited her to pitch on the ABC show. Lieu appeared on Season 7 in 2016, where she got the entrepreneurs' attention by cutting her own hair in front of them — without a mirror!

When Mai Lieu took her chance on "Shark Tank," she pitched a 10% stake in CreaProducts for $200,000. She spotlighted her main product, the CreaClip, and impressed the businesspeople via a live demonstration of the small and large versions. Lieu also offered a peek at her new products, which included a nail painting tool and an eye makeup accessory to stop eyeshadow fallout and mascara smudges.

The Sharks' eyes lit up when Lieu revealed she'd sold 550,000 CreaClips in 12 months, and they were impressed by her social media following, too. The group had a touching moment when Lieu shared that her determination came from her parents. She explained they'd worked incredibly hard to provide for her after immigrating to the U.S. to escape the Vietnam War, a sentiment Robert Herjavec (whose family also sought asylum in North America) could relate to. "You are going to succeed," he told her. "There is no doubt in my mind somebody with that heavier burden and pressure to be successful is going to make it." But that didn't mean he'd invest. Herjavec didn't think he was suited to her brand, nor did Mark Cuban or Kevin O'Leary.

But, thanks to Lieu's impressive margins and touching story, Lori Greiner was convinced. She offered to team up with Barbara Corcoran, but Corcoran, surprisingly, didn't want to be involved. "I think this product doesn't have room for an investor," she said, shocking Lieu. Greiner was still interested, though — only she wanted a 25% stake (more than double what Lieu initially offered). After some back and forth, the two settled on 22.5%, with Lieu admitting Greiner was the Shark she'd hoped to team up with.

CreaProducts benefitted from the "Shark Tank" effect, in which companies see sales numbers surge after its episode airs. "[CreaProducts] has grown so much," Mai Lieu told Christopher Bustamante during an Instagram interview. "Just being on the show alone ... has [given] my brand so much recognition, so much credibility. People are more willing to purchase my product," she added. Lieu confirmed CreaProducts saw a flurry of new orders after she appeared on ABC and said people often recognized her from the show, as her pitch was re-posted online and watched 27 million times.

It's no surprise sales soared with shopping channel queen Lori Greiner on board, either. Not too long after the episode aired, just like fellow "Shark Tank" hair brand The Sleep Styler, CreaProducts landed a spot on QVC — and not just in the U.S. In 2018, Mai Lieu headed across the pond to promote the CreaClip on QVC U.K., where the hugely popular product sold out.

Greiner and Lieu also made use of other online shopping outlets to get her items to the masses, including Amazon. The company sells a range of products and bundles via the giant retailer, including the original CreaClip Set Hair Cutting Tool and the CreaClip Complete Package (which also includes a comb, scissors, cape, clips, and a bag).

Though most "Shark Tank" businesses see their biggest sales boost immediately after their episode goes out, CreaProducts saw another massive bump in sales a few years later. When Covid-19 restrictions took hold in 2020, many salons around the world closed their doors, forcing people to cut their tresses themselves. Enter CreaClip. Sales of the tool went wild, as CreaProducts confirmed on its website the flagship product saw a 400% sales surge.

As the world scrambled to get their hands on a CreaClip, Mai Lieu took an approach similar to "Shark Tank"'s Terra-Core and continued to promote its at-home benefits on social media. She shared various tutorials on Instagram, including one which saw her explain the different techniques. "While at home why not trim your haircuts!" she captioned the video.

CreaClip is still selling at the time of writing, and CreaProducts has expanded its range beyond the products Lieu promoted on "Shark Tank." Customers can also get their hands on the CreaClip Hair Cutting Cape, CreaClip Coconut Leave-In Conditioner Spray, and CreaClip Professional Hair Stylist Scissors. 

Though Mai Lieu's focus is still on CreaProducts, she's also expanded her horizons to help others who are looking to emulate her success. Lieu is the CEO, founder, and president of Innov8 and also works as a motivational speaker. The star often gives business talks around Hawaii, including imparting her wisdom at business start-up events. She's also a successful author and shared her career tips in her book, "Take the Next Step: Secrets to Creating Success and Manifesting Your Dreams."

But Lieu hasn't forgotten her "Shark Tank" roots and doesn't appear to have any plans to step away from her beloved CreaClip anytime soon. She regularly attends the show's reunion events and was on hand for the 2024 gathering, where she explained why she's still so invested in her invention. "[My] friend was going to use [the CreaClip] on their mother who's in the nursing home that can't go to the salon," she told The Cut Buddy. "That touches me, and it makes me keep doing what I'm doing because I'm helping people through my products. So, for me, that's the reason why I keep doing what I'm doing," she added.