Have you ever handed a friend your lip balm and immediately regretted it? That tiny moment of hesitation is exactly what sparked one of the quirkiest pitches in Shark Tank history. Balm Chicky Balm Balm took a very real, very relatable hygiene problem and turned it into a shareable lip care solution. Let’s dig into what happened, where the founders are now, and whether this little lip balm startup ever found its footing.
Balm Chicky Balm Balm Details
Balm Chicky Balm Balm is a patented dual-ended lip balm designed specifically for sharing. Each stick has two separate ends, so two people can use the same product without touching the same applicator. It’s a simple concept, but honestly, kind of brilliant.
The founders, Liz Moskow and Abby Schwalb, are both based out of Portland, Oregon. They built the product around natural lip balm ingredients and positioned it as a hygiene-friendly lip balm for health-conscious cosmetic consumers. The whole idea leans into that social, shareable experience while keeping things clean and practical.
Think of it like sharing a snack without double-dipping. Same vibe, different category.
The product was already sitting in around 60 retail stores before the Shark Tank appearance, which showed some early traction. They were pushing for broader lip balm retail distribution and had their eyes set on growing the brand into something much bigger.
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Shark Tank Episode Details
Balm Chicky Balm Balm appeared on Shark Tank Season 6 Episode 17. The episode aired in early 2015 and brought Liz and Abby into the tank looking for serious backing.
They walked in asking for $75,000 for 20% equity, putting their company valuation at $375,000. At the time, they had generated just $17,000 in sales. For a novelty cosmetic product idea with limited retail reach, that number raised more than a few eyebrows in the room.
The episode is often remembered for being a tough but honest conversation about the realities of building a personal care startup from the ground up.
The Shark Tank Pitch
Right away, the energy in the tank was mixed. The concept got laughs and genuine curiosity, but the business numbers quickly shifted the mood.
Mark Cuban criticism hit hard. He wasn’t convinced the idea had the legs to survive in a competitive lip balm market. His concern was straightforward: a cute concept doesn’t automatically translate into a scalable business.
Kevin O’Leary reaction was equally skeptical. With only $17,000 in sales and a $375,000 company valuation, he didn’t see the math working in their favor.
Lori Greiner feedback leaned into the product’s potential but she had reservations too. She understood the innovative lip care design and the consumer appeal, but the traction simply wasn’t there yet.
Robert Herjavec concerns echoed the group. He liked the founders but couldn’t get comfortable with where the business stood financially.
Barbara Corcoran opinion was warm but cautious. She appreciated the creativity and the sharable lip balm concept but didn’t feel compelled to invest at that stage.
In the end, no deal was made. Every Shark passed. It was a tough room, and the numbers told a story the enthusiasm couldn’t quite override.
Where Are They Now?
After leaving the tank without a deal, Balm Chicky Balm Balm didn’t disappear overnight. Liz and Abby continued pushing the brand forward with direct-to-consumer cosmetic sales and worked to grow their presence online and in select stores.
There were conversations and early interest around a Target retail partnership, which would have been a massive leap for the brand’s lip balm retail distribution ambitions. Whether that partnership fully materialized at scale remains unclear, but the interest alone showed the product had real commercial appeal.
As of 2026, Balm Chicky Balm Balm appears to have wound down its operations. The website is no longer active, and the product doesn’t seem to be available through major organic lip care product retailers. It’s a story that many lip balm startup pitch journeys share: a great idea, real passion, but a market that’s harder to crack than it looks.
Still, Liz and Abby built something that got national attention. That’s not nothing. In a crowded personal care startup funding landscape, getting in front of millions of viewers is a win on its own terms.
FAQ’s
What is Balm Chicky Balm Balm?
It’s a patented dual-ended lip balm designed for sharing, allowing two users to apply from opposite ends without hygiene concerns.
Who founded Balm Chicky Balm Balm?
Liz Moskow and Abby Schwalb, both from Portland, Oregon, created the brand together.
Did Balm Chicky Balm Balm get a deal on Shark Tank?
No, all five Sharks passed on the deal after concerns about low sales and a high company valuation.
How much did they ask for on Shark Tank?
They requested $75,000 for 20% equity, valuing their company at $375,000 at the time.
Is Balm Chicky Balm Balm still in business?
As of 2026, the brand no longer appears to be actively operating, with no website or major retail presence remaining.
Ryan Mitchell is a seasoned digital marketing strategist and content writer with over 8 years of experience in SEO and guest posting. He has contributed to top business publications, helping brands grow their online visibility through data-driven strategies. Ryan focuses on ethical link building and sustainable content growth practices.