Hello friends, Let’s talk about something that almost everyone has experienced in the kitchen—chopping onions. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve done it, the burning sensation and the tears never get easier. Some people chew gum, wear swimming goggles, or even hold a piece of bread in their mouth, but none of these tricks really work.
That’s exactly the problem that Glenn Smith and his daughter Madison wanted to solve. After dealing with onion tears for years, they came up with a smart and simple solution: The Fanion—a compact, cordless countertop fan that blows away onion fumes before they reach your eyes.
Glenn and Madison took their invention to Shark Tank in hopes of getting investment. Let’s take a closer look at what The Fanion is, how their Shark Tank pitch went, and what happened afterward.
What is The Fanion?
The Fanion is a small, portable fan designed specifically to make cutting onions and other pungent vegetables tear-free. It works by blowing onion fumes away from your face while you chop, so your eyes stay dry and comfortable.
| Product Name | The Fanion |
|---|---|
| Inventors | Glenn Smith & Madison Smith |
| Function | Blows away fumes from onions, garlic, peppers |
| Launched | November 2023 |
| Retail Price | $19.99 |
| Units Sold (Pre-Shark Tank) | 1,800 |
| Inventory in Stock | 31,000 units |
| Total Sales Before Show | $28,000 |
The idea is simple, but the solution works. It helps not just with onions, but also with garlic, jalapeños, and anything else that causes eye irritation while cooking.
The Fanion on Shark Tank
Glenn and Madison appeared on Shark Tank asking for $90,000 in exchange for 15% equity, valuing their business at $600,000. Their pitch was funny, heartfelt, and very relatable.
Glenn even wore yard goggles as a joke to show how ridiculous other onion-cutting hacks can be. The Sharks laughed, and their story touched everyone. But when the financial details came out, things got serious quickly.
Shark Tank Offers & Final Outcome
Here’s a quick breakdown of how each Shark responded to The Fanion pitch:
| Shark | Offer | Counter | Accepted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Lubetzky | Out | N/A | ❌ No |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | ❌ No |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | ❌ No |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | ❌ No |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | ❌ No |
Unfortunately, none of the Sharks made a deal. While they loved the father-daughter bond and the product’s charm, they had some serious concerns.
Why the Sharks Passed on The Fanion
The Fanion faced several challenges that made the Sharks hesitant to invest:
-
Too Much Inventory
They had 31,000 units sitting in inventory, worth $250,000, but had only sold 1,800 units in 8 months. That slow rate meant it could take years to sell through. -
High Customer Acquisition Cost
It cost $10 to get each customer, while the product sold for $20. That left very little room for profit, especially after production and shipping costs. -
Small Market Size
Sharks like Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary felt that the market for an onion-fume fan was too limited. Not enough people would pay for such a specific gadget. -
Financial Risk
Glenn and Madison used personal savings and even borrowed against their home equity to fund inventory. This made the Sharks nervous about the financial future of the business.
The Fanion Net Worth Update 2025
Even though they didn’t get a deal, The Fanion continued to gain attention after the episode aired. Their website saw more traffic, and more people discovered the product.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Original Valuation | $600,000 |
| Units Sold (Post-show) | Increased |
| Growth Rate (Estimated) | 10% per year |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $798,600 |
The exposure from Shark Tank helped boost sales temporarily, even without an investor on board.
Product Availability
The Fanion is still available for purchase directly from their official website. It’s priced at $19.99, making it an affordable and useful kitchen tool.
| Where to Buy | The Fanion official website |
|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 |
| Function | Blows away fumes from strong-smelling veggies |
| Best For | Onion, garlic, chili, and pepper cutting |
This product is perfect for anyone who loves cooking but hates crying while doing it.
What Happened After Shark Tank?
After Shark Tank, Glenn and Madison didn’t give up. They continued running the business and focused on selling the remaining inventory. They may have lowered the price to make sales move faster and recover their investment.
Their website stayed active, and they continued to promote The Fanion through word-of-mouth and social media. Even though it didn’t become a household name, The Fanion found a place as a niche kitchen gadget with a loyal following.
Conclusion
Glenn and Madison’s Shark Tank journey was full of emotion, creativity, and hard lessons. Their invention solved a real problem, and their presentation won hearts. But in business, even great products can struggle if the financial planning isn’t right.
They didn’t get a Shark deal, but they walked away with something even more valuable: national exposure, customer support, and lessons they’ll carry forward.
For anyone tired of onion tears, The Fanion offers a real solution—small, cordless, and effective. And while it didn’t earn Shark backing, it’s a reminder that great ideas often begin in the kitchen, with a little bit of love and a lot of determination.