Reviver clothing wipes were created by Ben Kusin as the first dry deodorant for clothing in the world. Reviver is a small, handy wipe that may be used to get rid of odors from shoes, clothing, hair, and even the interior of cars that have been exposed to smoke or food aromas.
The Founder of Reviver Wipes
Reviver was started by Ben Kusin from Dallas, Texas. During an interview, Ben compares Reviver to a breath mint, except it was made for clothing. In 2014, Ben and his brother, Eric Kusin introduced the audience to their product Reviver on Shark Tank.
Ben, the company’s founder and creator, had his ‘AHA’ moment when he needed a way to get the scent of smoke out of his clothes. He visited a convenience store where gum and breath mints were available and it was at that moment when he had the idea that he should create a breath mint for his clothing.
The company was established by him in 2012, and the first Reviver packages were sold in 7-11 stores in his hometown of Dallas in January 2013. In casinos in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Reno, Caesars Entertainment also offers Reviver. A while after creating the company, his brother Eric joined him, as did their father Gary, who also happened to have some expertise in entrepreneurship and venture capital (he founded Babbages, which eventually became GameStop). Currently, Reviver is offered at all Walgreens locations, and Petco stores provide the pet version. Additionally, the product is also available on Amazon.
Reviver on Shark Tank
In Shark Tank episode 606, Ben and Eric Kusin aimed to win over the sharks with their brand that was created to freshen and deodorize clothing. When you wipe it on your clothes or hair, its patented mix leaves make everything smell clean and fresh. Each wipe fits over your fingers and can be reused 10 times.
Ben and Eric demanded $150,000 for 5% of the company when they entered the tank. They started by describing the features of the wipes and the story behind the brand. They also made a demonstration by ‘marinating’ an ordinary shirt in burgers and fries. The scent vanished instantly once it was wiped with Reviver wipes.
While the boys distributed samples, Ben shared his ‘AHA’ moment with them. They admitted that their father gave them $2 million, and that they had earned $500,000 that year.
The team shared their expected forecast of $4 million in the upcoming 12 months. Mark, one of the sharks, agreed that Reviver is a decent product, but he left without offering a deal.
Lori offers $150,000 for 15%; whereas, Robert offers $150,000 for 10%. Lori offers her contacts in order to get on QVC. In the end, the boys accept Lori’s offer and Ben promises to fulfill her contract.
When Reviver made an appearance on Shark Tank, it was valued at $3 million. As of 2022, Reviver has a $5 million net worth. Barbara, one of the investors on Shark Tank, claims that individuals who must either sink or swim in order to survive are more driven to achieve than corporate executives who rely entirely on their results to keep the wolves at bay.
Ben thinks he and his brother should be driven by their ambition to succeed in business, whilst Barbara thinks they need to be inspired to be free from their father’s heritage and succeed with their own venture. Ben has said in interviews since then that there is a huge difference between being born into a wealthy household and having parents and siblings who spoil you.
Regardless of their family history or the financial support they received from their business-minded father, there is little doubt that Ben and Eric are successful entrepreneurs. They have shown a significant dedication to growing their business globally.
Our Review of Reviver
The innovative technique used in Reviver wipes involves the use of chemicals that get rid of foul odors and refreshes you from head to toe. These wipes can be used on any area of the body and are reusable up to 10 times. With just a few swipes, Reviver clothing wipes can quickly and effectively eliminate odors from hair and clothing.
The brand was established in 2011 as a result of an investment made by Ben’s father that aided the four-year growth process. Ben appointed his brother Eric as president and chief operating officer to keep the business in the family. Early in his career, Eric had held a purchasing position at Neiman Marcus.
Due to their unique product, which shows no signs of being threatened by competing items on the market, they are experiencing year-over-year sales growth since 2018. Despite a few anxious moments in the tank, the Kusin brothers are proud of their achievement and success.
Following their deal with Lori Greiner on Shark Tank, Reviver’s fame soared. Less than a week after the show aired, they were out of stock due to the large sales volumes. The wipes market is booming right now, and Reviver is fairly well-liked. As of June 2022, Reviver brings in $5 million annually.
Pros of Reviver
- Reusable wipes
- Can be used on any part of the body
- Affordable product
Cons of Reviver
- Can be easily replaced
Are There Any Alternatives?
Ben has a patent pending, and Reviver is the only product quite like it available right now. Although the product hasn’t been tested yet, it has a lot of potential because there are merely a few clothes fresheners available in the form of spray.
Our Final Thoughts
Three years after making an appearance on Shark Tank, Reviver is still operating and sells its products on Amazon and its website. The boys’ father is recognized as an investor in the startup home renovation company Tree House, in which they have also raised $25 million.
The agreement with Lori was finalized, and the Kusin brothers frequently appeared on QVC to promote their wipes. The Kusin brothers ignored the controversy behind the “rich kids” remark that was made after the show.
The brothers made an investment in the Malibu Poke restaurant in Dallas in April 2017. About a year later, a second site in Austin opened. In addition, a live 24/7 network for gaming, streaming, e-sports, and entertainment was founded by the guys in 2019. The wipes industry is thriving with annual revenue of $5 million as of April 2022.
