Here's What Went Down With Baubles + Soles After Shark Tank
Most people with children will know how difficult it can be to find them the perfect pair of shoes. Not only can it be super tough to find a pair they actually like, but it can then be just as tough to get them to actually wear them. Well, married couple Duc Nguyen and Lisa Nguyen were determined to fix that problem. The two invented Baubles + Soles, a children's and women's shoe business that also manufactured interchangeable accessories (known as baubles) which could be added to the shoe and changed up depending on the occasion.
The idea came about after Lisa and Duc's daughter was gifted a pair of shoes that featured a heart when she was a baby. While appearing on "Shark Tank," Lisa recalled that back in 2016, she wanted to be able to take the heart off as a keepsake once her daughter outgrew the shoes, but found there wasn't an easy way to remove it. And so, Baubles + Soles was born. Lisa began creating her own shoes with easily removable extras, and the company went from strength to strength pretty quickly, including racking up $150,000 in online sales in 2018. Knowing they were ready to scale their business and make it even bigger though, the Nguyens took their idea on "Shark Tank" in the hopes of getting an entrepreneur onboard for even more rapid growth.
Lisa Nguyen convinced one Shark to invest even after they were all out
Duc Nguyen and Lisa Nguyen headed to "Shark Tank" looking to give the entrepreneurs 15% of Baubles + Soles for $100,000. During the Season 11 episode, which aired in 2019, the two spoke openly about their company and success, including how much profit they made from each pair sold. But the Sharks seemed particularly taken by the couple's stories. Duc shared how he came to the U.S. from Canada, while Lisa opened up about how she and her mother left Vietnam and lived in a refugee camp.
But Lisa's touching story of resilience wasn't enough to make all the Sharks part with their cash. Kevin O'Leary shared he thought the two would end up with inventory issues, while Daymond John told the entrepreneurial couple as he declared himself out, "You're going to have a nightmare with that because you have to stock up on so many sizes, colors and accessories" (via CNBC). Their fellow Sharks, Robert Herjavec, Mark Cuban, and Lori Greiner, weren't any keener to invest, either.
Despite the Sharks being out, Lisa wasn't ready to walk away. She suggested they'd pay back the $100,000 in two years. "I know this company is gonna work, and we're here for a Shark. This has been our biggest dream, and we're here," she said. That's when John (who also invested in Muvez footwear) offered $100,000 for a 25% stake in the company — which the Nguyens happily accepted.
Daymond John jumped in to give the entrepreneurs advice
Speaking after Daymond John offered up the six-figure sum, Lisa Nguyen shared how happy she was to have him on board with Baubles + Soles. "When [John] went out, my heart dropped to my tummy. I'm so incredibly thankful," she shared during her "Shark Tank" episode (via CNBC). "I think that 'Shark Tank' is an example that if you work really hard, and refuse to take any other outcome, you're gonna be successful. We're so excited to work with Daymond." Lisa later shared how John had already started helping, revealing in December 2019 that they'd met up. She posted a photo of herself, her husband, and John on the company's Instagram, revealing in the caption that they'd met up and likely got some business advice.
Lisa also spoke about appearing on the ABC show on the "Cost of Good Sold" podcast in 2021, admitting she loved the opportunity to make it a family affair and had a great experience on the show. "The fact that we walked out of there with a deal when we almost did not, like that was all... I'm so grateful," she shared. And the brand's appearance on the show clearly led to big things. Baubles + Soles went on to be stocked in Macys and BuyBuyBaby in 2020.
Baubles + Soles is no longer in business
Sadly, Duc Nguyen and Lisa Nguyen's sustainable shoe brand is no more, as Baubles + Soles folded in February 2023 and pretty much became an outdated shoe trend. In January 2023, Baubles + Soles announced on Instagram that it was having a closing sale in preparation for the business coming to an end the following month. "While we will miss creating new baubles for you, we hope you are able to take advantage of our Closing Sale to stock up on sizes and all your favorite bauble characters," the post read. "Thank you for your continued support."
Baubles + Soles then shared a parting message to its customers on its Instagram account on February 28, 2023. "Thank you to everyone that shopped our closing sale and supported us through this adventure," the company shared, confirming that any items that had been purchased during the company's closing down sale would be sent out that week. "This account will not be monitored or respond to questions during this season of pause and reflection. Thank you for your understanding," it added.
Since then, Baubles + Soles official website is no longer available. However, that doesn't mean all Baubles + Soles shoes and accessories have been wiped from the internet. There are still a select few items available via Love Oka-b.
Lisa Nguyen is focusing on plenty of other business ventures today
Duc Nguyen and Lisa Nguyen have both moved on from Baubles + Soles. Lisa appears to be interested in a number of other business ventures since the company ceased trading, including revealing on Instagram in March 2023 that she was renting out a luxury property in California on Airbnb. But that's not the only iron Lisa has in the fire. Her LinkedIn reveals a plethora of business ventures and some date even further back than Baubles + Soles. Lisa has been a TV host and Emcee since 2007, a founder and board member at Senhoa Foundation since 2008, and the founder of another company, Custom Nest, since 2020. Lisa confirmed on Instagram in November 2023 that Custom Nest was part of her home renovation project, as she brought a home back to life that had been boarded up for five years prior.
It's not as clear what Duc has been up to since the two left Baubles + Soles behind, though it appears he's been enjoying some family time since the family company came to an end. In July 2023, Duc revealed he'd found the time to head back to Canada for some quality time with his nearest and dearest. "It was nice to visit the family back in Montreal and we got to do a trip to Mont Tremblant!" he wrote on Instagram alongside several adorable family photos.