Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban bites hard and funds Nohbo Ball, led by 16-year-old CEO

Industry: Business

Like Mark Cuban, Benjamin Stern has started young. That's why Cuban likes him

Melbourne, Florida (PRUnderground) March 4th, 2016

At Benjamin Stern’s age — 16 — Cuban saw a money-making opportunity in a Pittsburgh newspaper strike and began selling the Cleveland Daily in his hometown. In college, he worked as a bartender, a disco-dancing constructor and a party promoter.

Yet while the young Cuban was busy trying to save money, Stern is trying to save the planet — or, at least, the portion of it that uses shampoo.

Last month, the Melbourne, FLA high school student went on the ABC-TV program “Shark Tank” to pitch his invention of the “Nohbo Ball,” an eco-friendly version of shampoo that dissolves in water and comes wrapped in compostable wrapper rather than a bottle or tube. And several of the panelist “sharks,” including Cuban, bit hard.

“I love it, I absolutely love it,” the billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner told Stern while offering to spend $100,000 toward the project in return for a quarter interest in the company. “You remind me of me.”

“This could be one of the best things I’ve seen on ‘Shark Tank,'” said fellow panelist Robert Herjavec, who also made an offer.

Cuban, who once invested in the development of a hi-tech toilet, is not averse to taking risks. But Stern’s presentation presented his product as virtually a sure hit, especially for those in the hospitality industry.  Because motel and hotel guests don’t want to use shampoo left over from someone else, millions of bottles and tubes wind up, half-used, in the waste stream.

Stern has already begun offering the Nohbo Ball (www.nohboball.com) on a pre-order basis on the entrepreneurial site Indiegogo (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/nohbo-the-world-s-first-eco-friendly-shampoo-ball/x/13391585#/).  Delivery of the product is expected to begin this summer.

“It’s definitely the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” he said of his “Shark Tank” experience.

Meanwhile, the young entrepreneur continues to seek investors, large and small.  And he’s already looking into developing a shaving cream ball and other products as well.

About Nohbo Ball: Nohbo is the world’s first water soluble ball containing shampoo, conditioner, or any body wash products. The company was created to make a difference in the world by creating an environmentally responsible personal care solution that reduces the amount of plastic bottles thrown into landfills each year. Learn more about Nohbo at https://www.nohboball.com/.

About Ron Flavin Inc

Growth and funding strategist who helps entrepreneurs and organizations to develop innovative growth strategies, identify new revenue sources or secure the funds they need to grow and prosper. Using my own unique methodology, I work with my clients to develop a step-by-step growth and funding action plan that builds a bridge between vision and financial goals. Using this model, I have obtained more than $200 million in funding for my clients. I have also been part of decision-making teams that have allocated more than $500 million in funding. As a result, I know first-hand what those who hold the purse strings look for when determining which proposals get funded and which ones get tossed aside.

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