The Cool Wazoo

The Cool Wazoo was a 5-in-1 multipurpose baby surface cover that could work as a changing pad, a shopping cart and high chair cover, a play mat, and a protective surface shield. The idea came from Ginelle Mills of Walnut Creek, California, who was inspired after her young daughter was burned on a hot playground swing seat, prompting her to design a versatile protective cover for parents on the go.

Mills asked for 65,000 dollars for 25 percent. The sharks raised concerns about the business's finances and operations, and initially all five passed. In an emotional moment, Mills described her years of work on the product, and Lori Greiner stepped in with an offer of 65,000 dollars for 35 percent. Mills accepted the deal through tears on stage.

The Cool Wazoo stood out for its versatility and its origin story. Combining several baby items into one washable cover spoke to space-conscious parents, and Mills's personal motivation gave the pitch real emotional weight, which is part of why the moment with Lori Greiner became a memorable segment.

The handshake deal with Lori reportedly did not close after the cameras stopped, a common outcome once due diligence begins. Even so, Mills used the show's exposure and validation to move the product forward and pursued a licensing route to handle manufacturing and distribution rather than building it all in-house.

Mills secured a licensing arrangement with a major juvenile products company to help bring the concept to market, which is a meaningful win for a single founder. Reporting on the brand's current day-to-day status is mixed, so the safest statement is that the product continued beyond the show through that licensing path rather than as a large standalone operation.