Moonies Swimwear, a men’s swimwear brand founded by McKay Winkel and Karisa Winkel, aired on the 16th season of Shark Tank USA in 2024. The founders sought $150,000 for 35% equity, valuing the company at $428K. Unfortunately, they couldn’t secure a deal with any of the Sharks. In this article, we will explore Moonies Swimwear Net Worth in 2024, details of the Shark Tank pitch, and more.
Moonies Swimwear Net Worth 2025 & Financial Overview
After the show aired, the company experienced significant sales, with an estimated growth rate of 10% per year. Based on the company’s growth rate and founders’ company valuation before the Shark Tank show, Moonies Swimwear Net Worth was estimated at $522,000 in 2024.
| Annual Sales Revenue | $1,000 *estimated |
| Profits | Not Available |
| Lifetime sales | Not Available |
Moonies Swimwear Shark Tank Pitch
Moonies is a unique swimwear brand featured on Shark Tank Season 16. Founded by McKay and Karisa Winkel, the brand creates men’s swimsuits with a playful twist. Each design includes a “viewing window” at the back, adding a fun and cheeky touch.
These swimsuits come in various colours and patterns, like rainbow stripes and checkerboard. The brand uses eco-friendly materials, ensuring sustainability while keeping things stylish. Moonies aims to create unforgettable memories with its bold and eye-catching designs.
Comfort, style, and attention-grabbing appeal are at the heart of Moonies’ mission. The brand also supports essential causes, donating to environmental and LGBTQ+ initiatives.
McKay and Karisa Winkel, a husband-and-wife duo, pitched their swimwear business, Moonies, on Shark Tank. They asked the Sharks for $150,000 in exchange for 35% of their company. They explained that their swimsuits are designed to grab attention, but they admitted their sales had been low which was around only $1,000 so far. At that moment, the Sharks reacted with visible shock when they heard this.
Then, the founders clarified that they had kept promotion minimal while waiting for their patent approval. Now ready to launch fully and the couple believed the timing was perfect to scale their business.
The swimwear sells for $40 on the website, with each piece costing $12.50 to make. Bulk orders can lower production costs to $9 per unit. This allows for a profit margin of 77.5%, whether using regular production costs or bulk pricing.
However, Mark Cuban was the first Shark to exit, saying it wasn’t the right investment for him. Guest Shark Daniel Lubetzky thought there wasn’t enough potential for orders right now, so he also decided to step out. Robert Herjavec declined the deal, stating he couldn’t support the idea.
However, Kevin O’Leary made a surprising offer of $150,000 for 100% of the patent. He believed it would pair well with another of his investments, Rounderbum. McKay and Karisa turned to Lori Greiner, hoping for a better deal, but she quickly declined and opted out.
Then, the couple revisited Kevin’s offer and suggested a $5 royalty per unit sold. Kevin refused to change his terms. They then countered with $500,000 for the entire patent, but Kevin held firm. In the end, McKay and Karisa left without a deal.
| Company Name | Moonies Swimwear |
| Founders | McKay Winkel and Karisa Winkel |
| Business | Men’s swimwear brand |
| Episode | Season 16, Episode 04 |
| Asked Deal | $150,000 for 35% equity |
| Final Deal | No Deal |
| Sharks | No Sharks |
Summary of the Sharks’ Deal
| Shark | Offer | Counteroffer |
| Kevin O’Leary | 01 – $150,000 for 100% of the patent | 01 – $150,000 for 100% of the patent, but with a $5 royalty on each unit sold 02 – $500,000 for 100% of the patent |
| Mark Cuban | No | N/A |
| Lori Grinear | No | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | No | N/A |
| Daniel Lubetzky | No | N/A |
What Happened to Moonies Swimwear after Shark Tank?
As of January 2025, Moonies Swimwear is still in business. After the Shark Tank episode, Moonies experienced a surge in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. The publicity gave the brand a boost, but challenges remain. Moonies is still working on building strong brand recognition and has yet to secure significant retail partnerships, operating mainly as an online business.
The company promotes its patented design, which adds a fun “cleavage for guys” style. Moonies offers two main swimwear options on its website. The first is the Open Window style, featuring a playful cutout at the back for a bold look. The second is the Closed Window style, which provides similar design elements with more modest coverage.
They use social media to promote their unique and humorous style, often featuring the hashtag #cleavageforguys. Moonies connect with followers on Instagram by sharing behind-the-scenes clips from their Shark Tank journey, customer photos, and promotional content.
Both styles are priced at $45 and come in various colors and patterns. Moonies prioritize sustainability by using eco-friendly materials. Their swimwear is made from 86% recycled polyester, and their shipping bags are created from 100% recycled post-consumer materials.
Moonies also offer gift cards in denominations of $10, $25, and $50, allowing recipients to select their favorite products. Additionally, 5% of profits support non-profit organizations championing environmental and LGBTQIA+ causes.
The founders also plan to expand their product range with new colors, patterns, and styles while staying true to Moonies’ playful and bold design concept. Despite the challenges, their commitment to growth and eco-friendly production is evident. They aspire to make Moonies a standout name in men’s swimwear.
Their motto, “Express your personality and live life to its fullest,” encapsulates their mission. Whether relaxing poolside or diving into an adventure, Moonies Swimwear helps customers showcase their fun and bold personalities. As it continues to grow, Moonies aims to solidify its niche and connect with its target audience. You can purchase your own Moonies Swimwear and more through their website.
Moonies Swimwear Founders
McKay Winkel and Karisa Winkel are the founders of Moonies Swimwear, which was started in 2022. McKay has a strong background in real estate. He worked as a real estate analyst for companies like Boulder Ranch Properties, Bentall Kennedy, and Consolidated Investment Group. He also served as President of 29th Street Capital, a private investment real estate firm. Currently, he is the Vice President of Boulder Ranch Properties.
Karisa brings years of advertising experience to the company. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising from Brigham Young University. After graduation, she worked at Young & Rubicam and Pretty Handsome Paper Company, gaining valuable expertise.
The founders created the concept nearly 18 years ago during a trip to Lake Powell. McKay entered a “Stud of the Lake” competition to stand out. He designed a swimsuit with a cutout window exposing his bum. Karisa added a clear plastic panel to complete the look. The crowd loved the unique design, and the idea stayed with them.
Over time, friends and family started asking for their own Moonies. This inspired McKay and Karisa to patent the design and start the business. They later appeared on Shark Tank to showcase their bold, fun swimwear and share their story with a broader audience.
Conclusion
Shark Tank is a TV show showcasing different business ideas, helping them succeed. Moonies Swimwear was one of the ventures featured on the show. Despite losing the deal, the company showed that success is possible with the right idea and execution. Now, we eagerly await to see how their success story unfolds in the future.
