Traveling can be stressful. Packing, organizing, and making sure your luggage fits everything you need can feel like a puzzle. Then there’s the issue of zippers breaking at the worst times, or struggling to charge your phone while you’re on the go. For many, this can turn an exciting trip into a frustrating experience. Jessie Potash and Gaston Blanchet saw these common travel struggles and decided to create a solution.
They introduced Trunkster, a zipper-free luggage that came with built-in USB ports and a self-contained scale. This luggage aimed to make traveling easier and more convenient. Trunkster looked sleek and promised to simplify packing. It also claimed to handle many of the hassles that travelers face.
Jessie and Gaston presented their product on Shark Tank in Season 7. They wanted $1.4 million for just 5% equity, valuing their company at $28 million. Did the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out our Trunkster update to find out!
Trunkster Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Jessie Potash and Gaston Blanchet asked for a $1.4 million investment in exchange for 5% equity in their company. This meant they valued their company at $28 million. They made a deal with Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban for $1.4 million in exchange for 5% equity, with conditions that required the founders to repay the investment within 24 months or the equity would increase to 10%, plus a $1 royalty per unit sold. This new deal valued their company at $28 million. After the show aired, Trunkster saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. With an estimated 10% yearly growth rate (typical business growth), the current net worth of Trunkster is about $0 due to its closure.
After their Shark Tank appearance, Trunkster seemed to be heading toward success. Their Kickstarter campaign had already raised $2 million in pre-sales. Many customers believed in the product and eagerly awaited their orders. However, things took a wrong turn.
Reports started coming in that most backers never received their luggage. A few that did said the product was of poor quality. The company did not respond to complaints, and many people lost their money. Trunkster’s website shut down, and their social media accounts disappeared.
As of today, Trunkster is no longer in business. It seems the company failed to deliver on its promises. Customers felt scammed, and no refunds were given. The deal with Lori and Mark never closed.
Yes, Trunkster got a deal on Shark Tank. Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban teamed up to offer $1.4 million for 5% equity. However, the deal came with conditions. The founders had to pay back the $1.4 million within 24 months. If not, Lori and Mark would get double the equity. Additionally, the sharks would receive a $1 royalty on every unit sold.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner and Mark | $1.4 million to fund purchase orders for 15% equity | $1.4 million for 5% equity + a royalty of $1 per unit sold once investment is repaid within 24 months or equity increases to 10% | Yes |
| Kevin O’Leary | $1.4 million for 37% equity | N/A | No |
| Robert Herjavec | $1.4 million for 30% equity | N/A | No |
| Mark Cuban | Partnered with Lori | N/A | N/A |
Trunkster Shark Tank pitch
Jessie Potash and Gaston Blanchet were avid travelers who noticed recurring issues with luggage. They realized that traditional suitcases often had design flaws that made traveling harder. Broken zippers, lack of charging options, and disorganized compartments inspired them to create something better.
Their idea was to combine modern technology with practical features. This led to Trunkster, a luggage line designed to meet the needs of modern travelers. The journey wasn’t easy. The founders had to raise money through crowdfunding and work on building a brand from scratch.
Jessie and Gaston began their pitch by highlighting the problems with traditional luggage. They explained how Trunkster’s zipper-free design solved the issue of broken zippers. They also talked about the built-in USB ports and scale, which made packing and charging more convenient.
Each Trunkster suitcase sold for $395 and had an 80% profit margin. They revealed that their Kickstarter campaign had already raised $2 million in pre-sales. However, they admitted that they hadn’t shipped any products yet.
The founders asked for $1.4 million for 5% equity, valuing their company at $28 million. The sharks were immediately concerned about the high valuation. Keep reading our Trunkster update to see what happens next!
The sharks had many questions about Trunkster:
Kevin O’Leary: “Why is your valuation so high?” The founders explained their $2 million in pre-sales and the product’s potential to disrupt the luggage market.
Barbara Corcoran: “Why does it look so bulky and masculine?” The founders defended the design, saying it was meant to be durable and functional.
Robert Herjavec: “Do you have any products ready to ship?” The founders admitted they were still in the pre-production phase.
Each shark had their own thoughts about the product:
Barbara Corcoran felt the luggage was too heavy and not appealing to a broad audience. She decided to pass.
Robert Herjavec believed the valuation was too high. He offered $1.4 million for 30% equity but was unwilling to negotiate further.
Kevin O’Leary offered $1.4 million for 37% equity. He believed the founders were overestimating the company’s worth.
Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban saw potential in the product. They agreed to the founders’ counteroffer of $1.4 million for 5% equity, with conditions attached.
Product Availability
From our Trunkster update research, Trunkster is no longer available for purchase. The company shut down its operations, and the website is defunct. Customers who backed the product on Kickstarter did not receive refunds or products.
Conclusion
Trunkster started with a promising idea. The zipper-free design, built-in scale, and USB ports were innovative features that could have made travel easier. The product gained significant attention on Shark Tank and even secured a deal with Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban.
Unfortunately, the company failed to deliver on its promises. Many customers were left disappointed, and Trunkster disappeared from the market. While the concept was strong, poor execution led to the downfall of this once-promising brand.
This is a reminder that a great idea isn’t enough. Execution and customer trust are equally important for a business to succeed.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib an undergraduate student of Bachelors in Business Administration. Shark Tank is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. The show provides a fascinating insight into the world of entrepreneurship by presenting creative solutions to common problems, which strongly connects to my academic interests. I’m interested in learning more about the strategic thinking and creativity that lead these companies as each pitch provides insightful information. I’ve found that watching Shark Tank has inspired my enthusiasm for business and entrepreneurship and has been a very enlightening and motivating experience. Apart from business and writing, I love food, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. Read more About me.
