Kaytran

Kathy Tran-Riese, a mother of two from Winnipeg, Manitoba, asked for $225,000 for 15% of KayTran Eyewear, glasses designed for people with low nose bridges, common among many Asian, African American, and Indigenous people, whose faces are poorly served by eyewear designed for higher nose bridges. The frames feature elevated nose pads, a narrowed nose bridge, flattened frame curvature, and a widened tilt angle, and sell online and in select stores for around $200 a pair. The company has sold 4,500 units over two years, did $110,000 in sales in its first year and $350,000 last year with a $91,000 profit, is tracking toward $550,000 this year, and is run entirely by Kathy Tran-Riese out of her home basement.

Brian Scudamore and Wes Hall went out, feeling they were not the right partner or citing key-person and scaling risk. Arlene Dickinson offered $225,000 for a 10% royalty until three times her money was returned, and Michele Romanow offered $225,000 for 20% equity or the royalty option, while Manjit Minhas matched the original ask of $225,000 for 15% equity. Kathy Tran-Riese accepted Manjit Minhas's offer.

Kaytran is still operating and sells through its website.