Whatever Happened To Wondercide Flea, Tick & Pest Control After Shark Tank Season 7?

In 2016, Stephanie Boone and Laura Alter brought their natural pest repellent onto "Shark Tank." Their product, Wondercide, is a lab-tested flea and tick control that is made up of natural ingredients and contains no harmful chemicals like other flea and tick preventatives. Wondercide's main ingredient is cedar oil and the product can be used on pets, as well as in the home or on your lawn.

Boone came up with the idea for the company when her own dog experienced pesticide poisoning: "It was in 2008, when my dog Luna became deathly ill from conventional flea and tick treatment, that I started on this journey to create safe and effective alternatives to pesticides used on pets, families and in homes," she told Green Industry Pros. "It first took several months of research to develop and test the products, which we were able to get to market in 2009." Luna suffered from seizures and liver and kidney failure, but Boone was determined to find a better solution for not only her dog but other families and pets.

Laura Alter and Stephanie Boone walked into the tank with support from canine companion, Mercy. The team started their pitch by explaining the dangers of traditional flea and tick treatments. "Have you ever thought about what's actually in the products you use to protect your family and pets from bugs? These products are actually toxic pesticides," Boone told the Sharks.

Wondercide hoped to secure a $500,000 investment in exchange for 5% equity in the company. Between 2009 and the company's appearance on the show, Wondercide did approximately $4 million in sales. The team explained that they hoped to use a Shark's funding to become more involved in retail since Wondercide was strictly online at the time. Daymond John, Kevin O'Leary, and Lori Greiner all made offers on the product, but Boone and Alter decided to go with Greiner's deal, $500K for 3% equity and 50 cent royalties until the investment was repaid.

When Wondercide accepted Lori Greiner's deal, they were given the largest "Shark Tank" valuation for a woman-owned company up to that point. Like many other products that appear on the show, Wondercide's sales and interest peaked after their episode aired. In a blog posted on the company's website a year after the show, Stephanie Boone discussed the impact of "Shark Tank" on Wondercide. "The exposure and excitement for our brand after Shark Tank was massive! It's been amazing to watch our company grow in both size and impact this year. Since the show, we launched a new formula with improved scents — and we're hearing great things from our customers about it!"

During a Q&A with Boone and Laura Alter that was posted on Wondercide's Facebook in June of 2016, the team revealed their success could not be attributed to Greiner. Though they couldn't disclose the exact reasons why the deal didn't close, the team stated that their "Shark Tank" deal simply didn't work out.

Despite that Wondercide never received funding from their "Shark Tank" deal, the company continues to thrive. Wondercide has come out with a variety of new products for pets and home and lawn protection, including flea and tick collars, sprays, and shampoo for dogs and cats, pet ear cleaning solutions, bug sprays and repellent soaps for humans, and several lawn care pest treatments. All of Wondercide's products are made from steam-distilled essential oils and natural ingredients that are safe for children and pets. The company manufactures its products in the United States and does not test them on animals. Wondercide also donates to animal rescues.

Wondercide's products are currently for sale on their website as well as Amazon and Chewy. Stephanie Boone and Laura Alter planned to use money from "Shark Tank" to help bring Wondercide to retail stores and even though the deal never closed, the Wondercide team has managed to get their natural products into various pet and garden stores across the country. The company's store locator can help find shops that sell Wondercide near you.

Stephanie Boone's love for her dog, Luna, is what inspired and drove Wondercide to become a success, but it seems that Boone stepped down as CEO as of August 2023 after 15 years with the company. Since the start of 2022, she's been working as an angel investor with Unmudl Skills-to-Jobs Marketplace. Boone also lists herself as a self-employed business mentor.

Laura Alter was originally the company's chief marketing officer, but left the role in August of 2016, just five months after Wondercide's "Shark Tank" episode aired. Alter is currently the Vice President of Marketing at Provision — Energy for Good, which focuses on lowering carbon emissions in home energy. Since Boone has stepped down as CEO of Wondercide, it appears that Brad Locke is the company's current president, as of July 2023. Though Alter and Boone are no longer actively involved in Wondercide, there's no denying that they brought the company to success both before and after "Shark Tank."