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The Ultimate Wearable Art: How Never Have I Ever Nailed It
Getting a customized, high-quality manicure at a professional salon is an expensive luxury. It eats up hours of your day and easily drains $60 to $100 from your wallet, only to chip a week later. On the other end of the spectrum, traditional drugstore press-on nails have historically been uninspired, cheap-looking, and prone to popping off at the worst possible moments. Susana Chen and Jess Wu knew there had to be a better way to bridge the gap between high-end beauty and affordable convenience.
They didn't just want to create another beauty product; they wanted to build a platform for real artists. They took their idea to local craft fairs, pulling in thousands of dollars in a single weekend. Soon, they were doing $1.5 million in sales and standing on the iconic carpet of the Shark Tank set. What started as a creative experiment quickly evolved into an instant-glam empire.
Here is the complete, up-to-date breakdown of Never Have I Ever’s journey through the Tank and where the founders are today.
What is Never Have I Ever?
Never Have I Ever is a modern beauty and lifestyle brand that specializes in high-quality, artist-designed press-on nails, temporary tattoos, and tooth gems. Instead of relying on standard factory patterns, the company treats its nail sets as miniature canvases. They collaborate directly with independent artists to create unique, wearable art.
This model solves two major problems. First, it gives consumers an affordable, salon-quality manicure that takes minutes to apply at home. Second, it offers independent artists a brand-new medium to showcase their work and monetize their creativity.
Never Have I Ever sets itself apart by paying a 5% royalty to the artist for every single box sold. The nails are engineered for durability, using professional gel polish and a custom fit that can last up to two weeks without damaging the natural nail bed.
| Business Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Never Have I Ever |
| Founded Year | 2023 |
| Industry | Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle |
| Core Product | Artist-designed press-on nails & beauty accessories |
| Target Audience | Gen Z and Millennials seeking affordable, expressive beauty |
| Retail Price | $18.00 - $45.00 per set |
Who is the Founder of Never Have I Ever?
Never Have I Ever was co-founded by Susana Chen and Jess Wu, two women who perfectly complement each other's skill sets.
Susana Chen was never a math or music prodigy growing up, but she had a deep passion for drawing, painting, and expressing herself visually. This lifelong love for art earned her a scholarship to the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City, where she studied product design.
As she navigated her career, Susana frequently visited nail salons but found herself frustrated. She wanted true artistic expression on her nails, miniature murals, complex patterns, and unique styles that standard nail techs often didn't have the time or training to execute perfectly. She realized there was a massive gap in the market for "wearable art."
To turn her vision into reality, Susana teamed up with her former colleague, Jess Wu. While Susana brought the creative firepower, Jess was the operational brain. Jess had a strong corporate background in brand marketing, e-commerce, and supply chain management. She knew exactly how to build efficient systems to scale a product brand.
In late 2023, the duo officially launched Never Have I Ever. They started small, taking their custom nails to local craft fairs and weekend markets. The response was explosive. They routinely pulled in $3,000 to $5,000 per weekend. Realizing they had a proven concept, Jess built an internal template to bridge the gap between their artists’ creative processes and factory manufacturing realities. This allowed them to scale incredibly fast, moving from weekend craft fairs to global retail shelves in less than two years.
Never Have I Ever Shark Tank Journey & Pitch
Susana Chen stepped into the Tank during Season 17, Episode 14, which aired on March 18, 2026. She was seeking a $150,000 investment in exchange for an 8% equity stake in her company, giving Never Have I Ever an initial implied valuation of $1.875 million.
Right out of the gate, Susana’s pitch captivated the room. She explained the pain points of the modern salon experience and handed out samples of the artist-designed nails. The Sharks, including Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Guest Shark Fawn Weaver, were immediately impressed by the quality and the stunning artwork. Fawn Weaver specifically praised Susana’s immense creativity and the brand's aesthetic.
However, the mood quickly shifted to business mechanics. Robert Herjavec voiced a common concern: the press-on nail market is incredibly crowded. You can buy cheap press-on nails at any pharmacy in the country. Susana fired back confidently, explaining her unique differentiator.
Never Have I Ever isn't just a plastics company; it is an art publisher. By collaborating with real artists and paying them royalties, they create exclusive designs that cannot be found anywhere else, turning a disposable beauty product into a collectible item.
| Pitch & Offers | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Ask & Valuation | $150,000 for 8% equity ($1.875M Valuation) |
| Sharks in the Room | Kevin O'Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Fawn Weaver |
| Offers Made | Kevin O'Leary: $150,000 for 10% + $0.50 royalty per unit (capped at $450k) |
| Final Deal Accepted | $150,000 for 10% + $0.50 royalty per unit (capped at $450k) with Kevin O'Leary |
Then, Kevin O'Leary started digging into the financials. The numbers were staggering. Susana revealed that a set of nails costs between $2 and $3 to manufacture, yet retails for $18 to $45. Furthermore, she disclosed that the company had already hit $1.5 million in revenue in 2025.
Despite the fantastic margins, Kevin initially expressed hesitation. He felt the business structure wasn't tight enough for his liking and momentarily seemed ready to drop out. Lori Greiner also probed into their retail strategy to see if they could survive on store shelves against massive conglomerates. But money talks, and the sheer volume of their sales and high margins pulled Kevin right back in.
He decided to make one of his classic royalty offers. Kevin offered the requested $150,000, but he wanted 10% equity instead of 8%. Additionally, he attached a $0.50 per-unit royalty to the deal, which would remain in place until he recouped $450,000 (three times his initial investment). Knowing the value of having "Mr. Wonderful" on board to help scale their operations, Susana accepted the deal.
What Happened to Never Have I Ever After Shark Tank?
The "Shark Tank Effect" hit Never Have I Ever immediately. Following their March 2026 airing, the company experienced a massive surge in website traffic and sales. Because they had already built a robust supply chain with a team split between the US and China, they were well-prepared for the influx of orders and avoided the dreaded post-show inventory crash that plagues many startups.
To capitalize on the momentum, Susana and Jess launched a special "Shark Tank's Picks" collection on their website, bundling their best-selling artist designs at a discount. They also heavily leaned into social media marketing, particularly on TikTok Shop, where their visually striking nails naturally go viral. They maintained their impressive 3.5X year-over-year growth rate, fueled by the national television exposure.
Is Never Have I Ever Still in Business?
Yes, absolutely. As of today, Never Have I Ever is thriving and aggressively expanding its footprint. The company has successfully transitioned from a direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand into a retail powerhouse. Jess Wu’s expertise in scaling businesses paid off perfectly.
Currently, Never Have I Ever products are carried in over 2,000 retail locations across the country. You can find their brightly colored boxes in major mall staples like Urban Outfitters, PacSun, Zumiez, Anthropologie, and high-end department stores like Nordstrom.
Even more impressively, because the product is fundamentally rooted in artistic expression, Never Have I Ever achieved retail placement in spaces where beauty products rarely go: world-renowned cultural institutions. Their nail sets are currently sold in the gift shops of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MoMA) in New York and the Denver Art Museum.
They also continue to expand their artist roster, boasting collaborations with trending creators like Lorien Stern, Tay Beepboop, Jade Roland, and Zoe Wodarz. They have also secured major IP licensing deals, releasing highly popular collections featuring Peanuts and Miffy characters.
What is the Valuation & Net Worth of Never Have I Ever?
When Susana Chen accepted Kevin O'Leary's offer of $150,000 for 10% equity on Shark Tank, it placed the company's baseline valuation at exactly $1.5 million.
However, that valuation was based on the snapshot of the business at the time of filming. In reality, Never Have I Ever closed out 2025 with $1.5 million in confirmed annual revenue and over 120,000 units sold. Given their incredibly high profit margins (cost of goods is under $3, retail is $18+), their vast placement in over 2,000 retail stores, and the massive spike in sales following their 2026 Shark Tank airing, the company is highly profitable.
The estimated net worth of the Never Have I Ever business is comfortably projected to be between $2.5 million and $4 million. If they maintain their current 3.5X year-over-year growth trajectory with Kevin O'Leary's backing, they are well on their way to becoming a dominant, eight-figure player in the instant-glam industry.
Where to Buy Never Have I Ever Nails?
Finding Never Have I Ever products is easier than ever. For the widest selection of artist collaborations, IP bundles (like their Peanuts collection), and exclusive Shark Tank promo codes, consumers can shop directly on their official website (neverhaveiever.shop). They also have a massive presence on TikTok Shop, where they frequently offer flash sales and free shipping deals.
If you prefer to shop in person, you can find their press-on nails at over 2,000 brick-and-mortar locations nationwide. Major stockists include Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Revolve, and PacSun.
Are Never Have I Ever Reviews Good?
The reviews for Never Have I Ever are overwhelmingly positive, with the brand maintaining high ratings across its website and TikTok Shop storefront. Customers consistently praise the incredible artwork, noting that the prints are vibrant and truly look like hand-painted gel polish.
Buyers also highlight the durability of the nails. When applied correctly using the provided prep pads and high-quality nail glue, users report that the nails stay firmly attached for up to two weeks through daily chores, typing, and showering. Because they are made from durable ABS plastic and professional gel, many customers also note that they successfully remove and reuse their favorite sets multiple times, making the $18 price tag an absolute steal compared to regular salon visits.
