Grease Monkey Wipes

Grease Monkey Wipes are heavy duty cleaning wipes made to cut through grease, grime, oil and stubborn dirt that ordinary wipes cannot handle. They were aimed first at cyclists, mechanics and outdoor enthusiasts who need to clean their hands and gear away from a sink. Founders Tim Stansbury and Erin Whalen, based in Austin, Texas, built the brand around a citrus based formula tough enough for bike chains and shop work.

The pair asked for a modest investment in exchange for a meaningful equity stake. Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec teamed up on the deal, taking a combined position in the company in return for their capital and retail expertise. The negotiation centered on the founders' real but early traction and the path to getting the wipes into mainstream stores.

The product stood out because it solved a grubby, practical problem with a portable format, and it had appeal well beyond cyclists, reaching anyone who deals with grease, from gardeners to weekend mechanics. Two sharks splitting one deal gave the founders strong backing to chase broader distribution.

Grease Monkey Wipes grew into a nationally distributed brand with placement in major retailers including Walmart. In 2014 Stansbury restructured ownership, buying out his co founder Whalen and then both investor parties to become the sole owner of the company.

Having built the brand to scale, Stansbury later sold the company to Beaumont Products, a specialty cleaning products manufacturer with the distribution reach to keep growing it. Under Beaumont, Grease Monkey Wipes remain an active product, available through the parent company as well as Amazon and Walmart.