Circadian Optics Net Worth: From Shark Tank Deal to Million-Dollar Brand

Circadian Optics boasts a net worth of around $9 million today. The company grows steadily by 20% each year since its memorable Shark Tank appearance. Amber Leong, the founder, stepped into the Tank with a bold ask – $750,000 for 10% equity. Her light therapy lamp company carried a $7.5 million valuation.

The company's growth story after Shark Tank proves remarkable. Amber showcased lifetime sales of $7.4 million and annual revenue of $4 million. The Sharks couldn't ignore the impressive 70% profit margin. These strong numbers combined with high profitability made Circadian Optics an attractive investment for Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner.

This piece dives into Circadian Optics' success story. You'll learn about Amber Leong's inspiring personal trip and how her innovative light therapy products solve real-life health problems. The Shark Tank exposure's effect on the company's growth and market position also makes an interesting part of this story.

How much is Circadian Optics worth today?

Circadian Optics has grown remarkably since its early days. The company's path changed forever after Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner invested $750,000 on Shark Tank. Let's look at the numbers to see what this innovative light therapy company is worth in 2025.

Current estimated valuation in 2025

Circadian Optics' estimated net worth has reached $55 million in 2025. This is a big deal as it means that the company has grown from its $7.5 million valuation during its Shark Tank appearance.

Several elements pushed this growth:

• Light therapy products market keeps expanding
• People now understand circadian rhythm health better
• Smart business decisions and acquisition helped too

Thrasio's acquisition of the company in early 2020 pushed the valuation higher. Thrasio typically targets successful Amazon-based businesses that earn between $1 million and $100 million annually. They saw Circadian Optics as a leader in wellness technology.

Revenue growth since Shark Tank

The company showed strong sales even before its Shark Tank appearance:

• Total sales hit $7.4 million from its 2016 launch
• Sales reached $4 million in 2018
• The team expected $5.6 million in sales for 2019

The company's 70% profit margin stands nowhere near the industry average. Amber Leong told the Sharks about $625,000 in profit and expected $1.3 million the next year.Recent data from April 2022 shows the company makes about $4 million yearly. While growth seems to have leveled off, the company stays strong in a tough market.

How Shark Tank changed sales

Sales jumped right after the Shark Tank episode aired. This "Shark Tank effect" brought:

1. Many positive Amazon reviews
2. More products in their lineup
3. Better recognition in wellness tech

The company now sells mostly through Amazon instead of its website, which went offline in mid-2022]. Thrasio likes to grow successful Amazon businesses, but recent reports show they might have neglected the brand's social media and website.

The company's core business stays strong. Light therapy products should see high growth through 2031. Circadian Optics looks ready to keep its market position, especially in North America where more people understand light therapy's benefits.

Amber Leong's trip before Shark Tank

The story behind Circadian Optics' impressive valuation belongs to a founder who engaged both the Sharks and viewers across America. Amber Leong's path to business success started nowhere near the bright lights of American TV.

Early life in Malaysia and move to the U.S.

Amber's childhood in Malaysia was simple, with few opportunities ahead. She dreamed big and wanted an education beyond what her homeland could offer. Her parents saw her potential and made a life-changing sacrifice – they emptied their retirement savings of $20,000 to help her study in the United States.

Amber landed in Minnesota when she was just 20. She faced tough school work and the shock of American culture. The freezing Midwest winters felt nothing like Malaysia's warm climate. All the same, she pushed through college, got her MBA, and built a life thousands of miles from home.

This brave move across continents would shape her future business vision, though she had no idea how her life experiences would guide her path as an entrepreneur.

Health crisis and personal transformation

Life threw Amber a curve ball just as she was settling into her American life. At 23, only three years after arriving, doctors diagnosed her with Toxic Shock Syndrome – a rare condition that could kill her. They gave her a 50-50 chance to live.

Amber faced death in a hospital bed, far from her family and everything familiar. This close call changed everything. She beat the odds and came out with new purpose and a different point of view.

After nearly dying, she took a hard look at what mattered in life. The experience got her interested in how things like light affect health and wellness. Living in Minnesota taught her firsthand how dark winter days change mood, energy, and health.These personal struggles with seasonal light would later inspire Circadian Optics.

Career path before founding Circadian Optics

After getting better and finishing her MBA, Amber built a solid corporate career. She worked in marketing and business development roles that taught her about products, consumer behavior, and market research.

Minnesota's long, dark winters kept affecting her through her corporate years. The light therapy products available looked too medical and clunky – more like hospital equipment than something you'd want at home or work.

Amber saw an opportunity. She used her business knowledge and personal experience to create a solution – light therapy lamps that worked well but looked good and fit into daily life.

She left her corporate job in 2016 to start Circadian Optics. Her business skills and desire to help others tackle similar challenges drove her forward.

In just three years, she built a company worth millions and was ready to face the Sharks.Her story – from Malaysian immigrant to survivor to successful business owner – shows the grit and creativity that made Circadian Optics so valuable.

The Problem Circadian Optics Solves

Circadian Optics tackles a basic health issue that affects millions worldwide – our bodies don't get enough natural light. Amber Leong knew this problem well from Minnesota's dark winters. Her experience became the foundation for a business now worth tens of millions. She created stylish, effective light therapy lamps that filled a gap in the market and helped build the company's impressive worth.

What is circadian rhythm and why it matters

Our bodies run on an internal 24-hour biological clock called the circadian rhythm. This system controls many body processes like sleep patterns, hormone production, body temperature, and energy levels. The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in our hypothalamus works as our body's master clock. It lines up our internal processes with the light and dark cycles around us.

Light reaching our eyes acts as the main "zeitgeber" or time signal that fine-tunes this internal clock. The light affects brain chemicals—specifically melatonin and serotonin—that control our sleep-wake cycle. Our system can get thrown off balance without the right light signals, which leads to various health issues.

Our circadian system works through two connected processes: the circadian "process C" (our internal clock) and the homeostatic "process S" (sleep pressure that builds while we're awake). These systems should help us stay alert during the day and sleep well at night.

How lack of sunlight affects health

Not getting enough sunlight throws off our body's system and creates several health risks:

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression that shows up mostly in fall and winter when days get shorter
• Sleep disturbances: Problems falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting good rest
• Reduced serotonin production: Less of this mood-controlling brain chemical can cause depression
• Suppressed immune function: Too little vitamin D from lack of sun can weaken our immune system
• Decreased bone density: Low vitamin D makes it harder to absorb calcium, which might lead to osteoporosis

This goes beyond just winter blues. Research on 29,518 Swedish women showed that death rates dropped with more sun exposure—women who stayed out of the sun died at twice the rate of those who got the most sun. Another study found that avoiding sunshine cut life expectancy as much as smoking.

Low sunlight exposure has links to higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, autism, asthma, type 1 diabetes, and myopia.

Why existing light therapy products fell short

Light therapy products existed before Circadian Optics, but they don't deal very well with several key issues:

The old devices looked like medical equipment—big, ugly units that nobody wanted to show in their homes or offices. Their clinical look made people feel awkward about using light therapy.

Many products weren't bright enough. Light therapy needs about 10,000 lux of brightness to copy natural daylight and trigger the right body responses.

These devices weren't flexible enough for daily use. The timing of light therapy matters—most people with delayed sleep phase syndrome need light right after waking up. Older devices made this morning routine difficult.

The products also looked outdated and stuck out like sore thumbs in modern homes.

Circadian Optics fixed these problems with stylish, portable lamps that deliver the needed 10,000 lux brightness using UV-free LED technology. Their innovative designs, like the Lumos 2.0 with one-touch control and three brightness settings, offered tailored, effective light therapy in an attractive package.

Amber Leong built a million-dollar brand by creating products that worked well and looked good—meeting both scientific needs and style priorities.

Inside the Shark Tank pitch

Amber Leong walked into the Shark Tank with a bold presentation that showcased her unwavering confidence in Circadian Optics. Her pitch would become one of the show's most memorable moments. She combined impressive business metrics with a touching personal story that captivated everyone.

Original ask and company valuation

The stakes were high when Amber asked for $750,000 for a 10% equity stake. This put Circadian Optics' value at $7.5 million. The Sharks raised their eyebrows at these numbers. Yet Amber remained confident and ready to back up her figures with solid performance data. She showed the Sharks she wasn't just another hopeful entrepreneur – she knew exactly what her company was worth.

Sales numbers and profit margins

Her numbers quickly proved why she valued her company so highly. Since starting in 2016, the company had reached $7.4 million in lifetime sales. The business hit $4 million in sales for 2018 alone. She projected $5.6 million in sales and $1.3 million in profit for 2019.

The Sharks perked up when they heard about Circadian Optics' 70% profit margin. This was nowhere near typical for manufacturing businesses. The mood in the Tank shifted from doubt to excitement.

Sharks' reactions and final deal

The investors split into two teams during negotiations. Mark Cuban joined forces with Lori Greiner to offer $750,000 for 20% equity. Kevin O'Leary and Barbara Corcoran matched their financial proposal.

Mark and Lori sweetened their similar offer with a touching gesture. They added a $50,000 gift for Amber's parents. This acknowledged her parents' sacrifice in funding her education and American dream.

Why Amber chose Mark and Lori

"I know I should negotiate and be a good business partner," Amber exclaimed when she got the offers, "But I am here for Lori and Mark! Both of you, you have a deal!"Her choice wasn't just based on emotions – she had a clear strategy. She came looking for partners who could help take her company "to the next level". Her goal was to expand beyond online success into retail stores.

Mark Cuban brought his expertise in adaptable direct-to-consumer health brands. Lori Greiner added her powerful retail and TV distribution network. Their mutually beneficial alliance gave Amber exactly what she needed to grow Circadian Optics into a multi-million dollar brand.

What happened after Shark Tank

The emotional pitch and handshake deal on Shark Tank led to some unexpected developments for Circadian Optics. The company's net worth and market position changed by a lot after the show aired.

Did the deal with the Sharks close?

The $750,000 deal with Mark and Lori didn't work out once the cameras stopped rolling. The agreement fell apart during due diligence. Amber gave vague answers about the deal's status when Mashable Southeast Asia asked her. She told them they were "in communication" with the Sharks' teams. You won't find Circadian Optics listed on Mark Cuban's or Lori Greiner's Shark Tank portfolio websites.

Sales performance post-show

The company benefited from the "Shark Tank effect" even though the deal collapsed. Circadian Optics managed to keep about $4 million in yearly revenue through 2022. They added new products to their line and got thousands of positive Amazon reviews. Users reported their depression symptoms improved.

Acquisition by Thrasio and retail expansion

Amber decided to sell Circadian Optics to Thrasio in January 2020 instead of running it independently. Thrasio specializes in buying successful Amazon businesses that make between $1-100 million. This move put Circadian Optics among other leading brands and helped expand its retail presence.

Product availability on Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy

Amazon now serves as the main sales channel for Circadian Optics. Thrasio took down the company's website around mid-2022 . The company's social media accounts haven't posted anything since January 2021. Their light therapy lamps are still available at major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy, which meets Amber's original goal of having a retail presence.

Conclusion

Circadian Optics has definitely proven its worth way beyond its original Shark Tank valuation. The company started with a bold $7.5 million valuation during Amber Leong's pitch and has grown to an estimated $9 million today. The business maintains a steady 20% annual growth. This success shows how solving a real health need can change into a thriving business.

Amber's remarkable personal story without doubt played a key role in the company's growth. She went from being a Malaysian immigrant facing a life-threatening illness to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Her story shows the determination behind Circadian Optics. Her experience with Minnesota's dark winters gave her real insight into the problem her products would end up solving.

The company found an elegant solution to disrupted circadian rhythms that filled a huge gap in the market. Light therapy devices looked like clinical equipment before Circadian Optics came along. So Amber redesigned them into esthetically pleasing lamps that delivered the needed 10,000 lux brightness. These caught customers' attention because they offered both function and style.

The Shark Tank deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner fell through during due diligence, but the show's exposure boosted the brand by a lot. Thrasio's acquisition in early 2020 marked a new chapter that positioned Circadian Optics within its portfolio of successful Amazon-based businesses.

Some things changed after the acquisition. The standalone website was discontinued and social media accounts went quiet. Yet Circadian Optics products still sell well through Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. This retail presence fulfilled Amber's original vision while keeping about $4 million in annual revenue.

Circadian Optics stands as evidence of how finding an underserved health need, paired with thoughtful product design and smart business moves, creates substantial value. Amber Leong's company has helped clarify not just homes but also a path for entrepreneurs who want to turn personal challenges into million-dollar opportunities.

FAQs

Q1. What is Circadian Optics and what problem does it solve?

Circadian Optics is a company that produces stylish light therapy lamps designed to help regulate the body's circadian rhythm. These lamps address the issue of disrupted sleep-wake cycles caused by insufficient natural light exposure, which can lead to various health problems.

Q2. How much is Circadian Optics worth today?

As of 2025, Circadian Optics has an estimated net worth of approximately $55 million. The company has shown steady growth since its appearance on Shark Tank, with annual revenue around $4 million.

Q3. Did Circadian Optics secure a deal on Shark Tank?

While Circadian Optics initially received an offer from Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner on Shark Tank, the deal ultimately fell through during the due diligence process after the show.

Q4. Who founded Circadian Optics and what inspired the company?

Circadian Optics was founded by Amber Leong, a Malaysian immigrant who experienced the effects of limited sunlight exposure while living in Minnesota. Her personal struggle with seasonal light changes inspired her to create effective and esthetically pleasing light therapy products.

Q5. Where can Circadian Optics products be purchased?

Circadian Optics products are primarily sold through Amazon. They are also available at major retailers including Walmart and Best Buy, fulfilling the founder's vision of expanding into retail markets.