Brian Lim's parents immigrated to the United States in their mid-twenties so that he and his two other siblings can have a chance at a better life. Lim's parents opened a donut shop in Los Angeles, and would often work 18-hour work-days to make ends meet. Growing up, Lim was no stranger to hard work as he would help at his parent's shop after school and work full time during the weekends. This experience of helping his parents and witnessing them toiling away shaped Lim’s strong work ethic that allowed him to build not one, but three businesses: Emazing Lights, iHeartRaves, and IntotheAM.
Brian Lim first stepped into the Shark Tank 2 years ago with Emazing Lights and blew the sharks out of the water with his pitch on ABC's Shark Tank English TV show. To win the shark fight competitors present their innovative products (shark tank products) to convince sharks. Brian Lim showcased his iconic lighting gloves. His achievement was like a refreshing sweet gummy among all of the competitors in the show.
Robert Herjavec called him the most impressive entrepreneur they ever had on the show, compelling all the sharks to make irresistible offers. Lim took on a deal with Mark Cuban and Daymond John ($650,000 for 5 percent equity and 20 percent commission on licensing deals), and since then, his businesses have grown rapidly.
His success story on "Shark Tank US" became one of the most talked-about episodes in the history of the show, inspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. The exposure he gained from this Shark Tank episode propelled his businesses to new heights, making him a household name and solidifying his place in the annals of TV show history.
In an exclusive interview with Lim, he shared that he was largely influenced by his parents to start his own business. Seeing his parents work 7 days a week selling donuts for 30 cents per piece inspired him to work hard. Lim paid his way through college by working part-time and securing an impressive job at Deloitte.
But Deloitte just didn’t cut it for him - it was too mundane and he craved to feel a sense of accomplishment. He wanted to work towards something that he could be proud of and make a difference in people's lives. Lim's passion for rave culture, particularly in the realm of electronic dance music, further fueled his entrepreneurial spirit, eventually leading him to dive into the vibrant world of music festivals.
While working at Deloitte, he started to sell LED-powered gloves to kids at the local Jack In The Box store. He noticed that the kids enjoyed playing with the LED-powered gloves, and increasingly more kids would show up every weekend to buy his gloves. As demand became stronger, he took the plunge and left his job at Deloitte after 2 years to work on Emazing Lights full-time. And that was a risk he took that turned out incredibly well for him.
It was challenging initially, but his passion for EDM and the growing popularity of gloving light shows at events like music festivals kept him going. In these events, glovers showcase their skills, creating mesmerizing light shows that captivate audiences and add to the vibrant atmosphere of the EDM scene.
His robust work ethic saw him through countless nights and days of doing sales and operating the business. He credits his strong work ethic to his upbringing and working for his parents when he was young.
Today, Lim runs a team of 50 full-time employees out of California, operates 3,000 square feet of warehouse space, and is on track to generate over $20 million in revenue this year. He is the sole founder and has remained very much hands-on with the business side of things. Being the visionary that he is, he looks forward to growing the business globally.
Amidst all the success, he remains grounded and is very committed to giving back to the community. In fact, he organizes educational programs and community service events, in which he volunteers his time to help other disadvantaged children and kids. Brian Lim’s diligence and humility are definitely some of the traits we can take away and possibly emulate to become a successful entrepreneur like him.
Sometimes, it’s not about what you have but what you are willing to give and sacrifice. Brian Lim's Lights On Gloves stood out among the Shark Tank products, catching judges off guard with their innovation and revenue potential. Additionally, we can draw valuable tutorials from his journey to inspire and guide our paths to success.
Brian Lim’s Shark Tank show’s full video is available in the playlist on Vimeo, you have a look at the episode. If you are more interested in checking Brian’s products check here www.emazinglights.com.
Following negotiations on Shark Tank, entrepreneur Brian Lim struck a deal with renowned investors Mark Cuban and Daymond John. The agreement entailed a $650,000 investment in exchange for a 5% equity stake in EmazingLights, along with 20% of the revenue generated from licensing agreements.
Emazing Lights, known for its vibrant light products, boasted an impressive annual revenue of $880,000. With a team of 25 employees, their revenue per employee stood at approximately $35,200. The company reached its peak revenue of $880,000 in 2022, reflecting its growing success and market presence.
Emazing Lights is owned and operated by Brian Lim, a first-generation Chinese immigrant who migrated to the United States with his parents. As the sole founder of the company, Brian Lim has been instrumental in shaping its vision and growth since its inception.
During their appearance on Shark Tank, Emazing Lights, under entrepreneur Brian Lim, successfully secured a substantial investment deal. They raised a total of $650,000, offering 5% equity in the company to investors. Additionally, they agreed to allocate an extra 20% share of any licensing deals to Daymond John, one of the sharks on the show.
Emazing Lights featured on Season 6, Episode 22 of Shark Tank. This is a renowned American business reality show. Shark Tank, which premiered on August 9, 2009, on ABC, continues to capture audiences with its innovative entrepreneurial pitches and fierce investor negotiations. In this episode, the company's founders pitched their business to the Sharks in hopes of securing investment and support for their LED rave and light show products.
Mark Cuban, a prominent figure among the investors on Shark Tank, recognized the innovative potential of Emazing Lights' LED glove products for both dance and e-sports. Impressed by their unique offering, Cuban decided to invest in the company during their appearance on the show.
EmazingLights, a California-based retail company renowned for its vibrant light show gloves, closed its doors in January 2023 after 12 years of serving the rave community. Founder Brian Lim, who appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2015, accepted a deal from investors Mark Cuban and Daymond John. Despite initial success, the company faced insurmountable challenges, including a gloving ban at major festivals and the global pandemic, ultimately leading to its closure.
As of 2024, Emazing Lights is estimated to have a net worth of $20 million. This figure reflects the company's growth and success in the market. Additionally, Emazing Lights reported annual revenue of $880,000 in the previous year, showcasing its financial performance and stability.
Emazing Lights experienced significant success after appearing on Shark Tank. The exposure from the show helped to increase brand recognition and drive sales. Additionally, securing a deal with one of the Sharks provided not only financial investment but also valuable expertise and guidance. As a result, Emazing Lights expanded its product offerings, enhanced its marketing strategies, and solidified its position as a leader in the LED rave and light show industry.
Author's note: This is a series of articles featuring 1st generation and 2nd generation entrepreneurs in America to showcase their immigrant story and how they worked hard to start their businesses. The author himself is an immigrant entrepreneur who moved to the United States from Singapore.