Shark Tank Recap: Mensch on a Bench, Eve Drop, Hoppy Paws, Q-Flex Acupuncture

Four new companies entered the Shark Tank Friday, December 12 in a special holiday-themed episode of the ABC series. Not all were met with presents from the Sharks -- some left with the proverbial lump of coal.

Company: Mensch on a Bench

What It Is: Created by former toy executive Neal Hoffman (a family friend of the author of this article), "Mensch on a Bench" is the Hanukkah answer to "Elf on a Shelf." The product is a book paired with a doll, which families are encouraged to move around in secret to motivate their kids to behave over the holiday.

The company describes itself as follows on its website.

Mensch on a Bench was created by a Jewish father who wanted to teach his sons about the Jewish holiday while adding new traditions to the family. First came the story of Moshe the Mensch who helped Judah Maccabee at the temple. Moshe played dreidel, loved gelt, and was a true Mensch. Next came the doll which could hold the Shamash candle and watch over the Menorah.

The Ask: $150,000 for 10%

How It Went Down: Mark Cuban seemed initially unimpressed, exclaiming "oh, lord" as soon as the Mensch was introduced.

Hoffman explained that the item is more than a toy, it's an educational tool, and the Jewish community is behind it.

The company sold 2,000 Mensch on Bench items in 2013. Now, the company is set to do 60,000 units and nearly $1 million in sales.

Kevin O'Leary expressed concern that the company could grow beyond Mensch on a Bench. He suggested the business is just a hobby that could not grow to $10 million.

Cuban said "it seems like you want to grow yourself into bankruptcy" before dropping out.

Robert Herjavec expressed interest as did Lori Grenier. They offered $150,000 for 30% of the company.

Hoffman pushed back on that number and offered a personal guarantee that the $150,000 would be returned in three years.

Barbara Corcoran said that would not be needed and offered $150,000 for 20%, but added the contingency that the doll be redesigned so it looks friendly and huggable. She also wanted Hoffman to drop the rules at the end of the book.

Herjavec and Grenier accepted Hoffman's offer.

Company: Eve Drop

What It Is: Eve Drop makes hanging Christmas lights easier. The company describes its as a one of a kind holiday lighting apparatus that enables homeowners to convert holiday lights to backlights.

"If you want to avoid climbing ladders and installing lights just to take them down again a few weeks later, then Eve Drop is right for you," the company wrote on its website.

"With Eve Drop, you can simply raise your lights to store them safely under your eaves, and drop them for the holidays.

This can be done all in a matter of seconds and with your feet securely planted on the ground."

The Ask: $75,000 for 20%

How It Went Down: Nathan Schaffer showed his product to the Sharks explaining that it made it easy to move lights from storage mode to display mode.

The company has only $4,500 in sales over its life, all raised on Kickstarter.

Cuban had issue with the $9.99 cost of the product, given that a house needs more than one. He dropped out.

O'Leary said he hated the idea and dropped out.

Herjavec dropped out next.

Corcoran called Shaffer "not persuasvie" and said she "mistrusted his judgment," but after listening to him hesitated on dropping out.

Grenier did not think the company was ready yet and dropped out.

That left Corcoran who dropped out.

Company: Hoppy Paws

What It Is: Hoppy Paws was started by a family which describes it a family tradition."On the night before Easter I would stay up late and wait until my three daughters were asleep.

That night I would create stencils in the shape of an Easter Bunny paw print.Then, I begin the process of making a trail of cute little Easter Bunny prints," the company wrote on its website.

Now the company has kits for reindeer, the Tooth Fairy, and more -- basically for all the lies parents tell children about imaginary people who bring presents.

The Ask: $50,000 for 10% of her company

How It Went Down: Trina Barkouras told the story of her product with a poor version of "Night Before Christmas." The Sharks seemed immediately dismissive.

O'Leary said it was seasonal, but Barkouras countered by listing the holidays she had version for.

The company had only been in business for 90 days when it came to the Tank. Barkouras wants the money to add machining and inventory.

Cuban seemed impressed with her hustle.

Herjavec questioned whether a market existed and dropped out.

O'Leary offered $5,000 and Cuban agreed to put up $5,000 as well, then the Sharks started talking, but Corcoran cut it off.

Corcoran asked her to limit the amount of products she makes and Barkouras agreed. She offered $100,000 for 50%.

Barkouras came back at 49% and a deal was made.

Company: Q-Flex Acupuncture

What It Is: This is a do-it-yourself acupuncture kit for under $30, which should immediately raise some questions.

The fact that the company has no website -- or at least none that can be found via a Google search -- and a limited social media presence should also raise some red flags.

It's also the only non-holiday themed item on this holiday-themed episode.

The Ask: $20,000 for 20%

How It Went Down: The product, which is actually an accupressure item, despite the name, was presented to the Sharks by a mom and her 13-year-old daughter and they presented it as a cure for back pain.

The duo has sold 800 of the item selling door to door from $25 to $36. They are working on getting a patent for the product.

Herjavec was concerned that the product could easily be knocked off and whether there is any science behind it.

O'Leary questioned whether either the mom or daughter was qualified to run the business. He called it a hobby, not a business and dropped out.

Grenier said she had sold a similar product and it did not work. She dropped out.

Herjavec said he did not believe in the product and dropped out.

Cuban and Corcoran offered $20,000 for 25% and offered to run the company. The offer was accepted.