A proposal from your co-founder & wife
This is a 3-minute read. One ask, one trigger, zero pressure today.
And yes — the holidays are safe. Keep scrolling.
Where we are
FDA approval is expected in July. Shellworks packaging runs Aug–Oct. Manufacturing starts in Chicago in November. Sunscreen launches Q1 2027.
Angels have already invested $18,000 in us, and we're putting in $15,000 of our own from the tax back. After all of that, the gap to launch is $20,000.
That gap is the only thing between everything we've built and an actual product in the world.
First, the most important part
The job search continues at full intensity — that income is how we fund our life and close gaps. Nothing in this proposal touches Plan A. This is only about what happens if Plan A hasn't landed by September 1.
Because the production timeline doesn't wait for the job market. If we pre-agree the backup today, we never have to have a stressed money conversation in September. We just execute whichever plan won.
Now, the fun part
Dad will match whatever extra we invest, dollar for dollar. No VC has ever offered those terms. So:
A 100% instant return. The gap: closed. Fully. In one move.
| Gap to launch | $20,000 |
| Our $10K + Dad's $10K | −$20,000 |
| Gap remaining | $0 |
What you keep
$9,000 of the tax return stays ring-fenced for holidays and living. Untouchable. It's literally a clause in the term sheet.
We're giving up the pool this summer — $2,000 back in the family budget. Our lifestyle gives first — mine and the kids'. (We'd like this sacrifice noted for the historical record.)
Your bonus is likely to be strong, and by then the sunscreen exists and is selling — which puts us in a far stronger position to raise angel investment, with a real product and real sales instead of promises. This is the last gap we close from our own pocket.
Why not just wait?
Every investor conversation points the same way: traction first, then raise. Until the sunscreen is selling, raising means weak terms or closed doors. So if the gap doesn't close, the timeline slips — and the $33K already committed (the angels' and ours) just… sits there. This deal protects the money already in.
The ask
If I land a job before Sept 1: this never happens, and we never speak of it again.
If I don't: we're already agreed, Dad matches, and we launch.
Gap: closed. You magnificent, sensible man.
The term sheet is printed and waiting for your signature.
(The Pool Clause is real. I checked.)
Make it official — send confirmation 📧
Opens a pre-written email to HQ & Siobhan. You just press send.