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Why did Besomebody Fail?

What Happened to Besomebody & Why Did It Fail?

January 25, 2025

Besomebody was a business innovation firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio, offering recruiting, training, and job placement services. Initially gaining attention through a blog and an app, it rose to prominence despite a failed Shark Tank pitch. However, it eventually faced challenges, leading to its decline and reorganization.

What Was Besomebody?

Besomebody

Besomebody's main product was the Besomebody Paths training program, offering hands-on skills training with guaranteed job placements. Its unique value proposition was the comprehensive service suite, including recruiting, training, and job placement. Notable achievements include being named one of the top 50 fastest-growing companies in America and acquiring Pixelbug.

What Happened to Besomebody?

The story of Besomebody is a compelling tale of ambition, innovation, and eventual decline, marked by several pivotal moments:

  • Initial Popularity and Growth: Besomebody quickly gained traction through its engaging blog and app, capturing the interest of a wide audience. The company was recognized as one of the top 50 fastest-growing companies in America, showcasing its early success.
  • Shark Tank Setback: Despite its initial momentum, Besomebody faced a significant challenge when it failed to secure funding on Shark Tank. This public setback raised questions about the company's business model and long-term viability.
  • Acquisition of Pixelbug: In an effort to diversify and strengthen its offerings, Besomebody acquired Pixelbug, a company specializing in augmented reality. This move was aimed at enhancing its training programs and expanding its technological capabilities.
  • Operational Challenges: As Besomebody expanded, it encountered operational difficulties that strained its resources. The comprehensive service suite, while innovative, proved challenging to scale effectively, leading to internal inefficiencies.
  • Reorganization and Decline: Ultimately, Besomebody's ambitious vision could not sustain its operational and financial pressures. The company underwent reorganization, marking the end of its initial journey and a shift towards a new direction.

When Did Besomebody Shut Down?

Besomebody shut down in early 2017, following its failed attempt to secure funding on Shark Tank and subsequent operational challenges. The company faced significant financial pressures that ultimately led to its closure.

Why Did Besomebody Shut Down?

  1. Failed Shark Tank Pitch: Besomebody's inability to secure funding on Shark Tank was a major blow. The public rejection raised doubts about the company's business model and long-term viability, leading to a loss of investor confidence and making it difficult to attract new funding.
  2. Operational Inefficiencies: As the company expanded, it struggled with scaling its comprehensive service suite. The ambitious vision of offering recruiting, training, and job placement services proved challenging to manage, resulting in internal inefficiencies and strained resources.
  3. Financial Pressures: Besomebody faced significant financial challenges that ultimately led to its closure. The costs associated with maintaining and expanding its operations outpaced revenue, creating unsustainable financial pressure that the company could not overcome.
  4. Market Misalignment: The company's offerings did not align well with market demands. Despite initial interest, the market for Besomebody's services was not as large or as lucrative as anticipated, leading to difficulties in sustaining growth and profitability.
  5. Leadership Challenges: Leadership decisions and strategic missteps contributed to the company's decline. The ambitious goals set by the executives were not matched by effective execution, leading to a series of challenges that the company could not surmount.

Lessons Learned from Besomebody's Failure

  • Validate Market Demand: Ensure there is a substantial and sustainable market for your product or service before scaling operations.
  • Effective Leadership: Strong leadership and strategic decision-making are crucial for navigating growth and operational challenges.
  • Scalability: Develop a business model that can scale efficiently without overextending resources or creating internal inefficiencies.
  • Financial Management: Maintain a balanced approach to growth and financial health to avoid unsustainable financial pressures.
  • Adaptability: Be prepared to pivot and adapt to changing market conditions and feedback to stay relevant and competitive.
  • Investor Confidence: Building and maintaining investor confidence is essential for securing funding and long-term viability.
  • Execution Over Ambition: Ambitious goals must be matched by effective execution to ensure successful implementation and growth.

We Shut Down Startups

Besomebody's journey underscores the complexities and challenges that startups face, often leading to difficult decisions like winding down. If you're in a similar situation, Sunset can help you navigate the legal, tax, and operational burdens seamlessly.

Don't let the stress of shutting down a startup overwhelm you. Book a demo with Sunset today and move on to your next venture with confidence.