Montclair State University alumnus Tog Samphel earned a $150,000 deal on Friday night’s episode of “Shark Tank.” Impressed by his AnyTongs invention, a plastic handle that turns any two utensils into tongs, the “sharks” pooled their resources together to finance the venture.

Samphel’s journey to success began with a Kickstarter campaign, which he launched in 2020 to raise $10,000 to launch his business. It ultimately brought in over $30,000, which caught the attention of “Shark Tank” producers. After eight months of auditions, Samphel headed off to California for his chance to pitch his product to the sharks.

Samphel graduated from MSU in August 2022 with his degree in Visual Arts and previously worked in digital product design and user experience. His AnyTong product boasts convenience, affordability, cleanliness, and durability and is available on Amazon. Believing in Samphel and the potential of AnyTong, the sharks agreed to front the $150,000 investment.

Not only did Samphel succeed in his deal, but he also made a strong statement against hustle culture. His creation is available online and reminds customers that it’s possible to bring a business idea to life - no matter when the inspiration strikes.