Naman Shrestha
For centuries, many of us have struggled with eye irritation associated with chopping onions; be it one or a bunch of them, the tears always follow. Claiming to have come up with a simple yet effective solution for the tears, Glenn Smith introduced the Fanion to the world. Aimed at preventing onion tears and making meal preparation more enjoyable, the innovative fan is presented by the founder and his daughter in the 18th episode of ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 16. Through his presentation, Glenn hoped to get at least one of the Sharks on board and help him take the culinary product to newer heights.
Fanion: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Before bringing Fanion into existence, Glenn Smith spent decades building his professional career. After graduating from the Lovett School in 1984, he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in European History from Washington and Lee University. In 1992, he began working as a Grain and Feed Ingredient Merchant at Central States Enterprises, Inc. From 1995 to 2003, he was employed at Edward E. Smith and Company as a Grain and Feed Broker, before switching to Alabama Farmers Coop, Inc. For nearly the next nine years, he served as the Manager of Grain Merchandising.
After gaining several years of experience in the industry, he landed a job at Wayne Farms LLC, where he was employed as the Director of Feed Ingredient Procurement. Next, he took the responsibility of becoming the Vice President of Ingredient Purchasing at Fieldale Farms Corporation in March 2022. Since October 2023, he has been serving as the Executive Vice President of Ingredient Procurement and Grain Risk Management at the same company. On the side, Glenn was working on something revolutionary, alongside his wife, Tyler, and their daughters, Madison and Chapin. Although the Smiths have had a deep passion for cooking, they found chopping onions more than just a task because it led to eye irritation.
Upon cutting onions, they tend to release fumes consisting of methionine and cystine, which react with the air and form sulphuric acid. In turn, when the fumes come into contact with the lacrimal glands in the eyes, they lead to irritation and tears. Glenn and his family tried every other “hack” that they found on Instagram and TikTok to prevent the onion tears, be it using an extra-sharp knife or running the knife under ice-cold water before chopping the onions. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to work. Looking for an effective and simple solution, he took matters into his own hands and began working on a product. After a couple of years of prototyping and designing, the Fanion was born in 2023.
It might be a small product, but it solves a mighty culinary problem that has troubled almost every other chef. Shaped like an onion, it is a cordless, battery-powered, and convenient kitchen fan that blows the onion fumes away from the cutter and prevents them from reaching the eyes. Given its small size and cordless design, the users can place the Fanion anywhere without any problem whatsoever, whether it is your countertop or the kitchen table. The product also comes with a long-lasting battery, allowing you to chop and dice the onions without interruption. Moreover, when it is not in use, the onion-like design works as a conversation starter with guests and adds an extra touch of elegance to your kitchen.
Fanion: Where Are They Now?
Since making their products available for purchase online in November 2023, Fanion has helped many households across the country enjoy the process of cutting onions by making it convenient and tear-free. Whether you wish to cut it in bunches for meal prep or need a little for a quick sandwich or salad, it is versatile and can serve as your go-to companion in the kitchen. By garnering positive reviews from its customers, the company has proved that it has been delivering on its promise to keep the ferocious fumes at bay. In 2023 alone, it found a place on the Holiday Gift Guide of influencers Chatty Patty’s Place and Home Jobs By Mom. Not only that, but Great American Recipe chef and digital creator Ted Pappas also partnered with the team and raved about “great little device” being “perfect for the holidays.”
2024 started with a bang for Fanion as the team found a chance to display the innovative product at the AmericasMart Atlanta in January. In April, the product was featured on the ‘View Your Deal’ segment of ABC’s ‘The View.’ In the same month, the onion cutter came under the radar of Grommet, which found it innovative enough to promote to a broader audience. Fanion also set up a booth at the Vidalia Onion Festival in Vidalia, Georgia, in the final week of April and received a lot of love from the people gathered to enjoy live music from their favorite country music stars. In addition, the Market on Church also showcased a demo of the product.
In the initial phases of the business, the Fanions were only available on the company’s official website. But in December 2024, the company took a huge step and listed its products on Amazon too. The Fanion Cordless Kitchen Prep Fan is available in multiple colors — Red Onion, White Onion, Sweet Onion, and Yellow Onion — at the price of $15.99 USD. Ever since its launch, the consumers have had nothing but nice things to say about the product as it effectively takes care of the tear-jerking fumes that come from onion cutting. As of today, Fanion has garnered a decent fanbase that also includes the winner of ‘Food Network Star’ season 12 — Tregaye Fraser, as well as actor, singer, and cheese board maker Kate Woerner.
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