Our Story
Our story
The birth of QFlex
It all began with a daughter's wish to help her mom.
When Andrea Cao was just 13, she watched her mother, Hong Cao, come home exhausted from long nursing shifts, struggling every day with an aching back. Hong would often ask Andrea to rub her back for some relief, a task Andrea quickly grew tired of. One day, Andrea playfully challenged her mom.
"Why don't you do it yourself?"Hong laughed, "How can I touch my back?"
The first QFlex
From backpack to business
Inspired, Andrea started building. After experimenting with PVC pipe, wood, metal and all kinds of plastics, she crafted the very first QFlex: an ergonomically shaped acupressure hook that lets you reach and release tension on your own.
"I went door to door selling them, anywhere I could. I was dealing them out of my backpack."Andrea Cao
Hong, skeptical at first but always supportive, smiled as her daughter's determination turned a playful challenge into a real product.
As seen on Shark Tank
Into the Shark Tank
Andrea's enthusiasm led to an ambitious next step: pitching QFlex on ABC's Shark Tank. Together, Andrea and Hong went to an open casting call, where Andrea delivered a pitch she had written herself. The casting directors loved it, and the mother and daughter team was invited to pitch in front of the Sharks.
When the day finally came, their heartfelt story touched the Sharks, but it was QFlex itself that sealed the deal.
"It took out every bad muscle in my back, just like that!"
"Wow, this really does feel good!"
"I'm okay with you quitting school. That would show me commitment."
Their demonstration earned investments from Barbara Corcoran and Mark Cuban, and put QFlex in front of the whole country.
After Shark Tank
A household name
After Shark Tank, QFlex grew into a household name, landing in major retailers like Walmart and Brookstone and earning national attention through Good Morning America, Forbes and QVC.
The brand kept growing, becoming a popular choice on Amazon and building a strong following on TikTok. Through it all, QFlex is still proudly made in America from premium materials.
"It's amazing working with my mom. She does so much and is my inspiration."Andrea Cao
QFlex today
Helping people feel better every day
Today, more than 25,000 customers have found relief with QFlex. From athletes and office workers to grandparents, QFlex has become a trusted companion for simple, everyday relief.
For Andrea and Hong, the success of QFlex goes beyond numbers and recognition. It's about helping others and bringing real relief into their lives. What started as a daughter's gift to her mother has grown into a trusted tool for anyone looking for relief they can count on.
At QFlex, we're still committed to Andrea and Hong's vision: helping people feel better every day, one QFlex at a time.
