You don’t wish to finish your birthday with out making a want. But by blowing out the candles, you cowl your cake with micro organism. Founded by Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau, Blowzee is a enjoyable system you possibly can blow by way of with out worrying about germs. It was featured on Shark Tank however didn’t get a deal. As of 2024, Blowzee is value an estimated $300,000.
About the Founders
Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau are arduous-working dads from Henrico, Virginia. Apelt is an environmental science graduate from the University of Virginia, he additionally has expertise as an engineer and a instructor. Not a lot is understood about Lareau’s academic background, he labored in provide chain administration and logistics as a marketing consultant.
The two Marks know one another as a result of their sons are pals. One day, they attended the birthday celebration of one other little one. Because the lighting was proper, they witnessed how a lot spit went into the cake when the child blew his candles.
Founding the Company
Apelt with the assistance of his son Jake spent 15 months designing a tool with a sensor and a sort of fan to eliminate saliva and germs if you blow by way of it.
The Apelt household partnered with Mark Lareau for his enterprise information and expertise in logistics. They have been capable of manufacture the product cheaply abroad. Together, they invested $32,000 to begin the enterprise and launched it in early 2020. Five months later, they generated $12,000 in gross sales.
Shark Tank Appearance
The guys appeared on season 13 of Shark Tank, in search of $100,000 in alternate for 20% fairness. A $500,000 valuation was fairly excessive contemplating how low their gross sales have been. They made knowledgeable pitch and handed out samples to the Sharks.
Once the duo revealed their gross sales, it was clear they wouldn’t get a deal. Kevin O’Leary thought $12,000 is nothing with regards to income. All the Sharks favored the product however it wasn’t at a stage the place it was investible. Also, Robert believed they would want to develop extra merchandise to develop into a possible enterprise.
After Shark Tank
Before getting onto Shark Tank, Apelt and Lareau had already obtained their product featured in a number of publications such because the New York Post and Real Simple. It additionally obtained reward from tv host Jimmy Fallon.
After their episode aired, the founders revealed they bought out of stock inside 2 and a half hours. They wouldn’t reveal how a lot income they made however it was greater than 1,200 items they bought in 5 months.
Today, the corporate continues to be promoting by way of its web site, Amazon, and a few native shops in Richmond. Over 158 prospects bought the product on Amazon and rated it 4 stars on common. Currently, the product is out of inventory on their web site and on Amazon.
Many individuals imagine it’s a celebration necessity given the pandemic. Although Blowzee is but to launch any gross sales numbers, the corporate is value an estimated $300,000. The subsequent problem for the corporate will probably be driving constant gross sales after the hype has died down from Shark Tank.
