In the ever-modernizing world of innovative products, Blowzee has caught the attention of many entrepreneurs and investors. This unique candle-blowing device has made waves since its appearance on the popular TV show Shark Tank, sparking curiosity about its financial success. As interest grows, many wonder about the Blowzee net worth and its journey from a novel concept to a marketable product.

The Blowzee story is one of innovation and perseverance. This article delves into the origins of the product, its memorable Shark Tank pitch, and its performance following the show. We’ll explore the current net worth of Blowzee as of 2023, compare it to its value in 2022, and provide an update on its business status since the Shark Tank appearance. By examining these aspects, we aim to give a clear picture of Blowzee’s financial journey and market position.

the blowzee shark tank

What is the Blowzee?

The Blowzee is an innovative device designed to address a common hygiene concern at birthday celebrations. This unique invention allows people to blow out birthday candles without spreading germs on the cake. About the size of a piccolo or recorder, the Blowzee is a tube-like apparatus with a fan at one end, powered by a combination of human breath and a lithium battery.

How it works

The Blowzee operates on a simple yet effective principle. When a person blows into the open end of the device, it activates a sensor. This sensor then triggers a battery-powered fan at the opposite end. The fan spins, producing a stream of clean air that effectively extinguishes the candles. Meanwhile, the user’s breath is redirected away from the cake, ensuring that no oral debris or germs come into contact with the dessert.

This clever design allows for a hygienic celebration without sacrificing the traditional fun of blowing out birthday candles. The Blowzee can be easily wiped clean after use, although it is not dishwasher-safe.

Inspiration behind the invention

The idea for the Blowzee came from a real-life experience that many people can relate to. In January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau attended a child’s birthday party. They witnessed an unappetizing scene when the birthday child, who was feeling unwell and congested, attempted to blow out the candles on the cake. The result was a spray of spit and mucus over the dessert, leaving the other guests feeling grossed out.

This incident sparked a conversation between Apelt and Lareau about the strange tradition of blowing out birthday candles. They realized that this practice was essentially blowing germs all over food that would then be served to friends and family. As they discussed the matter, they wondered if they were being overly concerned about germs.

However, their concerns were validated when the COVID-19 pandemic hit shortly after. The global health crisis brought hygiene practices into sharp focus, making everyone more aware of germ transmission. This turn of events transformed their initial joke into a serious invention idea.

Product specifications

  1. Size: Comparable to a piccolo or recorder
  2. Power source: Combination of human breath and a lithium battery (included)
  3. Operation: Breath activates a sensor, which turns on the fan
  4. Price: $9.99 per unit
  5. Manufacturing cost: $3.20 per unit (landed cost)
  6. Cleaning: Can be wiped clean, not dishwasher-safe

The Blowzee has seen rapid growth since its inception. Within five months of launch, the company had sold 1,200 units, generating approximately $12,000 in revenue. The product is sold both through retail channels and directly to consumers.

Looking ahead, the creators of Blowzee see significant potential for product expansion. They have already produced an order of 5,000 blue Blowzees and are exploring options for customization. Future plans include creating themed Blowzees, such as Spider-Man or Darth Vader designs, to appeal to children of different ages.

The Blowzee represents a timely solution to a long-standing hygiene issue, combining innovation with practicality. As societal norms around hygiene continue to evolve, products like the Blowzee are likely to gain more prominence in celebrations and everyday life.

Blowzee’s Shark Tank Appearance

Pitch Details

Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau stepped into the Shark Tank during Season 13, seeking $100,000 for a 20% stake in their company, Blowzee. They introduced their product as a safer way to celebrate birthdays. To demonstrate the need for their invention, they brought a cake and showed how traditional candle-blowing spreads germs. They cited a study from the Journal of Food Research, which found that blowing out candles on a cake increases bacteria by more than 1,400%.

The entrepreneurs explained how Blowzee works: when someone blows into the open end, air pressure activates a battery-powered fan. Clean air then blows out the candles while the user’s breath is directed away from the cake. They emphasized that Blowzee preserves the tradition of making wishes while eliminating the unhygienic aspect of birthday celebrations.

Sharks’ Reactions

Initially, the Sharks were intrigued by the concept. They tried out the Blowzee themselves, with Robert Herjavec noting that it was fun to use. The Sharks were impressed by the engineering behind the product, especially considering the low development cost of less than $2,000. They appreciated how Apelt and Lareau had utilized global resources to create a complex product on a tight budget.

Daymond John expressed that he wished Blowzee had been around when he was a kid, sharing an anecdote about a neighbor with poor hygiene. The Sharks acknowledged the increased awareness of hygiene due to recent events and agreed that societal norms around such practices had changed.

However, when it came to the business aspects, the Sharks’ enthusiasm waned. They learned that Blowzee had only generated $12,000 in sales over five months of business. This low figure raised concerns about the product’s marketability and potential for growth.

Outcome of the Pitch

Despite the initial interest, all five Sharks ultimately decided not to invest in Blowzee. Their reasons varied:

  1. Kevin O’Leary was the first to go out, stating he disliked everything about the product.
  2. Mark Cuban followed, saying it wasn’t enough for him to invest.
  3. Daymond John didn’t see it as an investable opportunity.
  4. Robert Herjavec, while finding the product fun, couldn’t envision people making repeat purchases.
  5. Lori Greiner voiced concerns about inconsistent sales due to the product’s occasional use nature.

The Sharks’ main concerns centered around Blowzee being more of a product than a full-fledged business. They struggled to see how it could generate consistent sales and questioned its potential for repeat purchases. While they acknowledged the entrepreneurs’ creativity and execution, the lack of substantial sales figures and a clear path to scalability ultimately led to their decision not to invest.

Despite leaving without a deal, Apelt and Lareau received praise for their entrepreneurial spirit. The Sharks commended them for embodying the essence of Shark Tank – taking an idea from concept to product with minimal resources. They encouraged the duo to invest more in marketing and make bigger bets to scale their business, recognizing the potential market for their product given that everyone has birthdays and dislikes “spitty cake.”

In the end, while Blowzee didn’t secure an investment on Shark Tank, the exposure and feedback from the Sharks provided valuable insights for the entrepreneurs to consider in their future business strategies.

Blowzee’s Performance After Shark Tank

Initial sales boost

Blowzee’s appearance on Shark Tank, despite not securing a deal, had a significant impact on the company’s performance. The exposure from the show resulted in an unprecedented surge in sales. Within a mere two and a half hours of the episode’s broadcast, Blowzee completely sold out its inventory on Amazon. This rapid sell-out occurred even before the episode had finished airing on the West Coast, highlighting the immediate and powerful effect of the Shark Tank exposure.

The scale of this sales boost was remarkable. Mark Lareau and Mark Apelt, the co-founders of Blowzee, reported that the amount sold during this brief period far exceeded their total sales from the first five months of business. This dramatic increase in sales volume demonstrated the potent “Shark Tank effect” and its ability to catapult a product into the spotlight.

The entrepreneurs were overwhelmed by the response, describing it as “crazy.” Lareau likened the exposure to “essentially the equivalent of a multi-million dollar ad campaign.” This comparison underscores the immense value of appearing on Shark Tank, even without securing an investment from the Sharks.

Media coverage

The Shark Tank appearance not only boosted sales but also garnered significant media attention for Blowzee. The product was featured in several high-profile publications and media outlets, further amplifying its reach and visibility.

Print and online media: Blowzee was featured in prominent publications such as:

  • Real Simple
  • New York Post
  • Best Products

Television exposure: Perhaps the most exciting media coverage for the Blowzee team was a shoutout from Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show.” For Mark Apelt, this mention was the “true icing on the cake,” highlighting the broad appeal and interest in their innovative product.

The media coverage extended beyond traditional outlets. The company’s email inbox was flooded with messages from Shark Tank viewers who were enthusiastic about the Blowzee. This direct engagement with potential customers provided valuable feedback and demonstrated the product’s appeal to a wide audience.

Challenges faced

Despite the initial success and media attention, Blowzee faced significant challenges in sustaining its momentum. Several factors contributed to these difficulties:

  1. Inventory management: After the post-Shark Tank sales surge, Blowzee faced a substantial inventory shortage. Mark Lareau mentioned that it would take about 90 days for new inventory to arrive. This extended period without product availability likely impacted the company’s ability to capitalize on the immediate post-show interest.
  2. Limited repeat purchases: As Robert Herjavec pointed out during the Shark Tank pitch, Blowzee was a product that typically only needed to be purchased once and was used on special occasions. This characteristic limited the potential for repeat sales and posed challenges for long-term business growth.
  3. Maintaining interest: The 90-day wait for new inventory provided ample time for potential investors and merchants to lose interest. The initial enthusiasm generated by the Shark Tank appearance may have waned during this period, making it difficult for Blowzee to maintain its momentum.
  4. Scaling challenges: While the Shark Tank exposure provided a significant boost, scaling the business proved to be a challenge. The company struggled to transition from the initial surge of interest to a sustainable business model.

As of April 2023, Blowzee’s future appears uncertain. The company’s website is no longer operational, and the product is unavailable on Amazon. This situation has raised questions about the long-term viability of the business following its initial success.

The Blowzee case illustrates both the opportunities and challenges presented by appearing on Shark Tank. While the show can provide invaluable exposure and a significant sales boost, sustaining that success and building a long-term, viable business remains a formidable challenge for many entrepreneurs.

Current Net Worth and Business Status

The journey of Blowzee from a simple idea to a Shark Tank sensation showcases the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Its innovative approach to address a common hygiene concern had an impact on the market, leading to a surge in sales and media attention. However, the challenges of inventory management and maintaining momentum after the initial boost highlight the complexities of building a sustainable business.

Blowzee’s story serves as a lesson to aspiring entrepreneurs about the opportunities and hurdles that come with exposure on platforms like Shark Tank. While the immediate success was impressive, the long-term viability of the product remains uncertain. This case underscores the importance of strategic planning and adaptability to turn a novel concept into a thriving business venture.

FAQs About Blowzee Net Worth:

Did Blowzee get a deal on Shark Tank?

Blowzee did not secure a deal on Shark Tank. The innovative product, designed to keep cakes free from germs by blowing out candles without spreading saliva, impressed the sharks but did not result in an investment. Despite this, the exposure from the show helped increase its visibility and sales. The company’s progress can be tracked through updates on its financial growth, including blowzee net worth and blowzee shark tank net worth.

What happened to Blowzee after Shark Tank?

After appearing on Shark Tank, Blowzee experienced a significant boost in sales and public interest. The product continued to gain popularity for its unique approach to maintaining hygiene during celebrations. While the company did not get a deal on the show, the publicity helped it grow. As of the latest updates, blowzee net worth 2023 and blowzee net worth shark tank update indicate steady growth and increased market presence compared to blowzee net worth 2022.