You don’t want to end your birthday without making a wish. But blowing out candles can leave your cake covered in germs. Founded by Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau, Blowzee is a fun device that you can blow on without worrying about germs. It was featured on Shark Tank but didn’t land a deal. As of 2024, Blowzee is estimated to be worth $300,000.
Founder Profile
Mark Appelt and Mark LaRoe are hard-working fathers from Henrico, Virginia. Appelt graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Environmental Science and also worked as an engineer and teacher. LaRoe, whose educational background is less known, worked as a supply chain management and logistics consultant.
The Marks met because their sons were friends. One day, they attended another child’s birthday party. Due to the right lighting, they witnessed how much saliva the child spit into the cake when blowing out the candles.
Founding Blowzee
Appelt, with the help of his son Jack, spent 15 months designing a device with sensors and a fan that, when air blows through it, removes saliva and bacteria.
The Apelt family partnered with Mark Lareau, leveraging his business knowledge and logistics experience. They were able to produce the product overseas at a low cost. Together, they invested $32,000 to start the company and launched operations in early 2020. Five months later, they were doing $12,000 in sales.
Shark Tank Appearance
The two men appeared on Season 13 of Shark Tank seeking $100,000 in exchange for 20% equity. Considering their low sales, a $500,000 valuation was quite high. They pitched professionally and handed out samples to the Shark Tank crowd.
Once the two posted their sales, it became clear that they were not going to make a deal. Kevin O’Leary thought $12,000 was nothing in terms of revenue. All the sharks liked the product, but it wasn’t at the stage where they could invest. Additionally, Robert thought they needed to develop more products to be a viable business.
Success after Shark Tank
Prior to appearing on Shark Tank, Apelt and Lareau’s product was featured in publications including The New York Post and Real Simple. The product also received praise from TV host Jimmy Fallon.
After the show aired, the founders revealed that their stock was sold out in 2.5 hours. They did not disclose revenue, but sold more than 1,200 units in five months.
Today, the company still sells the product through its website, Amazon, and some local stores in Richmond. More than 158 customers have purchased the product on Amazon, with an average rating of four stars. Currently, the product is out of stock on both its website and Amazon.
Given the pandemic, many consider it a party essential. Although Blowzee has not yet released any sales figures, the company’s market value is estimated at $300,000. The company’s next challenge will be to maintain steady sales after the hype of “Shark Tank” fades.
Categories: Shark Tank
Source: dut.edu.vn
