Blowzee, the ingenious device that aims to revolutionize the way we celebrate birthdays, has been making waves since its appearance on the popular TV show Shark Tank. Founded by the dynamic duo of Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau, Blowzee has captivated audiences with its innovative approach to addressing the age-old problem of germs spreading during the beloved tradition of blowing out candles. But what is Blowzee’s current net worth, and how has the company fared since its Shark Tank debut? Let’s dive in and explore the fascinating story behind this innovative product.
Who is Blowzee?
Blowzee is a revolutionary device designed to solve the problem of germs spreading during the birthday candle-blowing tradition. Invented by Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau, two fathers from Henrico, Virginia, Blowzee is an electronic sensor-powered fan attached to the candle-blowing end. When a person blows into the device, the sensor detects the air pressure and activates the fan, creating a gentle, germ-free breeze to extinguish the candles.
Who Is The Founder Of Blowzee?
Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau are the co-founders of Blowzee. Apelt, an environmental science graduate from the University of Virginia, has a background in engineering and teaching, while Lareau’s expertise lies in supply chain management and logistics. The two friends came up with the idea for Blowzee after witnessing the amount of saliva and germs spread during a birthday party for their son’s friend.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Blowzee?
Apelt and Lareau brought their innovative Blowzee invention to Shark Tank, seeking $100,000 in exchange for a 20% equity stake in their company. They demonstrated the product during their pitch and impressed the Sharks with its unique functionality. However, the low sales numbers of just $12,000 over five months raised concerns among the investors. Ultimately, the Sharks decided not to invest, as they were uncertain about the product’s long-term viability and potential for growth.
| Entrepreneurs | Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau |
|---|---|
| Business | Device to reduce germs while blowing out candles (Blowzee) |
| Ask | $100,000 for 20% equity |
| Result | No Deal |
| Shark | None |
Blowzee Shark Tank Update:
Despite leaving Shark Tank without a deal, Apelt and Lareau generated significant interest in Blowzee following their appearance on the show. The product was featured in various media outlets, including the New York Post and Real Simple, and even received praise from television host Jimmy Fallon. The founders reported that they sold out of inventory within two and a half hours after their Shark Tank episode aired, though they did not disclose the exact revenue figures.
| Update Content | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment Outcome | No deal secured |
| Current Status | Company no longer in business |
| Product Availability | Unavailable online |
| Website Status | Website down |
What Happened To Blowzee After Shark Tank?
After the Shark Tank episode, Blowzee continued to sell through its website, Amazon, and some local stores in Richmond, Virginia. The product received positive customer reviews, with an average rating of 4 stars on Amazon. However, as of 2024, the Blowzee website is no longer operational, and the product appears to be out of stock on Amazon, indicating that the company may have faced challenges maintaining consistent sales and operations.
Blowzee Net Worth:
Despite the company’s uncertain status, Blowzee’s current net worth is estimated to be around $300,000. This estimation is based on the product’s initial success following the Shark Tank appearance, as well as the potential value of the intellectual property and the brand’s recognition, even if the company is no longer actively operating.
Blowzee Growth and Operations:
During the early stages of the business, Apelt and Lareau were able to manufacture the Blowzee product cost-effectively overseas and invest $32,000 to launch the company. The initial sales of $12,000 over five months, while not enough to impress the Sharks, showed promise for the product’s potential. However, it’s unclear if the founders could scale the business and maintain consistent growth after their Shark Tank appearance.
| Founders | Mark Apelt and Mark Lareau |
|---|---|
| Background | Apelt: Environmental science, engineering, teaching |
| Lareau: Supply chain management, logistics | |
| Founding Story | Developed due to concerns over spreading germs from birthday candles |
| Investment | Initial investment of $32,000 |
| Launch | Early 2020 |
| Sales | $12,000 in the first five months |
Blowzee Marketing and Sales:
Blowzee’s marketing efforts were focused on leveraging the power of media exposure, with features in publications like the New York Post and Real Simple and praise from television personalities. This helped generate awareness and initial sales for the product. However, it seems the company struggled to sustain momentum and drive consistent sales after the initial Shark Tank buzz died down.
Blowzee Social Media Presence:
The Blowzee website and social media channels appear inactive, with no recent updates or engagement from the company. This suggests that the founders may have faced challenges maintaining a solid online presence and engaging with their customer base, which could have contributed to the company’s apparent decline.
Blowzee Interesting Facts:
- The idea for Blowzee was born after Apelt and Lareau witnessed the amount of saliva and germs spread during a birthday party for their son’s friend.
- Using his engineering expertise, Apelt spent 15 months designing and developing the Blowzee prototype.
- The founders were able to manufacture the product cost-effectively overseas, allowing them to invest $32,000 to launch the business.
What’s Next For Blowzee?
Given the company’s current state, it’s unclear what the future holds for Blowzee. The founders may explore opportunities to revive the business by introducing new product iterations or finding alternative distribution channels. Alternatively, they may pursue other entrepreneurial ventures, applying the lessons learned from their Blowzee experience.
Final Words:
Blowzee’s story is fascinating, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with bringing a unique, innovative product to market. While the company’s current status is uncertain, its estimated net worth of $300,000 suggests that the Blowzee brand and intellectual property still hold value. As the founders continue their entrepreneurial journey, it will be intriguing to see if they can reignite the Blowzee spark and bring their germ-free birthday solution back to the forefront.
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