Two entrepreneurs, Dwayne Walker and Tim Samuel, recognized the importance of nurturing creativity in children and teens in a world that often undervalues art education. They founded Sparketh, an online art education platform, to provide students around the world with accessible and engaging art lessons. After appearing on Shark Tank Season 13, the company secured a deal and has continued to grow. In this blog post, we’ll explore Sparketh’s journey, its founder, the Shark Tank pitch, and the company’s current net worth.
Who is Sparketh?
Sparketh is an online art education platform that offers a wide range of art courses for kids and teens. The platform provides over 1,000 video lessons taught by experienced mentors, covering various art mediums and techniques.
Students can choose from courses in drawing, painting, baking, and more, with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Sparketh aims to foster creativity and help students develop their artistic skills in a fun and engaging way.
Who Is the Founder of Sparketh?
Dwayne Walker and Tim Samuel, two childhood best friends, founded Sparketh. Due to the lack of art education in public schools, Dwayne, a self-taught artist who won numerous art awards and contests as a child, received homeschooling.
Tim, on the other hand, had a passion for videography and film, often creating videos for his younger brother, who enjoyed skateboarding. Together, they combined their talents to create Sparketh, an online platform that would inspire the next generation of creative minds.
What was Sparketh’s Shark Tank pitch like?
In Season 13 of Shark Tank, Dwayne and Tim pitched their company, seeking $100,000 for an 8% stake in Sparketh. During their pitch, they highlighted the importance of art education and demonstrated the platform’s features, including the extensive library of video lessons and the virtual art portfolio. The Sharks were impressed by the founders’ passion and the interactive nature of their pitch.
However, the company’s profitability and customer retention raised concerns. The Sharks questioned the $1.25 million valuation, given that Sparketh was only breaking even at the time. Despite this, Barbara Corcoran saw potential in the founders and offered $100,000 for a 20% stake, contingent on the company becoming profitable within six months. Guest Shark Daniel Lubetzky joined Barbara’s offer, pledging to provide mentorship to the entrepreneurs.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founders | Dwayne Walker and Tim Samuel |
| Business Focus | Online art education platform for kids and teens |
| Founding Year | 2015 |
| Initial Launch | Southeast Homeschool Expo in 2015 |
| Courses Offered | Initially launched with 4 courses |
| Growth Initiatives | Attended over 10 homeschool expos by 2016; National expo tour with 24 stops across the US |
| Technology | Dwayne taught himself HTML, CSS, and PHP for website development |
| Revenue | – 2018: $110,000 – 2019: $75,000 – 2020: $300,000 |
| Challenges | Both founders ended up in the hospital in 2018 due to extensive travel for expos |
| Shark Tank Pitch | Asked for $100,000 for 8% equity |
| Investors’ Responses | – Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzky: Offered $100,000 for 20% equity, contingent on profitability after 6 months – Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary: No offers |
Sparketh Shark Tank Update:
After accepting the joint offer from Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzky, Sparketh continued to grow and expand its offerings. Although there is no clear evidence that the deal with the Sharks closed, the exposure from the show helped Sparketh reach a wider audience and achieve its revenue goal of $500,000 in 2021.
What was the fate of Sparketh after his time on Shark Tank?
Since appearing on Shark Tank, Sparketh has remained in business and has continued to improve its platform. The company has expanded its course offerings, adding more art mediums and techniques for students to explore. Sparketh has also partnered with schools, districts, and educational organizations to provide remote art education programs.
As of 2024, Sparketh offers a subscription-based model, with monthly and annual plans available at discounted rates. The platform boasts a library of over 1,000 art video lessons, catering to various skill levels and interests.
| Current Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Revenue | Estimated $1.5 million |
| Subscriber Base | Over 18,000 followers on Instagram |
| Offerings | Expanded to include over 1,000 art video lessons; Special course tracks like animals, nature, basic elements, food, and portraits |
| Pricing Plans | – Monthly: $25 per month – Annual: $250 per year (currently offering 60% discount on subscriptions) |
| Growth Initiatives | – Offering free one-month trial access to full course library – Working with teachers, districts, schools, and organizations for remote art education programs – Expanded mentorship and course offerings |
| Challenges Post Shark Tank | No clear confirmation if the deal with Barbara Corcoran and Daniel Lubetzky went through based on public updates; However, Sparketh continued to grow its offerings and subscriber base despite not being listed on the sharks’ official websites. |
Sparketh Net Worth:
Estimating Sparketh’s exact net worth is challenging without access to the company’s financial records. However, the information from the Shark Tank pitch and the company’s reported growth suggest that Sparketh’s annual revenue has increased to approximately $1.5 million since his appearance on the show.
Sparketh Growth and Operations:
Several factors, such as the growing demand for online education, the company’s partnerships with educational institutions, and the expansion of its course offerings, have contributed to Sparketh’s growth. The platform’s user-friendly interface and engaging content have also contributed to its success, attracting both children and teenagers interested in developing their artistic skills.
Sparketh Marketing and Sales:
Sparketh has employed various marketing strategies to reach its target audience. The company actively promotes its platform through social media channels, offering discounts and limited-time deals to attract new subscribers. Sparketh also participates in educational expos and conferences to showcase its offerings and build partnerships with schools and organizations.
Sparketh Social Media Presence:
Sparketh maintains an active presence on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where the company has amassed over 18,000 followers. The company regularly shares student artwork, promotional content, and updates about new courses and features. This engagement with its community helps Sparketh foster a sense of belonging and encourages students to continue their artistic pursuits.
Sparketh Interesting Facts:
- Sparketh’s founders, Dwayne Walker and Tim Samuel, were childhood best friends who bonded over their shared love for magic tricks.
- Tim Samuel, one of the co-founders, was born with sickle cell disease, which motivated him to pursue his passion for entrepreneurship and videography.
- Sparketh initially launched in 2015 at the Southeast Homeschool Expo and has since expanded to offer courses to students worldwide.
What’s next for Sparketh?
As Sparketh continues to grow, the company plans to expand its course offerings further, introducing new art mediums and techniques to cater to a wider range of interests. The platform also aims to strengthen its partnerships with educational institutions, providing more students with access to quality art education. Additionally, Sparketh may explore the possibility of offering physical art supplies and kits to complement its online courses, enhancing the overall learning experience for students.
Final Words:
Sparketh’s journey from a small startup to a successful online art education platform is a testament to the founders’ passion and dedication to nurturing creativity in children and teens. Through their appearance on Shark Tank and the subsequent growth of the company, Dwayne Walker and Tim Samuel have demonstrated the importance of art education and the potential for innovative solutions in this field. As Sparketh continues to inspire young artists around the world, it is clear that the company’s impact extends far beyond its net worth.
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