Tree T-Pee is a Shark Tank business that was pitched as a product that could possibly have a real effect on conservation and the plight of farmers, so plenty of fans may be wondering if the product did ever end up making substantial waves as a business or as an industry game changer. The sharks on Shark Tank are almost always primarily concerned with how valuable a business opportunity is when it arrives in the tank. Occasionally, personal issues or interest in a product can drive bids, but usually, it’s only the bottom line they usually care about.
Most businesses that appear on Shark Tank understand this predilection and rarely do they arrive with their banana hats and vending machines with any pie-in-the-sky ideas about changing the world for the better. If they do, Mark or Mr. Wonderful are usually right there to shoot them down. However, every once in a while, something does come along that seems like it could be both great business and an idea that could fundamentally make the world a tick better. Tree T-Pee seemed like that to the Sharks when it was presented.
Tree T-Pee Is A Water & Containment System For Young Trees
Johnny Georges Invented The Tool Specifically For Farmers
Johnny Georges appeared on Shark Tank season 5, episode 17 in 2013, pitching his business, Tree T-Pee. After letting his nerves almost get the best of him, Georges admirably finished his pitch for the Tree T-Pee, a plastic bucket he invented that sits atop the roots of a tree or a plant. When farmers water their crops, a significant amount of the water is lost to the wayside, blown away by wind, poor hoses, etc. The T-Pee ensures most of the water is contained near the roots of the tree where it needs to be.
Georges explained that a standard tree without his product requires 25,000 gallons of water annually, while those with his product require only 800 gallons. He sells each of his products for $4.50 each and earns just $1 in profit from each unit. Georges first provided the product for free to a neighbor and a week later, she asked for 495 more after discovering its effectiveness. The entrepreneur retained this sense of duty and community in his pitch, considering this to be a product to help people, over something to earn a lot of money from.
The Tree T-Pee Shark Tank Deal Explained
Kevin O’Leary Did Not Like Georges’ Business Plan
Of course, this type of pitch isn’t always what the sharks are looking for and Kevin O’Leary explained his issues in surprisingly gentle terms. With such small margins, O’Leary attempted to explain why finding a distributor would be difficult without raising the price. However, Georges was adamant that he wouldn’t do that. He’d find a partner willing to make a little less, or he wouldn’t find a partner. Guest shark John Paul DeJoria, moved by his story, was happy to be that partner and agrees to Georges’ $150,000 in exchange for 20% without even a counter.
Where Tree T-Pee Is Now
Tree T-Pee Is Valued At Around $100 Million
Fans of Shark Tank and conservation will be glad to know Tree T-Pee is growing strong, still regularly posting to their Facebook page. Georges earned himself the “Shark Tank bump” after the episode, which is when companies see increased sales from appearing on the show, and he received 56,000 emails for his product that night (via ABC). The company seems to be doing very well, and the price increase of their product to $9.95 clearly didn’t stop interest in the revolutionary product and some sites put the current value of Tree T-Pee at around $100 million (via TheTechEducation).
Several successful investors and financial moguls sit in on pitches from professional and amateur American entrepreneurs in Shark Tank. This reality television series sees a group of five “sharks” who give hopeful people with a dream a chance to secure funding and support from some of the most well-known figures in the business world. Products and services come from all over as the sharks judge and try to determine if the pitches are investable.
- Release Date
- August 9, 2009
- Seasons
- 16
- Showrunner
- Mark Burnett