Silidog is a dog poop container that first appeared on Shark Tank in Season 8. The product allows dog owners to easily pick up and dispose of dog waste in public places. The Silidog container seals in odors and germs. The founders, Gabe and Elise Watson, asked the Sharks for $75,000 in exchange for 15% equity in their company.
What is Silidog?
Silidog is a patented dog poop container designed to make picking up after dogs easier for pet owners. It is a handheld container that allows owners to quickly scoop up dog poop without ever having to touch it. The Silidog container has a long handle and a bag lining the inside. Owners simply scoop the poop into the container using the edge of the Silidog. The bag seals in odors and germs. Once full, owners remove the bag, tie it off, and throw it away.
Key features of Silidog include:
- Odor sealing technology – Double lined antimicrobial bags block odors and germs
- Easy, hands-free pick up – Long handle and specially designed edge make pick up easy
- Convenient and portable – Folds flat for storage and travel
- Bag dispenser – Holds and dispenses additional waste bags
- Dishwasher safe – Durable plastic construction cleans easily
The husband and wife owners, Gabe and Elise Watson, came up with the idea for Silidog after years of struggling to easily pick up after their dogs out on walks. Tired of flimsy grocery bags and scooping with their hands, they designed Silidog as an all-in-one poop scooping and containment device.
Silidog’s Pitch on Shark Tank
When Gabe and Elise entered the Tank in Season 8 in 2016 they were seeking $75,000 for 15% equity in their company. At the time they had already sold 10,000 units of Silidog entirely through word-of-mouth marketing and had $175,000 in sales. The product retailed for $39.95.
They demonstrated how the product worked and emphasized the key benefits of hands-free pick up and odor control. All the Sharks liked the product, but were concerned about the valuation. Kevin O’Leary made the first offer of $75,000 for 50% of the company. Lori Greiner then offered $150,000 for 30%. Robert Herjavec made an offer of $75,000 for 40%.
Gabe and Elise countered by asking the Sharks to join forces – $150,000 for 25% equity split between Kevin, Lori, and Robert. After some negotiating, the founders got all three Sharks to agree to the deal.
What Happened to Silidog After Shark Tank?
Appearing on Shark Tank gave Silidog a huge boost. Shortly after their episode aired, sales skyrocketed. Within just a few months they had generated over $1 million in sales.
With the backing of the Sharks, especially retail expert Lori Greiner, Silidog was able to get into major retail stores. The product is now sold at numerous national retailers including Bed, Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon.
In 2017, one year after their Shark Tank appearance, Silidog did over $5 million in total sales. The company continued its upward trajectory, generating over $10 million in sales in 2018.
Silidog Sales and Revenue
| Year | Revenue |
|---|---|
| 2016 (at time of Shark Tank pitch) | $175,000 |
| 2017 | $5 million |
| 2018 | $10 million |
The Sharks’ investment enabled Silidog to scale quickly and expand their manufacturing capabilities. This allowed them to get products on shelves to meet rising demand.
In addition to rising sales, the company has grown in other ways:
- In 2018 Silidog moved into a 16,000 square foot facility to house inventory and shipping operations
- The product line has expanded to include travel size Silidogs and higher capacity sizes for multi-dog households
- International expansion began in 2019 starting with sales in Canada and parts of Europe
- Their team has grown to over 20 full-time employees
Silidog Products
Silidog has expanded beyond just their original poop scooper product. They now sell a range of products for dogs and pet owners.
Standard Silidog
The original Silidog product is still a top seller. It features double sealed odor blocking bags and can hold over 14 ounces of waste.
Silidog Travel Size
A smaller, more portable version designed for travel and quick walks. Holds over 8 ounces of waste.
Silidog XL
An extra large size Silidog introduced for multi-dog households. Can hold nearly a pound of waste.
Silipail
An outdoor trash can designed specifically for securing used dog waste bags. Helps keep odors contained outside.
Poop Bag Dispensers
Silidog makes a variety of dog poop bag carriers and dispensers. This includes post mountable dispensers for yards.
Where to Buy Silidog Products
Here are some of the major retailers that now carry Silidog products both online and in stores:
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
- Bed Bath & Beyond
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Kroger
- Petco
- PetSmart
Silidog also sells products directly through their website at silidog.com. They frequently run special deals and discounts on their site.
Silidog Shark Tank Update
Since partnering with the Sharks, Silidog has experienced exponential growth in sales, distribution, and products. Their appearance on Shark Tank gave them the exposure, credibility, and investment dollars needed to scale up the business.
Having Lori Greiner as an investor has been invaluable. Her knowledge of the retail industry helped Silidog land deals with major stores. She also assisted with branding, product design, and identifying new market opportunities.
Kevin O’Leary helped streamline operations and optimize profit margins. Robert Herjavec provided guidance on managing rapid growth.
In just a few years, Silidog has gone from a bootstrapped startup to a major consumer brand in the pet industry. Their annual sales continue to climb year-over-year.
It’s a true Shark Tank success story. The company managed to leverage the exposure and mentorship provided by the Sharks to achieve dramatic growth and success with their unique product.
Silidog Shark Tank Deal
- Silidog founders: Gabe and Elise Watson
- Sharks that invested: Robert Herjavec, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary
- Investment amount: $150,000
- Equity stake: 25%
What Makes Silidog Successful?
There are several key factors that have contributed to Silidog’s success following their appearance on Shark Tank:
- Innovative product – The novel, hands-free design filled an unmet need for dog owners.
- Effective marketing – Shark Tank gave them a huge platform to gain exposure and brand awareness.
- Retail partnerships – Lori Greiner facilitated deals with major national retailers.
- Strong sales – The product’s uniqueness and utility led to immediate sales spikes after airing.
- CEO experience – Gabe Watson’s prior business experience helped them scale efficiently.
Silidog was able to leverage these advantages provided by the Shark Tank opportunity to achieve rapid growth and establish itself as a top product in the pet industry.
Silidog Competitors
While no direct competitor matches Silidog’s unique odor-blocking, hands-free design, there are other products aimed at simplifying dog waste pick up:
- Poo Puck – Similar idea but requires owners to push waste into container.
- Flush Pups – Fully biodegradable and flushable waste pick up bags.
- Petmate Arm and Hammer Disposable Bags – Odor control bags for manual pick up.
- Nature’s Miracle Jaw Scoop – Pick up tool with extendable handle.
However, none of these competitors have gained anywhere close to the level of success and sales that Silidog achieved, especially after appearing on Shark Tank. Their unique hands-free design remains unparalleled in the market.
Is Silidog Still in Business?
Yes, as of 2023 Silidog remains in business and is experiencing strong growth and success. The company is still run by founders Gabe and Elise Watson.
Since partnering with the Sharks on Shark Tank in 2016, Silidog has:
- Greatly expanded sales and distribution reach
- Launched numerous new products
- Grown to a team of over 20 employees
- Moved into a larger 16,000 square foot facility
- Started international expansion into Canada and Europe
Silidog has established itself as one of the top products in the pet industry. Their unique dog waste pick up container filled an unmet need for pet owners. Shark Tank provided the platform and investment needed to scale up the business rapidly.
As of 2023, Silidog products are sold in thousands of retail stores and continue to see strong sales growth year after year. The company looks poised for continued success into the future.
Lessons Learned from Silidog on Shark Tank
Silidog provides several lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs from their success story of appearing on Shark Tank:
- Solve a real problem – Create a product that fills an unmet need. Silidog tackled the hassle of dog waste pick up.
- Start lean – Bootstrap your startup to control costs and prove out the concept. Silidog validated demand before scaling up.
- Practice your pitch – Refine your business pitch and demonstration. Silidog effectively showcased their product’s key features and benefits.
- Know your numbers – Have detailed financials like sales, costs, and profit margins. Silidog had strong early traction and margins.
- Seek mentorship – Partner with experienced advisors. Silidog gained invaluable guidance from joining forces with multiple Sharks.
- Take smart money – Choose investors who truly add value beyond capital. The specific Sharks were key to Silidog’s growth.
By following a smart strategy and leveraging the unique opportunities provided by Shark Tank, Silidog was able to achieve remarkable success and become a top product in their industry.
Conclusion
Appearing on Shark Tank in Season 8 provided immense value to Silidog beyond just raising investment capital. The exposure led to a surge in sales and opened doors to major retailers. Guidance from seasoned investors like Lori Greiner gave them the blueprint to scale up quickly and successfully.
In just a few short years, Silidog went from selling thousands of units to millions. Their hands-free dog waste pick up tool filled an obvious gap in the pet market. With the Sharks’ expertise and investment, the company was able to meet the rising demand for their innovative product.
Today, Silidog has become one of the standout success stories from Shark Tank. Their products now sell in thousands of retail outlets and continue to see strong growth. The business embodies many of the key lessons for startups in terms of creating a useful product, validating the concept, bootstrapping, and seeking smart mentorship. It is a textbook case of how pairing a promising business idea with the resources and guidance provided by the Sharks can lead to tremendous results.