Jonathan Dusing hopes to plow into the Tank and get a Shark to invest in Snow in Seconds, his artificial snow product, in Shark Tank episode 1510, the season 15 “Holiday Special.” Dusing, who ironically went to Arizona State, runs the business with his family in Minneapolis. He’s no stranger to entrepreneurship, in addition to running this business since 2008, he also owns FanMaker which builds loyalty apps and websites for professional and collegiate sports teams.
As for the product itself, it’s a powder that, when you add water to it, makes snow. It’s actually a synthetic polymer with super-absorbent properties. Each grain instantly absorbs 100 times its size in water, making realistic fake snow without any mess. It’s even reusable: simply let it dry out and put the powder in an air-tight container. There are some knock-off instant snow products that don’t work as well, so be sure to get the original!
Dusing has had his snow featured in TV shows and movies. It will last for a few days – longer if you spray it with water. You can even use it inside! It’s non-toxic and safe for people, pets and plants. You can buy it direct from his website or on Amazon. A package that makes 10 gallons of snow will set you back $25. Dusing likely wants a Shark’s help blowing up the business.
Company Information
Video
Posts about Snow in Seconds on Shark Tank Blog
Snow in Seconds Shark Tank Recap
Jonathan enters the Shark Tank seeking a $50,000 investment for 10% of his company. He can confidently say he knows snow. Where he comes from, it can come down like a blizzard. For those who don’t live in a winter climate or just like playing with snow, he has the solution: Snow in Seconds. It can bring the magic of snow indoors.
Just take 1 small scoop of his powder, add water and watch as it instantly grows into fluffy, white snow. It looks and feels real but never melts. With Snow in Seconds, you can bring the joy of snow anywhere. It’s cold to the touch, safe and so realistic it’s used in movies. He askes the Sharks, “who’s ready to ride with me to the peak of profits?”
Samples and Questions
The Sharks try out their samples. Barbara says it feels like snow. Kevin says “it’s a Christmas miracle!” Jonathan says he stumbled on this chemical and that it’s mostly used for agriculture to hold water in the soil. It’s called sodium polyacrylate. One packet will make a gallon of snow. You can make a little or enough for a big pile or even a sledding hill. Jonathan says it’s true that it’s not proprietary. Most sodium polyacrylate turns into a gel, except the stuff from his manufacturer.
Kevin wants to know why he can’t just go to the manufacturer and make “Wonder Snow.” Jonathan says he’s been in business 15 years and is a recognized brand. In 15 years out of his 1 stall garage with he and his children packing and shipping everything, he has $2 million in sales. Last year (2022) he had $240,000 in sales with $40,000 profit. 50% of sales are bulk for movies and others needing large amounts of snow. 32% is wholesale – they offer white labeling too. 12% is on Amazon and 6% is on their website.
Numbers
The small pouch which makes 1 gallon of snow sells for $4.99 and costs 72 cents to make. The large pouch sells for $12.99 and costs $1.20 to make. The Extra Large which makes 10 gallons of snow sells for $24.99 and costs $4.20 to make. They were in Kroger and Meijer’s – about 1500 stores – for a time. They re-ordered, but Jonathan was going through a divorce and his business partner at the time was running things. He decided to shift production facilities and it caused them to miss the shipment and the stores sent it back because it was a month late. He started this business and a sports technology company with his business partner at the same time. The other company has 10 times the revenue and employees. That business does loyalty programs and digital payments inside stadiums.
Lori likes the product and packaging, but it’s not broad enough for her; she’s out. Kevin says he hates it because it’s seasonal, sales are abyssmal and it distracts from the other business. He says “this deal sucks. I’m out.” Mark says it’s a great business for Jonathan but it’s not investable for him; he’s out. Barbara says he has 3 insurmoutable problems: $40,000 in profits doesn’t get anybody excited, 15 years in business is supicious and he’s busy. She thinks the business has great upside potential. She offers $50,000 for 33.3% of the business. Daymond says he was going to make an offer, but it was not as healthy as Barbara’s; he’s out. Jonathan counters Barbara with 25% and she says no. She says she can get Jonathan into the accounts Holliball is in and Jonathan accepts.
Snow in Seconds Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. As of June, 2024, there is no evidence the deal with Barbara closed. To be fair, Barbara is awful at updating her website and the companies she invests in – she hasn’t done it in 4 or 5 years! On show night, Barbara Tweeted:
@BarbaraCorcoran. Welcome to the family, Jonathan! Let’s make it SNOW! #SharkTank · @ABCSharkTank · #SnowInSeconds
The Shark Tank Blog will follow-up on Snow in Seconds & Jonathan Dusing as more details become available.
