Kirsten Brand seeks an investment for Pawnix, her noise cancelling headphones for dogs, in Shark Tank episode 1316. Brand, who worked as a packaging engineer for Mars Petcare for nearly nine years, has a dog that is petrified of loud noises. She once ran away during a fireworks show. Luckily, the dog was found. That’s not always the case though. According to Brand, “there is a 30% increase of lost pets during the weeks surrounding the 4th of July.” The Journal Of American Veterinary Medical Association reported 30% of dogs suffer from some type of storm anxiety; and 86% of dogs with thunder phobia develop separation anxiety.
Kirsten tried all sorts of things to calm her dog, but none of them worked. Then, on an airplane flight, she held her noise cancelling headphones over her dog’s ears and it calmed her down. They tested the headphones and they work. Now, she can take her dog anywhere while it’s wearing its Pawnix headphones.
Brand tried funding the business with an unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign in 2020, but she did raise $2,250 on IndieGoGo. The headphones are available on the company website for $199. They come in four sizes to accommodate all dog breeds and sizes. Brand likely wants a Shark to help get her into big box pet retailers. Will a Shark get on board with this dog friendly company?
Company Information
Video
Posts about Pawnix on Shark Tank Blog
Pawnix Shark Tank Recap
Kirsten enters the Shark Tank seeking $150,000 for 10% of her company. She goes on to tell about how many dogs are afraid of fireworks and tells the story of Emma running away. She introduces the product and puts it on Emma as the Sharks laugh. The Sharks examine their samples. Kevin asks if the dogs freak out when you put them on. It took a while for Emma to accept them.
Pawnix works like human noise cancelling headphones. Fireworks can actually damage dogs’ ears. Kirsten tells the Sharks about her background. The product sells for $199 and costs $108 landed. She can increase margins by ordering components in bulk. She has $106,000 in sales in one year. Emma shakes out of her headphones and the Sharks laugh.
Lori thinks the product is credible, but questions the price. Robert says he loves animals, but it’s a niche of a niche of a niche of a market; he’s out. Lori would like a lower price point; she’s out. Daymond thinks explaining it is challenging; he’s out. Mark doesn’t think it’s in his wheelhouse; he’s out. Kevin says he doesn’t need doggie headphones in his portfolio; he’s out.
Pawnix Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. After the original air date, the company had increased sales and interest from potential investors. As of July, 2023, nobody had invested in the business. Knockoffs began appearing, but the quality can’t match Pawnix’s. In March, 2024, the company announced they were developing developing anxiety vests and pajamas.
The Shark Tank Blog will follow-up on Pawnix & Kirsten Brand as more details become available.
