Ruff Liners Shark Tank | Season 16
Ruff Liners pitched their pet car seat covers to the Sharks, featuring a live demonstration with a canine companion. The product is showcased within a truck setup. (Image Credit- Shark Tank)
All pet owners hate it when they have to leave their dog at home whenever they go out. But the mess our furry friends create in a car seat is also not very pleasing. Plus, the seats aren’t comfortable for them to lounge in. That’s where Ruff Liners comes into the picture.
Brandon Himmel’s dog landed him on Shark Tank Season 16. The entrepreneur was frustrated with the mess his dog would create in the car. He didn’t want to leave his dog at home when he went on a trip or deal with the mess either. Therefore, he thought of the perfect solution. He founded Ruff Liners, a product designed to provide a comfortable and clean space in the car for dogs to travel along while protecting vehicle interiors.
Would the sharks find Ruff Liners worth investing in?
About Ruff Liners
| Category | Details |
| Founder | Brandon Himmel |
| Product Type | Pet Car Seat Covers |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-funded |
| Investment Asked | $200,000 |
| Equity Offered | 5% |
What Happened on the Shark Tank Episode?
Entrepreneur Brandon Himmel brought an adorable pitch partner with him. Brandon explained how difficult it is to travel with a pet dog. They ruin the backseat area of the truck. Then, he demonstrated his product lining the interior of a truck. Later, he asked his partner in the pitch—his dog—to get in. The dog rested perfectly over the covers, showcasing how well the covers work in real time.
Shark Robert asked Brandon the selling prices. The entrepreneur revealed the prices ranged from $99 to $150. According to him, Ruff Liners is a premium product in this category.
Mark asked if there was a lot of competition in the market. Brandon explained that the market had nothing like his product.
Ruff Liners was launched in December 2022. In 2023, they made $1.25 million in sales. To date, they have made $3.1 million in sales this year. The gross margin is 73%.
Lori asked the entrepreneur to tell them about his background. He said he had always been an entrepreneur. He had worked at his grandfather’s barbershop as a child. Brandon revealed he had served in the Marines.
The entrepreneur had studied physics in college. He had spent 9 years working as an engineer. Then, he quit his job the previous year and founded Ruff Liners.
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What Makes Ruff Liners Unique?
Ruff Liners protect the truck’s back seat area from the mess your dogs cause. So, you can take your dogs with you on long drives and not stress about chaos.
It has a cover that Velcro’s to plastic window inserts, which easily slide into the window seal. This keeps the door panels protected. The product is made from heavy-duty materials to ensure durability and protection.
Ruff liners have extra anchor points at the bottom to keep everything nice and snug. They are also 100% waterproof.
Did Ruff Liners Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
After the pitch, the sharks shared their thoughts:
- Mark said that the business model was scary, which was why he did not offer any deals.
- Lori compared the business with Drop Stop. The initial phase had been great, but recently, it has become really challenging. Therefore, she did not offer anything either.
- Kevin offered $200,000 for 20% of Ruff Liners.
- Barbara offered $200,000 for 20%, plus a $1 million line of credit for a 20% stake.
- Robert offered $200,000 for a 15% stake.
After some negotiation, Robert and Brandon did the deal. The deal was made at $200,000 for a 10% stake, plus a royalty of $1 per unit sold until $200k was paid.
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What Happened to Ruff Liners After Shark Tank?
Ruff Liners gained more followers online after being on Shark Tank, especially since the show’s social media mentioned them. This might have meant they’d sell more and maybe even sell all over the country, as they had hoped. Google Trends showed a big jump in searches right after the episode.
Where Can You Buy It?
So, no more leaving your dog at home or worrying about the mess they create in the back seat. Bring home Ruff Liners and solve the issue. You can get them from their official website or buy them on Amazon. Check out their social media for more updates.
Quick Summary
- Brandon Himmel pitched his business, Ruff Liners, on Shark Tank Season 16.
- Ruff Liners offers premium pet car seat covers that protect vehicle interiors while allowing you to comfortably take your dog anywhere.
- The entrepreneur secured a deal with Shark Robert.
