Episode 406 – Pro NRG – Presented by Tania Patruno (with Super Bowl Champion Brandon Jacobs(New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers ) step in to the Shark Tank asking for $250,000 in exchange for 15% equity in Pro-NRG.
Tania claims she was overweight and after trying all the fads, she was tired of not getting results. She set out to solve her own problem and that’s how she came up with Pro-NRG.
Pro-NRG Product
The Energy Drink market is huge, and highly competitive. Tania brings great news to the Shark Tank, she already placed the protein-infused flavored water drink available in over 3,000 retail locations. She claims the drink is all natural and tastes great. Robert tried it, and he disagrees.
Quick Facts:
- 4 oz. Bottle contains 15 Grams of Protein
- No Fat
- No Caffeine
- No Sugar
She walked into the pitch with purchase orders, but needed cash and help to get her product nationwide.
Pro-NRG Marketing Strategy
Brandon Jacobs makes a personal claim, “I didn’t get to where I am by playing a half a game. I play the whole game at a very, very high energy level, and Pro-NRG has done that for me.”
That’s a big statement for Tania’s company.
The Pro-NRG Tag line is “Unlocking the energy of protein™“, ”rehydrate. replenish. refresh.”
Pro-NRG The Numbers
In just three months prior to entering Shark Tank, she managed to generate $126,000 in sales. That’s pretty impressive, but what’s more impressive is getting in 3,000 locations in a short period of time.
- Launched in 2011
- Tania invested $75,000
- Cost is $1.10 per bottle
- Wholesale is $1.80
- Retail is $3.99
The margins are not good, she is valuing the company at $1.7 million and the numbers don’t add up.
The Sharks on Pro-NRG
Mark Cuban – Out
- Likes name
- Thinks the drink is fine
- Believes Pro-NRG will be copied by all the others
Mark thinks the drink is fine, but he believes that Pro-NRG will be knocked off by everyone. He wants to go where people aren’t and that’s taking him out of the deal.
Daymond John – Deal $250,000 for 30% equity w/contingency
Daymond is working with Pro-NRG, however, it is unclear if a deal happened with BadAss Supplements.
Daymond doesn’t like the valuation and it is a tough market, but he’s invested in supplement companies creating an opportunity to to merge Pro-NRG .
His deal is contingent on taking the deal to “BadAss”, and closing a deal with them. Brandon has to go with Daymond to make the pitch.
Kevin O’Leary – Out
Kevin delivers a round of questions as he tries to identify what Tania’s central pitch is. Unfortunately, the response doesn’t pull the pitch in. Tania pitches the drink as being whatever you want it to be.
“What am I actually buying here? Do I get a boost? Am I trying to get jacked up, Or, am I simply trying to lose weight?”
Barbara Corcoran – Out
Barbara believes the branding and story is off. Tania needs to use Brandon’s pitch and the locker room story. Focus on a primary problem and solution.
Robert Herjavec – Out
Robert thinks she’s done an amazing job selling her product, but it’s not a market he wants in.
“Why does it taste so bad?”, after being offered a sample.
Robert asks a killer question that entrepreneurs are asked when they tout a key player who supports you as an endorser, but not an investor. This is hard to overcome for most entrepreneurs, but not impossible.
