The first entrepreneur to enter the “West Texas Investors Club” Clubhouse for the Aug. 2 episode is Ari Tolwin of Happy Tree Maple Water, seeking $2 million for 20 percent equity.
Happy Tree Maple Water comes from the trapped water of maple trees and, according to their website, they tap the trees in a sustainable manner during the spring season. As opposed to coconut water, maple water has half the calories and sugar.
According to their website, the maple water “is currently available at leading natural and specialty stores and online retailers including Whole Foods Market, The Fresh Market, Natural Grocers Vitamin Cottage, Gelson’s, Bristol Farms, Fairway, Amazon, and Fresh Direct.” The maple water also comes with lemon and ginger flavors, as well as a cold brew coffee.
In two years, they’ve managed to get into 1,000 stores, however, last year, they made over $800,000. They have mainly lost money during their time in business.
Social reactions to Happy Tree Maple Water’s appearance on “West Texas Investors Club”:
"We are actually in a money losing business…" Not a very good way to say "My business is worth $8 million" #WestTexasInvestors #salespitch
— Daniel Pronych (@danielpronych) August 3, 2016
This "Maple Water" will catch on. Right as soon as they rename it Whiskey and add some Coke and . . . @WTexasInvestors #LeaveOutTheWater
— Ryan Hyatt (@RyanHyattMedia) August 3, 2016
This dude is building to sell, not good #WestTexasInvestors
— Troy Davis (@troynormandavis) August 3, 2016
@WTexasInvestors Yayyy! Going to have to try that, but I'm going to follow the boys lead & add !
— Dana Lea Bennett (@DanaLeaB1) August 3, 2016
@WTexasInvestors I think #HappyTreeWater has a place in the market! It all depends on the biz aspect of it though… #WestTexasInvestors
— Invention Queen (@InventionQueen) August 3, 2016
This guy is really comparin' Facebook to his maple water company… #WestTexasInvestors pic.twitter.com/KVW2ZJXFAM
— Rooster McConaughey (@RoosterWTIC) August 3, 2016
Hopefully theyll tap profits from those maple trees! #WestTexasInvestors
— Mike G (@mpg611) August 3, 2016
Butch Gilliam and Rooster McConaughey give it a try and seem to like it, while McConaughey even acknowledges its similarities to coconut water. They even make it a little better by adding some beer.
For his challenge, they take the maple water to a stadium for fan appreciation day to see how it stacks up against coconut water. Turns out, people really like maple water because Tolwin’s water wins by a long shot.
McConaughey and Gilliam were very impressed by how many people liked the maple water at the game, however, they don’t like his valuation. Tolwin sees selling the company to a company like Coca-Cola, Pepsi or Nestlé, but McConaughey and Gilliam worry about Happy Tree’s sustainability. Assuring them in the end, they offer him a deal to have their shares come from others’ shares. They offer $400,000 for 10 percent, with non-diluted shares. He counters with an additional $400,000 line of credit, which they accept.
(despite Gil Prather not liking it)
Would you try Happy Tree Maple Water?