Cow Wow Flavored Milk
NO DEAL
EPISODE SUMMARY
🕓 Air Date: January 31, 2014
Asking For:
$250,000 for 10%
Investor:
No Deal
Deal:
No Deal
PRODUCT SUMMARY
Cow Wow Cereal Milk bottles the flavor of leftover cereal milk, aiming to provide a healthier alternative for kids.
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Background Story
Chris Pouy and Tiffany Panhilason, the brains behind Cow Wow Cereal Milk, embarked on their entrepreneurial journey with a mission to capture the essence of a beloved childhood experience: the taste of leftover cereal milk. Pouy and Panhilason were avid enthusiasts of both cereal and milk, noticing a gap in the market for flavored milk options compared to the diverse array of yogurt flavors available. Their inspiration struck during a casual evening at a yogurt shop, where they marveled at the plethora of yogurt flavors on offer.
This observation sparked a conversation about the limited flavor options in the milk industry, leading them to ponder why milk only came in basic flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.Driven by their passion for cereal and milk, the duo decided to embark on a quest to bottle the nostalgic taste of leftover cereal milk. They envisioned a product that not only captured the delicious flavor but also offered a healthier alternative for consumers, particularly children. This vision culminated in the creation of Cow Wow Cereal Milk.
Drawing from their combined experiences and expertise in marketing and product development, Pouy and Panhilason embarked on the journey to bring their product to market. Their dedication to providing a nutritious and flavorful option for consumers propelled them forward, leading to the launch of Cow Wow Cereal Milk. Despite facing challenges in the competitive beverage industry, Pouy and Panhilason remained steadfast in their commitment to their product and brand. Their journey serves as a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and determination to revolutionize the flavored milk market with a product that captures the essence of childhood joy in every sip.
The Product
Cow Wow Cereal Milk offers a unique twist on traditional flavored milk, aiming to recreate the delightful taste of leftover cereal milk in a convenient bottled form. Available in flavors like Fruity Trudy and Chocolate Chip Cathy, Cow Wow Cereal Milk provides consumers with a nostalgic and enjoyable drinking experience.
The product works by infusing milk with the essence of popular cereal flavors, resulting in a delicious beverage that captures the essence of a favorite breakfast treat. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with cereal for an extra burst of flavor.
One of the key benefits of Cow Wow Cereal Milk is its lower sugar content compared to traditional flavored milk options, making it a healthier choice for both children and adults. Additionally, it contains essential vitamins and nutrients, making it a nutritious option for consumers.
Cow Wow Cereal Milk can be purchased at select grocery stores and retailers, with plans for expansion into more locations in the future. The price may vary depending on the retailer, but it typically falls within a competitive range compared to other flavored milk options on the market.
Overall, Cow Wow Cereal Milk offers a fun and flavorful twist on traditional milk, providing consumers with a convenient and enjoyable way to relive the nostalgic experience of drinking leftover cereal milk.
How It Went
The company’s position before Shark Tank
Cow Wow Cereal Milk entered the market with a promising start, achieving sales of $20,000 after launching with one SKU. Despite facing challenges in the competitive flavored milk market, the company managed to secure reorders from several grocery stores and was in negotiations with one of the largest grocers in the country for a potential deal worth $100,000.
However, the company’s performance was hindered by concerns raised during their pitch in the Shark Tank, particularly regarding the product’s differentiation and competition with established brands like Borden. In terms of partnerships, Cow Wow Cereal Milk collaborated with grocery stores such as Bristol Farms and Albertsons to distribute their product. They also expressed aspirations to expand their distribution network further. Their target customers primarily include families and children looking for healthier alternatives to traditional flavored milk options. The product’s lower sugar content and nostalgic appeal cater to this demographic.
As for funding, Cow Wow Cereal Milk sought a $250,000 investment in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the company during their appearance on Shark Tank. However, they failed to secure a deal with any of the Sharks, which may impact their funding strategy moving forward. Cow Wow Cereal Milk’s current structure likely includes key roles such as founders Chris Pouy and Tiffany Panhilason, along with employees responsible for production, distribution, marketing, and sales. As they continue to navigate the challenges of the flavored milk market, the company may need to reassess its strategies and strengthen its positioning to achieve long-term success.
The Negotiations:
During the negotiations on Shark Tank, the founders of Cow Wow Cereal Milk, Chris Pouy and Tiffany Panhilason, presented their product with enthusiasm and passion. They initially sought a $250,000 investment in exchange for a 10% equity stake in the company. However, concerns were raised by the Sharks regarding the product’s differentiation, taste, and competition in the market. Mark Cuban expressed skepticism about the company’s ability to compete with established brands like Borden in the flavored milk market.
He ultimately decided to pass on the opportunity, citing concerns about the company’s valuation and the challenges they would face in gaining market share. Other Sharks, including Lori Greiner and Daymond John, also declined to invest, citing various reasons such as the product’s taste not meeting their expectations and the lack of differentiation in the market. Despite the feedback and rejections, Pouy and Panhilason remained resilient and defended their product, highlighting its lower sugar content and nutritional benefits.
However, they were unable to secure a deal in the Tank. Overall, the negotiations shed light on the challenges facing Cow Wow Cereal Milk in the competitive beverage industry. While the founders showcased their passion and dedication, they ultimately left the Tank without securing an investment, highlighting the importance of addressing key concerns raised by potential investors in order to succeed in the market.
