What Happened to Geek My Tree After Shark Tank?
What is Geek My Tree?
Geek My Tree is a startup that makes colorful Christmas tree lights called “Animated Glow Balls” that can be controlled by a free iOS or Android app. The original idea was to move the traditional Christmas Light Show from outdoors to inside. Geek My Tree was created by Brad Buyink of Grand Haven, Michigan.
Brad Buyink founded Geek My Tree after having the coolest house in the neighborhood during the holidays for a few years. It all started in 2006 with a synchronized light show outside his immaculately decorated home.
It rose in popularity and soon drew more than 70,000 people each year. Brad used the pull for good to his advantage by turning his light show into a fundraiser for a number of charities, including the Special Olympics.
Who is the brain behind Geek My Tree?
Brad Buyink started Geek My Tree after having the coolest house in the neighborhood during the holidays for a few years. It all started in 2006 with a synchronized light show outside his immaculately decorated home.
He migrated from the area where he was well-known in 2013 and took the event inside. He used professional lights to decorate his own Christmas tree and posted a video to YouTube.
He received such a positive response that he decided to try to build Christmas tree decorations that would allow anyone to put on a spectacular show.
He built a prototype and began displaying it. It has Christmas tree lights and an app that allows you to control the show.
Geek My Tree is designed for Christmas trees that are 6-8 feet tall. Straight lines of lights are strung from a ring that fits over the tree’s peak.
Each Animated Glow Ball has two full-spectrum LED lights that produce 360-degree illumination in every visible color.
But hold on, there’s more! Using a smartphone app, the lights can be adjusted to synchronize in hundreds of different patterns, and they can even be set to synchronize to music.
They are the most complex Christmas lights in the world. Boyink makes high-quality products, and there are no low-cost lights or hardware on a Geek My Tree set.
These Christmas lights aren’t cheap, costing $399 for an 80-light set and $599 for a 160-light set, but the LED components last up to 50,000 hours, considerably outlasting traditional Christmas lights. Boyink has ideas for lights that integrate coordinated music, window displays, and light for additional holidays in the works.
Geek My Tree’s Shark Tank pitch: What Happened?
Brad Buyink chose to submit his business concept to Shark Tank investors in order to gain access to major retailers.
Brad entered the Shark Tank seeking $225,000 for a 25% stake in his firm, which worth $900,000.
He claims to be modernizing Christmas tree lights by bringing the excitement and enjoyment of an outside, dynamic light show to the indoor Christmas tree.
The following stage was to produce complete musical sequences. Geek My Christmas lights are synchronized by a professional.
When Brad informs Mark Cuban of the pricing, Kevin responds that he’s seen LED light sets for far less.
Kevin O’Leary feels that spending nearly $500 on Christmas tree lights was a problem.
Kevin O’Leary feels that spending nearly $500 on Christmas tree lights was a problem. Brad claims that they are expensive due to limited production runs: if he switches to a 10,000 unit run, he can decrease the cost by 20%, and if he makes more than 50,000 units, he can cut the cost by another 30%.
Barbara Corcoran opted out because she feels it was too expensive. Robert Herjavec went out because he does not believe it will be purchased.
Mark Cuban agrees with Robert and he went out too. Lori Greiner, who feels it was excessively overpriced, has opted out.
Kevin O’Leary was choked by the price, but he still wants in, offering $225,000 for a 50% share since he despises hanging Christmas lights.
Kevin O’Leary declines Brad’s offer of $225,000 for a 40% stake. When he owns a 50% stake, he is quite concerned. Brian accepts, and he exits the pitch with a deal.
Geek My Tree: What Happened After Shark Tank?
After both Brad Buyink and Kevin O’Leary cheered throughout the pitch, the deal with Kevin O’Leary came to fruition, and the things sold effectively for a year or two.
Their products will not be available for purchase in 2018. Despite the fact that their website and social media handles were updated in 2020, there is no link to buy the lights. As a result, the firm has ceased operations.
Geek My Tree’s Competitors
There were two major competitors for the company. Novelty Lights and BulbHead are two examples.
Geek My Tree’s Net Worth
During the pitch, the firm was valued at $900,000; following Kevin O’ Leary’s investment, the company was valued at $450,000. The net value of the firm is unclear because it is no longer in existence.
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Geek My Tree FAQs
Can the Christmas tree lights be purchased by individuals?
Yes, there was nothing stopping them from buying the Christmas tree lights if they purchase them directly from Geek My Tree’s website.
What were the features of this product?
They had many features, such as: they have a mobile app, mobile light sequencing, and it has full-spectrum LEDs that can be synchronized according to numerous patterns. They also have a wireless remote and industry-leading technology.
Will these lights fit my tree?
They will only fit trees from 6-8 feet tall.
Was Geek My Tree expensive?
It was expensive, with a full set of these lights costing $599 for a set of 160 in the year of 2016.
How long were the Christmas tree lights supported for?
They were supported for 10 years from the date of purchase.
How did you control the Christmas tree lights?
They were controlled by a motion sensor between the Christmas tree and the wall outlet. They will also work with a remote if they were not placed near a wall outlet.
How did you get them to change colors?
They change colors according to whatever color is created by the combination of all of its LEDs; it was possible to have an array of different colors, such as a rainbow or solid red, blue, or green.
Were these easy to use?
Yes, they were easy to use. All they needed was a motion sensor, a wireless remote, and a wall outlet.
Was there a mobile app for the Christmas tree lights?
Yes, there was a mobile app for both iPhone and Android phones that will allow them to control the lights from anywhere in their home or office. It also makes it possible to have their lights change colors based on whatever color combination their desire.
Were they pre-programmed?
Yes, they have pre-programmed colors. However, it was possible to synchronize them to music by downloading the music app and setting up custom lighting flashes based on the beat of the music.
What was the return policy?
They do not accept returns unless there was a defect. They will replace them for other products, but they will not issue a refund or return the money.
Was Geek My Tree a retail product?
Yes, they were available for purchase to online retailers, including Amazon, as well as Target and Best Buy.
Are these Christmas lights battery-operated?
No, they are not battery-operated; they need to be plugged in to work properly.
How long does it take to program the Christmas tree lights?
It only takes a few minutes. They need to be placed near a wall outlet and the motion sensor. Then they will work automatically, and they can be synchronized to music by downloading their music app.
Where is Geek My Tree manufactured?
They are manufactured in the United States.
