After a Christian farmer pitched his product, Shark Tank investors had a demand – compromise your morals or walk away empty-handed. Refusing their request with tears in his eyes, the humble peasant was soon presented with the biggest offer of his life.
After growing up in the horticulture industry, Johnny George realized that the average farmer wastes millions of gallons of water each year to irrigate his crops. Seeing a desperate need for reform, he decided to invent a product that would revolutionize the way farmers run their businesses.
Georges created the Tree T-Pee, a plastic wrap that not only conserves water for individual trees, but also protects them from freezing temperatures. With his invention, farmers could keep a higher percentage of their crops alive and go from using 25,000 gallons of water per tree per year to just 800 gallons per tree per year, saving dramatically more resources and money.
After he made a presentation to a team of investors on the TV series “Shark Tank”, the panel was impressed with his design and his skills. However, they had a condition to invest with him. Although it costs George $2.95 to produce one Tree T-Pee, the judges wanted to raise the price from $4.95 per unit to $12 per unit to make a big profit for them.
Hearing this state of affairs, Georges explained why his product was so cheap. He knows the struggles that farmers face every day and refuses to take advantage of his fellow blue-collar workers.
“You sell to the farmers,” said Georges. “Every tree that goes on the ground should have T-Pee on it.”
When the judges saw that Johnny George would not budge, they dropped their partnership with him. Just when he had given up hope, panelist John Paul DeJoria chimed in, offering the humble farmer the contract of a lifetime.
“Farmers are the cornerstone of America.” There may be a lot of farmers who can’t afford $12 a tree, but maybe they can afford $6 or $7,” DeJoria said. “I’ll give you whatever you ask for — your $150,000 for 20 percent. What you are doing is right and you deserve a chance to make it big and do a lot of good. I’d love to be your partner, Johnny.”
Without hesitation, Georges accepted the unexpected offer and the couple shook hands, sealing the deal. Then the driving force of the farmer’s ingenuity was discovered.
When the second referee told Johnny Georges to congratulate his father for raising such a hardworking man, the tears began to flow. Georges explained that his father died 12 years ago and that his father’s example is responsible for his success today.
“He made me who I am,” he said through tears. “We worked hard every day. I worked for that man for 20 years. Thank God I got to work with that man. He is an innovator. He taught me everything I know.”
Georges left that sales pitch with a contract for life. He has a billionaire’s investment, the means to advance his career and his morals intact.
Thanks to Johnny George’s determination, farmers are able to afford his revolutionary product. (Photo credit: screenshot)
Johnny George’s business was a huge success. It has helped farmers across America grow their trees faster and stronger with less waste and produce and water.
Thanks to his work ethic, Georges revolutionized the horticulture industry. However, it was all because of his strong moral conviction that many farmers who would not have been able to afford his product at the price the investors wanted, are using Tree T-Pee today.