Slick Barrier on 'Shark Tank': Arizona dads set to disrupt the pest control industry
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A pair of East Valley businessmen will be featured in an upcoming episode of the reality TV show 'Shark Tank.' Friends Aaron and Tony Gonzales of Gilbert-based Slick Barrier will pitch their atypical insect control innovation on the January 27 episode of the business competition series. ABC will broadcast the program at 8 pm ET. The co-founders developed a smooth, transparent pesticide-free coating application that they claim inhibits crawling pests from entering dwellings.
Slick Barrier, a Gilbert-based firm destined to revolutionize the pest management market, is delighted to announce that it will be featured on ABC's 'Shark Tank'. Founders Tony and Aaron will explain the prospects of a forward-thinking, direct-to-consumer product, as well as the amazing narrative behind the innovation, this Friday at 8 pm.
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What is Slick Barrier?
Slick Barrier is a ground-breaking product that keeps crawling insects and rodents out of your house. The barrier is a smooth, transparent coating placed over the base of the property that prevents pests from climbing the outer walls and entering. The Arizona Bark Scorpion inspired the creation of Slick Barrier.
Aaron Gonzales and his family moved into a lovely new home in Arizona, only to discover it was plagued with deadly scorpions, which have the most poisonous venom in the world. They are little, fast, and nocturnal, slipping through a credit card-sized aperture and settling in dark, wet areas. Aaron was stung and couldn't risk his tiny kid getting hurt. Either they sold their ideal property or they found a solution. He knew scorpions and other pests couldn't scale a smooth, slick surface, so he started there. If you're not convinced, try one in a bathtub.
Aaron's childhood buddy Tony Gonzales wound up in the ER not long after Aaron's encounter, with his four-year-old kid near death from a scorpion bite. Fortunately, the kid lived, and Tony joined Aaron in figuring out how to keep bugs out of the house. Pesticides have a purpose: to kill or incapacitate pests after they've entered the house. But it would be great if they never got in! Through numerous iterations, the two friends worked with chemists and manufacturers, modifying smoothness, thickness, and hardness, and determined how much of the home's exterior needed to be coated until they had the perfect formula for Slick Barrier.
Slick Barrier System
This method is a one-time coating and nanofilm application on the foundation of a structure. When the surface dries, it becomes hard, durable, and glasslike, making it impossible for insects and rodents to climb.
Slick Barrier Water Base, a water-based coating, and Slick Barrier Ultra, a solvent-based coating, protect 300 linear feet 4-5 inches high. Slick Barrier Ultra needs respiratory protection while applying and should only be used outside. One or two applications of the water-based coating should be applied. Allow for a half-hour to an hour of drying time. Alternatively, allow it to dry overnight. Then apply one layer of the solvent-based coating, which dries into a tile-like gloss in 2 hours and cures completely in 72 hours for a hard, smooth, slick surface that keeps pests at bay. Touch-ups are frequently weather dependent. To maintain the coating very smooth, you may need to conduct a touch-up every year or two.
Slick Barrier Features
-- It shields outdoor furniture, signs, and boats from the sun and weather, and it may be used as a transparent finish on concrete and natural stone.
-- It is suitable for a wide range of surfaces, including stucco, concrete, and brick.
-- No specific equipment is required for application. Make use of a brush and other basic painting supplies.
-- Pesticide-free, and suitable for use in the presence of children and pets.
-- Eco-friendly low VOC (less than 90 g/l).
-- Pesticides can be used in conjunction with Slick Barrier. Pests will be kept outside, where insecticides will kill or incapacitate them.
Who are the founders?
Tony Gonzales is a married guy with four children who resides in Chandler but was born in Salida, Colorado. He aspired to be a professional baseball player as a child. But by the time he graduated from high school, he aspired to be a United States Senator for the state of New Mexico. As his first job, he worked as an apprentice for his father, a cabinet builder, and a woodworker. It was forced labor. In retrospect, he enjoyed spending time with his father. Tony had been a practicing attorney for almost 15 years before Slick Barrier, even owning his own legal office in 2008. Tony has received various honors, including a fellowship with the Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Program and representation at the National Nominating Convention. He is a Flagstaff Leadership Program graduate and has taught at Northern Arizona University and Coconino Community College. He is also the CEO of Averzion.
After graduating from the University of Phoenix, Aaron worked for Verizon Wireless for 5 years in various jobs. He established 95 Applications LLC in June 2017. In 2021, he joined Scorpion Ripple as a partner.
What is the cost and where to buy the product from?
The Slick Barrier is available in two variations, both of which are required for a successful treatment. The "large home bundle" includes a gallon of Slick Barrier Water Base, two quarts of Slick Barrier Solvent Base, a brush, gloves, and a cup. It costs $199, and all application instructions are available on video. Gallons of Slick Barrier range in price from $49 to $139. Slick Barrier is available online in kits for $100. In addition, a 50% 'Shark Tank' discount is now available. The product can be purchased at SlickBarrier.com and then applied by homeowners to the foundation of their home's facade. When the coating dries, the surface hardens and becomes glasslike, making it impossible for insects to scale the slippery region.
Where is Slick Barrier now?
The duo has only been selling their product for two years, but they claim that 5,000 families in the Valley are now utilizing it. The Gonzales boys are joined by another Pojoaque alum, Christian Baca, who entered the squad in 2018. Christian joined the organization as a partner, bringing his expertise as a former Las Vegas, New Mexico, fireman to the table. With their devotion and hard work, the team began promoting their unique product to local pest treatment firms, eventually catching the notice of the 'Shark Tank' producers. The trio of entrepreneurs will go on the show to pitch their idea to the sharks after months of preparation. So far, the response to their product has been extraordinarily favorable, and they attribute a large part of their success to the support of their local villages of Pojoaque and Española.
The barrier system concept was developed in 2013, but Tony and Aarons connected Slick Barrier Products with 95 Applications LLC Company in 2018. After the product was created, it was tested at Texas A&M University and New Mexico State University, and it was shown to be effective in controlling pests. In 2021, they patented the Pest Barrier System, and they presently have two patents pending. They initiated a 59-day Kickstarter campaign on May 31, 2022, however, they closed the campaign after raising $897. Following the cancellation of the campaign, they claimed that the product will be delivered to 9 backers by mid-July 2022. They provided the product directly to customers in 2022 for a DIY, low-cost solution that is also pesticide-free, making it suitable for pets and children.
Who will steal the deal?
Aaron and Tony are looking for a Shark's assistance in getting their product into every hardware shop and big box home center. Will the Sharks believe this is a slick plan? Shark Kevin O'Leary may make a bid. Shark Robert Herjavec may do the same. They both prefer utilitarian products. Shark Lori Greiner has extensive expertise in obtaining product placement at Lowe's and Home Depot. Sharks Mark Cuban and Daymond John, on the other hand, might not go for it.
'Shark Tank' Season 14, Episode 13 airs on ABC on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like FryAway, Anytongs, Copy Keyboard, and Slick Barrier.
Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, you can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.