Web designer and digital marketer Steve Gadlin came up with the idea while sitting in the bathroom: why not create custom cat-themed drawings for people? This led him to start the business “I Want to Draw a Cat for You,” which offers custom cat-themed drawings based on the specific requests of customers.
He wanted to grow his drawing business, so he appeared on Shark Tank Season 3. Do you think any of the Sharks invested in his business? Let’s find out.
| Company Name | I want to Draw a Cat for You | |
| Founder/Co-Founder | Steve Gadlin | |
| Founded | 2010 | |
| Product | Cat-themed base custom drawing | |
| Asked For | $10k for 25% equity | |
| Final Deal | $25k for 33% equity | |
| Shark | Mark Cuban | |
| Episode | S3 E2 | |
| Air Date | Jan 27th, 2012 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Greater Chicago Area, Illinois, United States | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | N/A *estimated | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
Business Pitch Episode Recap
Steve Gadlin asked the Sharks for $10,000 in exchange for 15% equity, valuing his business at $40,000. He even performed his signature dance move while explaining his business to the Sharks, mentioning that he charges $9.95 for each cat drawing, with $9.32 of that being profit.
Within just one year, Steve Gadlin sold 1,200 cat drawings, earning over $9,000 from his business.
Kevin O’Leary asked what Steve would do with the $10,000 investment if he received it. Steve responded by saying he would use the money to build an e-commerce platform to list his cat drawings and launch a line of cat-themed greeting cards.
Kevin O’Leary said that this is a small business, and he doesn’t want to invest in it, so he is out.
Robert Herjavec told Steve that appearing on the television show gave him free PR, but he’s concerned that even with this if the net results are only $7,000, he is out.
Mark Cuban offered $25,000 for 33% equity in the company, and Steve accepted the offer.
Sharks Offers list!
| Sharks | Offers |
|---|---|
| Mark Cuban | $25k for 33% equity |
| Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
| Robert Herjavec | No Offer |
| Barbara Corcoran | No Offer |
| Daymond John | No Offer |
| Founder’s (Countered) | No Counter |
| Final Deals | $25k for 33% equity |
I want to Draw a Cat for You Shark Tank Update
After receiving free PR and closing the deal with Mark Cuban, Steve’s cat drawing business saw a boost in sales, and many customers placed orders for custom cat drawings.
In 2013, Steve Gadlin was cast in the show “Steve Gadlin’s Star Makers,” which led him to pause his drawing business for a while. According to DNAinfo, by the time the episode aired in 2015, Steve had created 18,794 custom cat drawings over four years.
As of August 2024, “I Want to Draw a Cat” is still in business, but Steve has not yet disclosed any sales figures.
Check out Shark Tank Season 3 Business Update.
Here are some updates on the progress of businesses from Season 3. Check them out!
