The founders of Slick Barrier, a Gilbert-based pest product business, received a $500,00 funding deal on ABC’s Shark Tank episode Jan. 27.   

Shark Tank is a business reality television show where highly successful entrepreneurs, such as Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary, potentially invest in smaller businesses. Slick Barrier pitched its product to the sharks in a demonstration with crawling insects and rodents. Lori Greiner offered half-a-million for 15% stake in the company.  

 Slick Barrier offers a direct-to-consumer product that prevents insects, scorpions and rodents from entering any home or business. The one-time, clear coat formula application has been tested and patented, is pesticide-free and was created by childhood friends, Aaron Gonzales and Tony Gonzales.  

“I lived with the frustration of scorpions first-hand after finding an infestation in my home,” Aaron Gonzales said. “I was being stung, paying thousands of dollars to have the arachnids removed with traditional pesticides or prevented with sealing treatments, only to have them re-enter my home months later. This is what led me to develop this one-of-a-kind repellant we guarantee works.”  

During and after the episode, Slick Barrier also saw an increase in sales to $100,000 in one week. The owners are excited for the future this funding will provide. 

 “The Shark Tank experience was in one word, ‘intense,’” co-founder Tony Gonzales said. “Not only were we battling the sharks, but we did it demonstrating our product. It was an amazing experience.” 

 Slick Barrier offers gallons priced from $49 to $139. More information can be had at www.SlickBarrier.com/ .