For many dog owners, loud noises like fireworks, thunderstorms, or even construction sounds can be a nightmare. Dogs often get anxious, scared, or stressed during these situations, leaving their owners feeling helpless. Traditional solutions like calming treats or anxiety vests don’t always work, especially for highly sensitive dogs.
Seeing this problem, Kirsten Brand came up with an innovative solution—Pawnix, a pair of noise-canceling headphones designed specifically for dogs.
Pawnix headphones are not just cute accessories; they feature active noise cancellation and Bluetooth speakers to play soothing music, helping dogs stay calm during stressful events. Kirsten appeared on Shark Tank Season 13, hoping to secure an investment to grow her business. She asked for $150,000 in exchange for 10% equity in her company. At the time of her pitch, Pawnix had already made $105,000 in sales, proving there was some demand for the product.
However, despite the initial interest, none of the Sharks bit the bullet. They had concerns about the high price point, the niche market, and the practicality of the product. Even though Kirsten left without an investment, Pawnix continued to grow. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Kirsten’s journey, the Sharks’ reactions, and where Pawnix is today.
Pawnix Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Kirsten was looking for an investment of $150k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, she valued her company at $1.5 million. Kirsten did not get a deal from any of the Sharks. Since no deal was made, the company’s net worth stayed around $1.5 million. After the show was aired, Pawnix experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Pawnix is around $2.5 million.
Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kirsten Brand Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Kirsten Brand created Pawnix out of love for her own dog, Emma. Like many pets, Emma struggled with loud noises, especially fireworks. Kirsten noticed that regular noise-canceling headphones for humans didn’t fit dogs properly, and most solutions on the market didn’t effectively block out sound. Determined to help her furry friend, she designed a helmet-style headphone that comfortably fits a dog’s head while providing noise cancellation and Bluetooth connectivity.
Developing the product wasn’t easy. Kirsten faced challenges in designing a headphone that was both functional and comfortable for dogs. She had to ensure the headphones stayed securely in place without causing discomfort. After multiple prototypes, she finally launched Pawnix, offering four different sizes to fit various dog breeds.
When Kirsten walked into the Shark Tank, she presented her product with confidence. She explained how Pawnix worked and shared her sales figures—$105,000 in just about a year. She believed that with the right investment, she could scale production, improve marketing, and reach more pet owners. Her ask was $150,000 for 10% equity, valuing her company at $1.5 million.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
The Sharks were initially charmed by the idea and how adorable Emma looked wearing the headphones. However, their excitement quickly turned into skepticism as they dug deeper into the business.
Robert Herjavec was the first to voice his concerns. He loved dogs but felt the $200 price tag was too high for most pet owners. He also worried about the niche market, questioning whether enough people would spend that much on dog headphones. Because of these doubts, he decided to step out.
Lori Greiner agreed with Robert. While she thought the product was cute, she wasn’t convinced that dogs needed high-tech headphones. She wondered if simpler, cheaper solutions could achieve the same effect. Since she didn’t see a strong enough demand, she also bowed out.
Daymond John had a different issue—he found the product hard to explain to customers. He believed that marketing such a unique item would be challenging, and without a clear path to mass appeal, he wasn’t interested.
Mark Cuban, known for his love of innovative tech, surprisingly didn’t see enough potential in Pawnix. He simply wasn’t excited about the product and chose to pass.
Finally, Kevin O’Leary, the last remaining Shark, admitted that while the idea was interesting, it didn’t fit his investment portfolio. He didn’t see a big enough return on investment, so he also declined.
Despite her best efforts, Kirsten left the Tank without a deal.
What Went Wrong With Pawnix On Shark Tank?
Pawnix, a company offering headphones designed to help calm anxious dogs, didn’t get a deal from the Sharks mainly because they were worried the product wouldn’t do well in the market. Here are the reasons for their concerns: The headphones cost $200, which is considered too pricey for most pet owners who might not want to spend that much on dog products.
Not every dog has noise anxiety, so there’s a smaller group of dog owners who would actually need this product. In addition, many might choose cheaper options. Although the product is unique, it could be hard to effectively communicate its benefits to potential customers, making it challenging to sell. There are already cheaper and simpler dog calming products available, like vests or treats, which might be preferred by dog owners.
Even though the Sharks appreciated Kirsten’s enthusiasm for her product, they ultimately didn’t think Pawnix could grow into a big, successful company.
Product Availability
Even without a Shark deal, Pawnix is still available for purchase. The headphones come in four sizes and multiple colors to suit different dog breeds. Key features include:
– Active noise cancellation to block out loud sounds.
– Bluetooth connectivity to play calming music.
– Comfortable, adjustable fit to ensure dogs aren’t stressed by wearing them.
– Refurbished models at a lower price for budget-conscious buyers.
Customers can buy Pawnix directly from the company’s official website (https://pawnix.com). Kirsten also provides helpful tips on how to get dogs accustomed to wearing them and even suggests playlists designed to relax anxious pets.
Additionally, Pawnix has a Give & Grow program, where $5 from every purchase goes to dog-related charities. Customers can even choose to increase their donation amount.
What Happened To The Pawnix After Shark Tank?
Despite the rejection, Pawnix didn’t disappear. Kirsten continued to push her business forward. In an exclusive update, she shared that the Shark Tank appearance gave her brand a significant boost in sales.
As of today, Pawnix is on track to surpass $250,000 in sales, proving that there is a market for her product. She has also been working on expanding her product line, including Pawnix PJs—a set of calming pajamas for dogs, set to launch soon.
Kirsten remains committed to helping pets live happier, stress-free lives. While she didn’t get a Shark’s investment, her determination has kept Pawnix alive and growing.
Conclusion
Kirsten Brand’s journey on Shark Tank was bittersweet. While the Sharks didn’t invest in Pawnix, the exposure helped her business grow. Today, Pawnix is still thriving, with increasing sales and new products in development.
The biggest takeaway from Kirsten’s story is that rejection doesn’t always mean failure. Even without a deal, she continued to believe in her product and found success on her own terms. For dog owners struggling with noise anxiety in their pets, Pawnix remains a unique and innovative solution.
Would the Sharks regret not investing? Only time will tell, but for now, Kirsten and Emma are proving that sometimes, all you need is a little perseverance and a great product to keep moving forward.

Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.