Maniac Pumpkin Carvers Shark Tank Update | Maniac Pumpkin Carvers Net Worth

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers is a creative business specializing in high-end, custom pumpkin carvings that appeared in Episode 05, Season 15 of Shark Tank.

This Brooklyn-based company was founded by lifelong friends Marc Evan and Chris Soria, who have turned their passion for art and Halloween into a professional enterprise. 

They offer intricately carved pumpkins that transcend traditional jack-o’-lanterns, elevating them to art.

Their work spans from artistic renditions of famous paintings to corporate logos and custom designs, catering to a clientele of prestigious institutions and big brands.

Their product is unique due to the artistry and craftsmanship involved. Each carving is treated as an individual piece of art, with some carvings taking upwards of 16-20 hours to complete. 

This is because the team employs a variety of artistic tools, such as wood carving instruments, chisels, linoleum cutters, and specialized pumpkin carving tools. The detailed and precise results capture the essence of the subjects they replicate.

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers’ products are remarkable in their ephemeral nature; pumpkins are perishable goods that decompose soon after carving.

Therefore, the team works within a limited timeframe to deliver these masterpieces as soon as needed, ensuring they look their best for the client’s event or display.

Choosing Maniac Pumpkin Carvers means opting for a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted showpiece far removed from the typical Halloween decoration. 

Their pumpkins are not just festive items but statements of high-quality artistry, perfect for companies, events, or individuals looking to make a solid visual impact during the Halloween season. 

While they come with a premium price tag reflecting the work’s time, skill, and temporary nature, these carvings offer an exclusive and memorable experience that stands out among conventional holiday decor.

What Is Maniac Pumpkin Carvers?

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers is a complete creative arts studio offering a wide variety of services related to pumpkin carving. They specialize in creating intricate and detailed pumpkin carvings, including custom work such as etching-style carvings, logos and branding, portraits, movie posters and album art, characters, celebrities, and icons. 

The studio also offers high-resolution photography and time-lapse videos to document the creation of pumpkin art. Additionally, they conduct classes and corporate team-building activities to help individuals improve their pumpkin carving skills. 

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers also provides live carving events, demonstrations, installations, and services for weddings and special occasions. Their work is known for its attention to detail, creativity, and ability to engage audiences of all ages.

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers has gained global recognition for pushing the boundaries of pumpkin carving, transforming it from a nostalgic pastime into a prestigious art form.

Maniac has established an excellent reputation by collaborating with renowned figures in entertainment, sports, top brands, media companies, and esteemed institutions.

Their exceptional pumpkins have been showcased at esteemed venues such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, various galleries, and high-profile events. 

With childhood friends Chris Soria and Marc Evan as co-founders, Maniac has revolutionized the world of pumpkin carving, setting new standards of intricacy and innovation in their craft. 

The team at MPC consists of talented artists from diverse backgrounds, including many participants and winners of Food Network’s Halloween Wars. Notably, MPC Co-Founder Marc Evan served as a judge on the popular show Outrageous Pumpkins.

Who Is The Founder Of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers?

The founders of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers are Chris Soria and Marc Evan. Both founders have a background in the arts and shared a fondness for Halloween festivities since high school, where they began their foray into the holiday season by creating haunted houses for their community. 

Their journey towards professional pumpkin carving began as students at Parsons School of Design. While at Parsons, they rediscovered their passion for Halloween and found a specific interest in pumpkin carving.

This interest led them to experiment with the craft, spurring innovation and allowing them to develop a unique style that captured widespread attention. 

Their early media coverage led to requests from major clients such as the New York Yankees and Food Network, encouraging them to establish Maniac Pumpkin Carvers as a professional business. 

The idea behind creating Maniac Pumpkin Carvers was built upon their passion for artistry and the joy of the Halloween season. It combined with the desire to transform the traditional view of pumpkin carving into an art form featuring detailed portraits, landscapes, and bespoke designs.

Before appearing on Shark Tank, Maniac Pumpkin Carvers had evolved from a modest operation started in a basement apartment to a full-scale venture. 

With a dedicated team of artists, they moved from Brooklyn to Nyack, New York, and set up their studio at Ridge Hill in Yonkers, New York, known as Maniac HQ. 

This space served as the creative hub where they produced high-quality, custom-carved pumpkins and offered services beyond traditional carving. 

They also engaged in teaching and media services, including high-resolution photography and time-lapse video documentation of their creations. 

Their work had been recognized in prestigious venues and publications before their appearance on Shark Tank in Season 15, Episode 5, aired on October 27, 2023.

How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers?

Founders Presentation:

• Entrepreneurs Marc Evan and Chris Soria, high school best friends, and founders of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, introduced their business on Shark Tank Season 15.
• They showcased their skills in pumpkin carving with an impressive display of carved pumpkins.
• The duo expressed their goal to expand their business by starting an online school to teach pumpkin carving skills.
• They have a history of teaching art and wanted to guide people beyond traditional jack-o-lantern carvings to more elaborate designs.

Investment Sought:

• The founders asked for $150,000 in exchange for 8% equity in their company, valuing Maniac Pumpkin Carvers at $1.875 million.

Sharks’ Reaction and Offers:

• Kevin O’Leary was curious about how they could personalize a pumpkin, such as carving his face, but learned it’s all done by hand without lasers.
• Mark Cuban inquired about the cost of a custom carving and joked about wanting to smash a pumpkin with Kevin O’Leary’s face on it.
• Guest shark Jason Blum questioned the scalability due to the seasonal nature of the business.

Sharks’ Concerns and Reasons for Declining:

• Barbara Corcoran suggested that the founders’ skills could be applied beyond pumpkins to things like sand castles and was not interested due to the business’s seasonality.
• Kevin O’Leary doubted the business’s scalability.
• Mark Cuban wasn’t interested in a pumpkin carving business.
• Lori Greiner did not see the sense in competing with existing pumpkin carving tools and stencils on the market.
• Jason Blum was not convinced the business could sell more products without compromising the artists’ happiness.

Conclusion and Final Deal:

• All sharks declined to make an offer.
• Marc Evan and Chris Soria left Shark Tank without securing an investment for Maniac Pumpkin Carvers.

Despite not getting a deal, Maniac Pumpkin Carvers continued to operate. They experienced a boost in sales following their appearance on Shark Tank.

The company does offer various services, events, and seminars through its website, with plans to develop proprietary tool kits in the future. However, as of the pitch recap, no pumpkin carving kits were available.

Did Maniac Pumpkin Carvers Get a Deal on Shark Tank?

No, Maniac Pumpkin Carvers did not get a deal on Shark Tank. All five Sharks, namely Barbara, Kevin, Mark, Lori, and guest Shark Jason, opted out of investing in the business for various reasons.

Barbara didn’t see the potential for year-round market expansion; Kevin didn’t view it as a scalable business; Mark doubted the mass market appeal of online pumpkin carving classes.

Lori felt there was too much competition in the pumpkin carving tool market. Despite recognizing the founders as terrific artists, Jason decided it wasn’t a viable commercial investment for him.

What Happened To Maniac Pumpkin Carvers After Shark Tank?

After appearing on Shark Tank, Maniac Pumpkin Carvers did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks; however, they still benefited from the exposure. 

The company has continued to thrive by offering personalized pumpkin artwork, live carving demonstrations, and pumpkin carving courses. 

Despite not getting a Shark deal, the appearance on the show provided them with national television exposure, which helped boost their business. 

They have continued to operate successfully, especially during the Halloween season, and have a team of more than sixteen people working at their headquarters in New York City. As such, Maniac Pumpkin Carvers remains in business with a net worth estimated at $1 million.

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers Shark Tank Update

Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, led by Chris Soria and Marc Evans, continue thriving after their appearance on ‘Shark Tank.’ They have expanded their services and partnerships, contributing to their growth. 

The company has been involved in various events, such as carving a giant pumpkin at Luna Park and participating in fall festivals. They have also made television appearances on shows like ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Rachael Ray Show,’ and have been featured in notable publications. 

Their success includes winning on Food Network’s ‘Halloween Wars’ and Marc Evan serving as a judge on ‘Outrageous Pumpkins.’ 

They have collaborated with brands like BMW and have been recognized in the arts scene, with displays at prominent museums and venues like Yankee Stadium. 

The business offers various services, including live carving events, classes, decorations, digital assets, and more, available from Labor Day onward.

Are Maniac Pumpkin Carvers Still In Business?

Our research shows that Maniac Pumpkin Carvers is still in business. The company, founded by Marc Evan and Chris Soria, specializes in high-end, custom pumpkin carving art and is involved in various activities related to pumpkin carving, including events, classes, demonstrations, and custom orders. 

Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, they have generated sales from their online classes and toolkits, with significant revenue reported in the last three years. 

The growth in sales and their active social media presence indicate that Maniac Pumpkin Carvers continues to operate and serve customers. Their net worth is expected to reach $1 million in the next six months, suggesting ongoing business activities and financial growth.

What Is the Net Worth Of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers?

According to our research, the net worth of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers is estimated to be $1 million. The valuation of Maniac Pumpkin Carvers was $1.875 million, as presented by its founders on Shark Tank.

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