Broccoli Wad is a unique product inspired by the New York City mafia. It was created by Johnny Gennaro and Vinny Pastore. The product is a money clip made from a high-strength silicone rubber band. It’s designed to hold cash securely. The product is different from regular wallets and cash clips. Johnny thought of the idea and later brought Vinny Pastore on board.
They wanted to make a product that would help people carry their money in a cool way. They decided to pitch it on Shark Tank. They were asking for $50,000 for 20% of the business. The product’s goal was to offer a new way for men to carry cash. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out the Broccoli Wad update!
Broccoli Wad Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Vinny Pastore and Al DiGioia went on Shark Tank asking for $50,000 for 10% of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $500,000. They made a deal with Daymond John for $50,000 for 40%, lowering the value to $125,000. The episode was aired on February 18, 2011. The company had a brief period of sales but shut down soon after. The current net worth of Broccoli Wad is $0 in 2025.
After their appearance on Shark Tank, Broccoli Wad got attention. The company received a deal from Barbara Corcoran. She offered $50,000 for 40% of the business. But despite the initial excitement, the company faced difficulties. Broccoli Wad was not able to keep up its momentum. It struggled with growth and marketing. As of 2024, the company seems to be out of business.
There is no active website or social media presence. The product was sold on Amazon for a few years. However, Johnny and Vinny eventually decided to close the business. Even though they got a deal on Shark Tank, things did not work out as they hoped.
Yes Broccoli Wad got a deal on Shark Tank. Barbara Corcoran offered $50,000 for 40% equity in the business. The founders initially asked for $50,000 for 20% equity. However, Barbara saw potential in the product but wanted to make a change. She suggested that Vinny’s face be added to the product.
This made it more personal and aligned with the mafia theme. Johnny and Vinny agreed to Barbara’s terms and they accepted the deal. But even though they got a deal on Shark Tank, the deal never closed in the end.
| Shark(s) Name | Offer & Demand | Counter Offer | Accepted? |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Barbara Corcoran | $50,000 for 40% equity | N/A | Yes |
| Jeff Foxworthy | Out | N/A | N/A |
Broccoli Wad Shark Tank pitch
Johnny Gennaro and Vinny Pastore founded Broccoli Wad. Johnny was the first to have the idea. He aimed to design a money clip that would attract men. He observed that the majority of men utilized rubber bands to secure their money. Johnny wondered why not create a product that appears superior and functions more efficiently? He chose to establish the Broccoli Wad. The item consists of a silicone strap featuring a metal plate.
It encases cash to ensure its safety. Vinny Pastore noticed Johnny’s idea. Vinny is an actor from The Sopranos series. He found the concept appealing and became a part of the business. They joined forces to sell Broccoli Wad. They aimed to merge a functional item with a stylish mafia-themed flair. However, it was challenging at first. They encountered difficulties in helping people comprehend the product.
The company faced challenges with promotion and financing as well. Nonetheless, they succeeded in advancing. They chose to present the product on Shark Tank.
Johnny and Vinny appeared on Shark Tank during Season 2. They introduced Broccoli Wad to the Sharks. They clarified that the item was a money clip. It is constructed from a durable silicone rubber band. The band is adorned with a gold or silver plate. Johnny mentioned that the item is intended for men. Men commonly utilize rubber bands to keep their cash together. However, Broccoli Wad provides a superior and more chic method to accomplish this.
The item includes a set of four bands featuring metal slides. The selling price ranges from $10 to $14. Johnny and Vinny had previously put approximately $200,000 into the business. They had also produced commercials featuring cast members from The Sopranos. Furthermore, Vinny struck agreements with casinos to advertise the product. Johnny and Vinny were seeking $50,000 for a 20% stake in their company. They were optimistic that a Shark would put money into their concept.
The Sharks were curious about the product. Robert Herjavec was uncertain regarding the worth of Broccoli Wad. He didn’t believe it was worth the price that Johnny and Vinny were requesting. Barbara Corcoran promptly stepped outside. She failed to grasp the product and overlooked its possibilities. Johnny stated that Broccoli Wad was intended for men. Men frequently hold cash with rubber bands thus the product was designed for that demographic.
Vinny further elaborated that the product drew inspiration from mafia culture. This was the crucial factor that set it apart. Guest shark Jeff Foxworthy showed interest in the product. He mentioned that wallets were getting excessively large and other money clips were ineffective. Kevin O’Leary was curious about Johnny and Vinny’s strategy for selling the product.
He inquired about the marketing approach. Johnny mentioned that they intended to utilize television advertisements and additional promotions.
Daymond John inquired about the investments of company. Johnny claimed they had previously invested $200,000. This astonished the Sharks. They were amazed by the extensive effort the founders had invested in the business. Robert Herjavec inquired about the absence of Vinny’s face on the product. Johnny mentioned that it was a great idea. The majority of the Sharks concurred.
This would aid in making the product more individualized and appealing in the market. Barbara Corcoran stated that she would back the inclusion of Vinny’s face on the product. She believed it would assist with branding. This marked a significant turning point in the presentation.
The Sharks had mixed reactions to Broccoli Wad. Barbara was the first to offer a deal. She liked the idea of adding Vinny’s face to the product. She made an offer of $50,000 for 40% equity in the business. Half of the 40% equity would go to Vinny. This deal was contingent on Vinny’s face being added to the packaging. Robert Herjavec thought this was a good deal. He agreed with Barbara’s offer. Kevin O’Leary didn’t make an offer.
He didn’t think the product would work. Jeff Foxworthy was also interested but didn’t make an offer. Daymond John didn’t offer anything either. Johnny and Vinny were excited about Barbara’s offer. Vinny accepted the deal on Johnny’s behalf. They hugged Barbara and left Shark Tank with a deal.
What Went Wrong With Broccoli Wad On Shark Tank?
Despite the deal, things didn’t go as planned. After the show, Johnny revealed that he never intended to take the deal with Barbara. He said he was there for the exposure. This was a surprise as it seemed like the company was going to get a major boost. Johnny and Vinny did take some advice from the Sharks. They added Vinny’s face to the product. However, the business faced challenges.
It struggled with marketing and keeping up with demand. Broccoli Wad had a brief period of success after Shark Tank but it didn’t last. Johnny and Vinny eventually decided to shut down the business. Despite the initial success, Broccoli Wad couldn’t sustain its momentum.
Product Availability
Broccoli Wad is no longer available. After the Shark Tank appearance, the product was sold on Amazon for a while. The product was marketed as a stylish way to carry cash. It came with four bands and metal plates. The price ranged from $10 to $14. Broccoli Wad was available for purchase online. The company had a website at one point but it is no longer active.
Johnny and Vinny eventually decided to close the business. The product is no longer available for sale. There are no retail stores that carry it. The website and social media pages have disappeared.
Conclusion
Broccoli Wad had an exciting journey. It started with a unique idea inspired by mafia culture. Johnny and Vinny pitched the product on Shark Tank and got a deal from Barbara Corcoran. However, things didn’t go as planned. Despite the initial success, the company eventually shut down. The deal with Barbara never closed. Johnny and Vinny moved on to new ventures. The Broccoli Wad is no longer available for purchase.
Hey there, I’m Fatima Muhammad, an International Relations student, with a focus on the strategic dynamics of global relations, One of my favorite shows is Shark Tank. I love it because it showcases the creativity, determination, and strategic thinking of entrepreneurs, which I find inspiring. The show also teaches valuable lessons about innovation, business dynamics, and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges. Read more About me.
