Birdwatching isn’t just a fun pastime, it’s a great way to enjoy nature and improve your mental well-being. Listening to birds sing can actually help lower stress and increase happiness. However, many people who enjoy birdwatching have trouble attracting the birds they want to see in their backyards. That’s because most bird seeds sold in stores are very general and not made for specific types of birds in different areas. All types of birds can’t eat that food.
To solve this problem, Susan Vandergriff created a company called Happy Birdwatcher. She offers special types of birdseed that are customized for the types of birds found in your local area. She used bird sighting information based on your zip code. Her birdseed comes in environmentally friendly packaging, which is good for the planet too.
In her appearance on Shark Tank, Susan sought $150,000 for a 10% share of her business. She talked about her love for birdwatching and how her company is changing the birdseed market. Did the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out Happy BirdWatcher co update to find out!
The Happy BirdWatcher Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Susan Vandergriff asked for a $150,000 investment in exchange for 10% equity in her company. This meant she valued her company at $1.5 million. However, she did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks. After the show aired, Happy Birdwatcher saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. With an estimated 10% yearly growth rate (typical business growth), the current net worth of Happy Birdwatcher in 2025 is about $1.11 million.
Happy Birdwatcher is doing well and is still operating successfully. After they appeared on the show, they received a lot of attention, which has helped them sell more products and attract more customers. The owner, Susan, has a special way of creating birdseed by customizing it based on the location and the types of birds that are common in that area, which bird lovers really enjoy.
As of today, Happy Birdwatcher is concentrating on making their production better and reaching more customers. They are also committed to using eco-friendly packaging and high-quality ingredients for their products. Although the company is still working on becoming fully profitable. It has a loyal group of customers and innovative products, indicating a positive outlook for the future.
No, Happy Birdwatcher didn’t get a deal on Shark Tank. Susan was looking for $150,000 in exchange for a 10% ownership of her company. However, the Sharks expressed doubts about how the business would make money and its overall plan. Even though they liked Susan and appreciated her enthusiasm, none of the investors chose to invest in her company.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Daniel Lubetzky | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
The Happy BirdWatcher Shark Tank pitch
Susan Vandergriff, who loves watching birds, started a company called Happy Birdwatcher because she wanted to make better bird food. Growing up in Dunlap, Tennessee, she enjoyed observing different types of birds in her backyard and realized that they liked different kinds of food. She noticed that not all the birds eat standard bird seed sold in stores. She decided to create her own special mixes.
By looking at data on which birds were seen in specific areas, she made sure her custom blends would attract the birds that people wanted to see. Her enthusiasm for birdwatching and her focus on being environmentally friendly led her to launch Happy Birdwatcher in 2021.
Susan entered the Shark Tank, aiming to combine her passion for birdwatching with a business idea that could change how people buy birdseed. She introduced premium bird seeds that are made for different regions and the types of birds that live there.
Her standout product, the Simply Seeds Happy Seed Box, features a 10-pound bag of customized birdseed along with a special mix. Susan emphasized that each box is made on demand and comes in environmentally friendly packaging. She asked $150,000 for a 10% share of her business, looking for a partner who could help grow her company and make production more efficient.
Sharks asked several questions of the entrepreneur.
Mark Cuban wants to understand what Susan sells and how she makes money. Susan responded that she sells each Happy Seed Box for $49, and it costs her $26.79 to produce, allowing her to make roughly $22 profit per box.
Lori Griener inquires about the quality of Susan’s products and how they attract specific birds. Susan explains that her company uses local bird sighting data to create specialized seed mixes tailored to attract the types of birds people want to see.
Kevin expresses concerns about Susan’s profit margins and questions how she can grow her business effectively. Susan responded that the wild bird food market is huge ($4 billion), with many people in the U.S. owning bird feeders. She believes that with the right support, she can expand and make more money.
Barbara asks how Susan plans to utilize the help of the investors. Susan replied that she is seeking both financial support and guidance from experienced entrepreneurs to make her business successful and lasting.
Daniel points out that Susan still has work to do on her business model and asks about her plans to improve profitability. The entrepreneur mentions that she is looking at ways to cut costs and possibly introduce premium options (such as customized seed mixes) for an additional price.
Kevin finds Susan’s idea interesting but thinks her potential profits are too low for it to be a good investment. So, he decides not to invest.
Lori believes Susan’s product is too specialized and only appeals to a small group of consumers. While she admires Susan’s efforts, she feels it’s not a good fit for her investments and chooses to pass.
Barbara thinks Susan’s product would make her happy, but doesn’t believe it’s a viable business opportunity that would earn returns, so she’s not willing to invest.
Mark Cuban sees the potential of Susan’s offering but points out that she treats it like a product when it should function more like a service, suggesting that she needs better pricing strategies. Since he doesn’t think the current model is right, he’s also out.
Daniel recognizes something valuable in Susan’s concept, but emphasizes that she really needs to address her business structure to make it work. He decides not to invest at this point.
What Went Wrong With BirdWatcher On Shark Tank?
A birdwatcher who appeared on the show was trying to get investors, known as “Sharks,” to support her business. The Sharks raised some important concerns about her business model. Birdwatcher was spending a lot of money to make her products, which left very little profit after covering those costs. If a business has low margins, it can be hard to make enough money to stay successful.
The birdwatcher’s products were custom-made for each customer, meaning they were specially created to order. While this can attract some buyers, it makes it challenging to grow the business and sell a lot of products quickly, since each one takes extra time and effort to produce.
The Sharks suggested that the birdwatcher should think about separating her service from her product. This could make it easier to improve her profits by selling more standardized products or finding a different way to run the service. In the end, the Sharks were concerned that the way her business was set up might make it hard to earn a good profit and grow in the future.
Product Availability
Happy Birdwatcher sells custom bird seed blends on their website. When customers visit the site, they can fill out a short questionnaire about where they live and what types of birds they like. Based on their answers, they’ll get a birdseed mix tailored just for them. One of the products available is called the Simply Seeds Happy Seed Box, which contains a 10-pound bag of custom birdseed and a special mix. It costs $49. The company also uses packaging that is environmentally friendly and free of plastic.
Conclusion
Susan Vandergriff appeared on Shark Tank not just to pitch a business, but to share her love for birdwatching through her company, Happy Birdwatcher. Although she didn’t secure an investment deal on the show, the exposure helped her brand gain visibility and attract more customers.
Happy Birdwatcher offers a unique product: custom birdseed blends designed for specific regions and bird species. This innovation appeals to birdwatchers who want to enhance their experience and connect more deeply with nature.
As the company continues to improve its business strategy and grow, Susan’s passion and the uniqueness of her products suggest that Happy Birdwatcher could become popular among bird enthusiasts. By focusing on quality, customization, and sustainability, the brand has the potential to make a significant impact in the birdseed market.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib an undergraduate student of Bachelors in Business Administration. Shark Tank is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. The show provides a fascinating insight into the world of entrepreneurship by presenting creative solutions to common problems, which strongly connects to my academic interests. I’m interested in learning more about the strategic thinking and creativity that lead these companies as each pitch provides insightful information. I’ve found that watching Shark Tank has inspired my enthusiasm for business and entrepreneurship and has been a very enlightening and motivating experience. Apart from business and writing, I love food, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. Read more About me.
