Paul Watts walked off Shark Tank with no deal and no regrets. In 2025, his business is thriving under a new name, Watts Removal Products, serving governments, contractors, and property owners nationwide.
This is the story of how a simple cleaning service evolved into a multi-million dollar eco-brand without any Shark’s help.
What Made Graffiti Removal Services Stand Out in Shark Tank Season 1
When Paul Watts entered Shark Tank in Season 1, Episode 4 (2009), he introduced Graffiti Removal Services, a mobile franchise that specialized in removing graffiti using non-toxic, biodegradable products.
Watts asked for $350,000 in exchange for 15 percent equity, valuing the business at over $2 million. His pitch focused on community pride, urban cleanliness, and environmental sustainability.
The Sharks saw potential, but only at a steep cost
Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec countered with $350,000 for 75 percent equity, which Watts refused
“I’m offering you a future in clean cities. But I can’t give away 75 percent of my vision,” Paul said during the pitch.
He walked away from the deal, triggering Kevin’s infamous reaction
“You’re dead to me if you turn around,” Kevin snapped as Paul exited the stage.
That rejection sparked the beginning of something much bigger
Graffiti Removal Services Pitch on Shark Tank (Quick Info Card).
| Company name | Graffiti Removal Services |
| Product | Graffiti Removal |
| Episode | Season 01 Episode 04 |
| Founder | Paul Watts |
| Asked for | $350,000 for 15% equity |
| Final deal | No deal |
| Sharks | None |
| Location | USA |
RELATED: 14 Best Shark Tank Pitches from Each Season
What Changed After the Shark Tank Appearance
After Shark Tank, Watts didn’t quit. He pivoted. In 2011, he relocated to Portland, Oregon, a city that embraced his sustainability-first approach.
He also shifted from a service-based model to a product-based business, relaunching under the name Watts Removal Products
The company now sells a full range of graffiti removal solutions including
- Cleansweep® for delicate surfaces
- Knockout® for tough, layered graffiti
- Walkoff® for bricks and masonry
- Anti-Graffiti Coating for long-term protection
These products are now used by city councils, real estate developers, schools, and public works departments. Paul’s post-show success story has been highlighted in interviews such as his appearance on Metal Coffee Shop, where he discussed product development and his growth journey
“The show gave me visibility, but I grew when I started listening to what cities and communities actually needed,” Paul shared in a 2023 interview.
By 2021, the company reported nearly $4 million in annual revenue with sales channels through Amazon, government contracts, and their own e-commerce store
Graffiti Removal Services Net Worth 2025
As of 2025, the company now known as Watts Removal Products has an estimated net worth between $5 million and $16 million
This growth is driven by
- Product innovation and repeat business from municipalities
- Expansion into international markets including Canada and Australia
- Online sales and distribution scaling year over year
“Keeping 100 percent equity gave me flexibility to pivot, grow, and stay true to the mission,” Paul explained in a follow-up interview.
By declining the Shark Tank deal, Watts retained full ownership. Every dollar in growth belongs to him and his team
Did Any Investors Back Graffiti Removal Services
Graffiti Removal Services did not secure a deal on Shark Tank. Paul declined the offer from Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec, opting to maintain full ownership
Since the show, there have been no outside investors or funding rounds. Watts scaled his company independently
Learn more about the pitch and investor background on the Shark Tank Blog
If you were a Shark, would you have invested in Graffiti Removal Services?
Where Is Watts Removal Products Heading in 2025 and Beyond
In 2025, Watts Removal Products is still expanding. Here’s what’s ahead
- New product line featuring a spray-on biodegradable sealer for graffiti-prone historical buildings
- Partnerships in Canada and early-stage negotiations in Australia
- Community projects including graffiti clean-up toolkits for nonprofits and school programs
Customer reviews across platforms remain strong
“This product works like magic. Removed years of graffiti in minutes. Worth every cent,” — Verified Amazon Customer
The company’s Amazon storefront reflects its growing national reach
RELATED: Things You Should Know About Shark Tank that every entrepreneur’s dream TV show
What’s Next for Paul Watts
Paul remains CEO and is focused on launching an educational arm of the business in 2026. This initiative will offer
- Free training for municipalities and community groups
- Online tutorials to improve product use and graffiti prevention
- Resources for schools and local youth to learn about civic responsibility
You can follow Paul’s updates and thought leadership on LinkedIn
TL;DR
Graffiti Removal Services rebranded as Watts Removal Products and grew to a $16M business after walking away from Shark Tank.
