From Quirky Sketches to $1M – The I Want to Draw a Cat For You Net Worth Story
As of 2025, I Want to Draw a Cat For You has $1 million net worth and $250K annual revenue.
I Want to Draw a Cat For You made a memorable pitch on Shark Tank, capturing the hearts of investors and viewers with its whimsical concept. As of 2025, the business has seen significant growth, achieving a net worth of over $1 million.
The company’s success includes a lucrative acquisition deal, multiple rounds of successful crowdfunding, and attracting notable investors. Major milestones include expanding their product line and partnering with prominent e-commerce platforms.
The business continues to thrive, maintaining a strong online presence and a dedicated customer base, solidifying its place in the quirky art niche.
I Want to Draw a Cat For You Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million |
| Annual Sales Revenue | $250,000 (2025) |
| Lifetime sales | Not available |
| Investor | Mark Cuban |
| Founder | Steve Gadlin |
| Employees | – |
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I Want to Draw a Cat For You Pitch on Shark Tank
| Company name | I Want to Draw a Cat For You |
| Product | Custom cat drawings |
| Episode | Season 03 Episode 04 |
| Founder | Steve Gadlin |
| Asked for | $10,000 for 25% equity |
| Final deal | $25,000 for 33% equity |
| Shark | Mark Cuban |
| Location | Greater Chicago Area |
What Happened After Shark Tank?
“I Want to Draw a Cat For You” was pitched on Season 3 of Shark Tank by Steve Gadlin, who asked for $10,000 in exchange for 25% of his quirky business. His entertaining pitch, complete with a self-composed jingle and dance, won over Mark Cuban. Instead of the asked amount, Cuban offered $25,000 for 33% equity, and Gadlin accepted.
Following the episode, the business experienced an enormous boost in visibility. Orders flooded in, and Gadlin ended up drawing nearly 19,000 custom cat illustrations for customers across the globe. The viral nature of the concept, along with media coverage and its association with Mark Cuban, turned the novelty act into a mini-sensation. It proved that a seemingly ridiculous idea, when marketed cleverly, could capture public attention and generate real revenue.
The post-Shark Tank period was marked by intense demand and creative expansion. Gadlin leveraged the momentum to explore other ventures, showing that even niche ideas can lead to wide exposure and unexpected success.
Mark Cuban’s Opinion on “I Want to Draw a Cat For You”
In a candid interview with journalist Gayle King, Mark Cuban opened up about his investment in I Want to Draw a Cat For You, a business often viewed as one of the most unconventional pitches in Shark Tank history. Despite the offbeat premise, Cuban revealed that his decision to invest wasn’t about cats at all; it was about the person behind the project.
“Absolutely nothing,” Cuban admitted when asked what he knew about cat drawings. “But every now and then… you have to invest in the person where the company is almost a sideline to the skill set of the individual.”
Cuban described Steve Gadlin, the founder of the business, as a creative visionary with impressive technical and marketing skills.
“Steve… is crazy but he’s also technological. Got great tech skills, he’s got great marketing skills, he’s got a great sense for PR, obviously.”
For Cuban, it wasn’t just the quirky idea that sealed the deal, it was Gadlin’s ability to stand out in a saturated market. He believes that real innovation happens away from the crowd.
“You never want to be number 101. You want to say, ‘Okay, all those people are doing the same thing, let me find something over here.’ Because those give you the greatest chance for a grand slam.”
Cuban’s insight shows that his investment wasn’t merely for novelty; it was a strategic move to back a uniquely talented entrepreneur capable of much more than just cat doodles. His opinion reinforces the idea that great business decisions often come from trusting vision, not trends.
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Investor Mark Cuban’s Other Businesses
Mark Cuban, the investor behind “I Want to Draw a Cat For You,” is one of the most prolific and recognizable Sharks on Shark Tank. Beyond his investment in Steve Gadlin’s quirky cat-drawing service, Cuban has backed dozens of businesses across industries like health, fashion, technology, and food.
Some of his most successful Shark Tank investments include:
- Ten Thirty One Productions – A live horror entertainment company that produces haunted attractions, one of Cuban’s biggest early-stage investments on the show.
- Simple Sugars – A skincare line developed by a teenage entrepreneur, which has seen massive growth since the show.
- Rugged Maniac – A popular obstacle race company that was later acquired by a larger entertainment firm.
- Bottle Breacher – A veteran-owned business that makes bottle openers from bullets and has expanded into a full lifestyle brand.
Outside of the Shark Tank ecosystem, Cuban is widely known as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team. He’s also invested in emerging tech companies like Cost Plus Drugs, an initiative to offer low-cost generic medications online.
“I don’t invest in companies. I invest in people.”
— Mark Cuban
His investment style often focuses on passionate founders, strong personal branding, and innovative ideas, even if they seem ridiculous at first, just like Gadlin’s cat-drawing idea. Cuban’s portfolio reflects his willingness to bet on creativity and authenticity over traditional business logic.
RELATED: Robert Herjavec Reveals How Mark Cuban Changed His Life
Is “I Want to Draw a Cat For You” Still in Business?
Yes, the business is still active and evolving. After taking a brief hiatus in 2015, Steve Gadlin brought it back to life a few years later. In 2019, he returned with a refreshed approach, creating digital cat drawings using an iPad and Apple Pencil, adding a modern twist to his original concept.
In 2020, Gadlin expanded to platforms like Cameo, where he began offering custom cat drawings with personalized video messages. His ability to adapt the business model for digital spaces has helped maintain relevance and appeal over time.
In 2022, he launched “The 2022 Cat Project,” drawing one cat per day and donating the proceeds to support fellow artists. This community-driven initiative brought new energy and purpose to the brand, showcasing Gadlin’s continued passion not just for quirky art, but for uplifting creativity as a whole.
Today, “I Want to Draw a Cat For You” remains a functioning business that thrives on novelty, humor, and heartfelt personalization.
Customer Reviews and Feedback on Their Products
Customer feedback for “I Want to Draw a Cat For You” is a blend of admiration and amusement, with a touch of playful skepticism. Many fans see the service as a fun, lighthearted gift idea that brings joy through simplicity.
“Your pep talk was very motivating and an added bonus to the cat drawing. Been a fan since we saw you on Shark Tank, genius idea.”
For customers who appreciate absurd humor and one-of-a-kind keepsakes, the experience delivers exactly what it promises. The stick-figure-style drawings, though intentionally simple, strike a nostalgic and comedic chord.
However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Some critics have questioned the value of the artwork for the price point.
“Yeah, it’s kinda terrible. $30, and none of them look like he cared at all or put any time into it.”
These mixed reviews reflect the niche appeal of the product. It’s not for those seeking detailed artistry, but it hits the mark for those looking for novelty and originality. Overall, it has carved out a loyal following that appreciates Gadlin’s quirky style and humor.
Why Did “I Want to Draw a Cat For You” Pause Operations in 2015?
In January 2015, Steve Gadlin made the decision to pause operations of “I Want to Draw a Cat For You.” The reason wasn’t due to failure or lack of demand, but rather a personal creative pivot. At the time, Gadlin was eager to explore new ventures and focus his energy on other ideas.
One major project he launched during this break was Steve Gadlin’s Star Makers, a television show that featured bizarre and entertaining performances. He also began experimenting with other business models and creative formats, staying true to his love of eccentricity and humor.
“I’ve always considered myself an idea guy, and sometimes you need to make space for the next big idea.”
The pause was temporary, and by 2019, the cat-drawing service returned, this time with a digital twist. Gadlin proved that taking a break for creative renewal can actually help reinvigorate a brand, especially one built on novelty and personal expression.
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I Want to Draw a Cat For You: Founder’s Story
I Want to Draw a Cat For You was founded by Steve Gadlin in 2011. Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Miami University. Steve has worked in several positions: Web manager, web developer, web marketer, and digital marketing director. He is also a writer and a comedian. Sketching was one of his passions that eventually turned into a successful business. He is the owner and the lead designer of I Want to Draw a Cat For You. He also serves as the Director of Digital Properties at Promethean. I Want to Draw a Cat For You’s founder, Steve Gadlin, has a net worth of over 1 million USD as of 2025.
Key accomplishments
| Year | Accomplishment |
| 2012 | I Want to Draw a Cat For You got featured on Shark Tank. |
| 2013 | Steve could sell over 18,000 cat drawings within a year after the pitch. |
| 2021 | Steve relaunched his firm. |
Conclusion
From their beginnings on Shark Tank to their current status as a thriving business, they have proven that with the right idea and execution, anything is possible. We can’t wait to see the future for I Want to Draw a Cat For You and its continued success.
