Johnny Georges Net Worth: Inside the Tree T-PEE Founder's Success
Johnny Georges' net worth sits at an estimated $100 million today—a financial journey that started with a simple plastic cone and a commitment to helping farmers save water.
The Tree T-PEE founder built his fortune from modest beginnings, growing his company valuation from just $750,000 before his Shark Tank appearance to what some estimates now place at approximately $120 million.
The turning point came in 2013 when Georges stepped onto the Shark Tank stage and secured $150,000 from investor John Paul DeJoria. Back then, each Tree T-PEE unit cost Georges $2.95 to produce and sold for $4.50, generating a slim $1.55 profit per unit.
The product now retails for around $9.95, reflecting its journey from local Florida invention to nationwide agricultural solution. The numbers behind Tree T-PEE tell a compelling story. The cone-shaped irrigation system cuts water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional watering methods, with some sources citing water conservation as high as 97%.
The device creates a mini greenhouse effect that directs water straight to tree roots while protecting against frost damage. When the Shark Tank episode aired, Georges received over 56,000 emails within 24 hours—proof that farmers and environmentally conscious consumers were ready for this kind of innovation.
All business starts with solving a real problem. For Georges, that problem was water waste in agriculture, and his solution has generated both significant wealth and meaningful environmental impact.
Johnny Georges Net Worth
Johnny Georges built his fortune by solving a problem that most people didn't even realize existed. The Tree T-PEE business, formally established as GSI Supply, Inc. in March 2005, represents more than just agricultural innovation—it's a case study in how purpose-driven products can generate substantial wealth while creating genuine value.
As of 2025, the company's estimated value stands at $100 million. But the real story lies in how Georges connected his water conservation solution to measurable business outcomes that resonate with farmers, investors, and environmentally conscious consumers alike.
Estimated net worth and sources of income
Tree T-PEE's revenue model demonstrates the power of solving a costly problem for a massive market. By late 2021, annual revenue reached approximately $5 million, validating the product's commercial viability beyond its environmental benefits.
The financial foundation started modestly. Georges originally sold each unit for $4.50, with production costs of $2.95 per unit. That $1.55 profit margin per unit might seem slim, but it reflected Georges' strategic decision to prioritize farmer adoption over immediate profit maximization.
This pricing philosophy proved essential for building the customer base that would eventually support the company's current valuation.
The approach worked because Georges understood his audience. Farmers operate on tight margins themselves, and a water conservation product that cost too much would defeat its own purpose. By keeping prices accessible, he built loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals that traditional marketing budgets couldn't buy.
How Tree T-PEE contributes to his wealth
The product's contribution to Georges' wealth stems from a combination of strategic pricing adjustments and proven value delivery:
After his Shark Tank appearance, the retail price increased to $9.95 per unit, more than doubling the original price while maintaining farmer accessibility. This price adjustment didn't hurt demand—instead, it reflected the product's established market value and the broader awareness generated by national television exposure.
The volume surge tells the real story. Following his Shark Tank pitch, Georges received 56,000 emails in a single night. That response wasn't just about television exposure—it validated that farmers nationwide were searching for exactly this type of solution.
Tree T-PEE's economic value proposition justifies its pricing through multiple operational benefits:
- Water usage reduction of approximately 90% compared to traditional methods
- Electricity and fuel savings from reduced pumping requirements
- Fertilizer usage decrease of 75%
- Herbicide reduction through weed growth prevention
- Mini greenhouse effect that accelerates tree growth
These combined savings create compelling ROI for farmers, making the product an investment rather than an expense. When customers see clear returns on their purchase, price sensitivity decreases and customer lifetime value increases.
Comparison with pre-Shark Tank valuation
The financial trajectory from Tree T-PEE's pre-Shark Tank valuation of approximately $750,000 to its current $100 million+ valuation illustrates how strategic partnerships can accelerate growth.
Georges requested $150,000 for a 20% equity stake, and John Paul DeJoria's investment provided more than just capital—it delivered credibility, business expertise, and network access.
The math is striking: Tree T-PEE's valuation increased by more than 130 times its pre-Shark Tank value in just over a decade. But Georges maintained his core principles throughout this growth.
The company continues providing affordable water conservation solutions while generating substantial revenue—proof that sustainable business practices and financial success can align when executed strategically.
This balance between profitability and purpose sets Tree T-PEE apart in agricultural innovation, where many companies struggle to scale while maintaining their founding mission.
The Early Days of Tree T-PEE
The Tree T-PEE story starts in Florida's citrus groves, where a father-son duo discovered that the best business ideas often come from the most frustrating problems. Long before Johnny Georges built his current fortune, he was learning lessons that would shape both his product and his approach to business.
Inspiration from Johnny's father
Rick Georges wasn't just Johnny's father—he was his first business mentor. Back in 1970, Rick invented the micro-sprinkler irrigation system that changed irrigation practices across the citrus industry. This innovation established the Georges family as problem solvers who understood agriculture from the ground up.
Working alongside his father from a young age, Johnny absorbed more than technical knowledge. Rick taught Johnny about hard work, persistence, and the importance of giving back. These weren't just nice sentiments—they became the foundation of Johnny's business philosophy, one that would prioritize helping farmers over maximizing personal profits.
"He lives on through me," Johnny has said about his father. "It's who we are, because when you're gone, you have nothing. It's not about the money to me. It's about doing what's right". This mindset explains why Johnny maintained modest profit margins on his invention for years, despite advice to increase prices.
Initial product design and purpose
The Tree T-PEE concept emerged around 1984 when Johnny was still in high school. The problem they were trying to solve was both labor-intensive and backbreaking: "banking trees"—a frost protection method where workers packed dirt around young trees each night to prevent freeze damage, then removed it the following morning.
After banking approximately 8,000 citrus trees with friends, Johnny told his father there had to be an easier way. Rick developed a simple cone to place around trees during frost warnings. The prototype worked for frost protection but still required manual installation and removal with each freeze warning.
Johnny refined his father's concept by making the base seven inches larger to accommodate micro-irrigation systems. This modification transformed the device from a temporary frost shield into a permanent water conservation system—a change that would prove crucial to its commercial success.
The environmental benefits were immediate and measurable. Each Tree T-PEE:
- Uses 800 gallons of water per tree annually instead of 25,000 gallons
- Reduces watering time from 10-12 hours to less than one hour
- Decreases fertilizer usage by 75%
- Minimizes herbicide needs by preventing weed growth
- Creates a mini-greenhouse effect for improved growth
Johnny also ensured the product was manufactured from 100% recyclable materials, building environmental responsibility into the design from day one.
Challenges in early adoption by farmers
Johnny's biggest obstacle wasn't technical—it was cultural. Convincing traditional farmers to change generations-old practices proved more difficult than perfecting the product itself. The agricultural community tends to be conservative about new methods, especially those that contradict conventional wisdom.
Johnny captured this challenge perfectly: "A farmer who never has used the Tree-T-Pee hates it and the farmer who has touched one loves it". This resistance meant building credibility one farmer at a time, proving effectiveness through real-world results rather than marketing promises.
Before his Shark Tank appearance, Johnny's market reach remained limited to just 42 nurseries within a five-county area in Florida. This geographic constraint significantly limited Tree T-PEE's financial potential, keeping the business small despite the product's proven benefits.
Johnny also maintained those slim profit margins—manufacturing each unit for $2.95 and selling for $4.50, generating only $1.55 profit per unit. This pricing reflected his commitment to farmers over personal gain, but it also constrained the company's ability to scale and invest in growth.
Despite these challenges, Johnny persisted with what observers called "unyielding tenacity". His dedication to his father's legacy and belief in water conservation would eventually turn a simple plastic cone into the foundation of a multi-million dollar enterprise.
The Shark Tank Turning Point
November 2013 changed everything for Johnny Georges. Walking onto the Shark Tank stage with his Tree T-PEE invention, he had no idea that one emotional pitch would catapult his modest Florida business into a nationwide phenomenon.
This wasn't just another product demonstration—it was the moment that would redefine his company's trajectory toward its current multi-million dollar valuation.
Johnny's pitch and emotional appeal
Georges stepped onto the stage asking for $150,000 in exchange for 20% equity in Tree T-PEE. His presentation began with the numbers: his product reduces water usage from 25,000 gallons per tree annually to just 800 gallons—a staggering 3,000% improvement in water efficiency.
But numbers alone don't move investors. What happened next did.
When Mark Cuban and Kevin O'Leary pressed Georges about his pricing strategy—manufacturing costs of $2.95 with a selling price of only $4.50—his response revealed the heart of his mission:
"I work for farmers. It's what I do, and helping them helps us all. People don't realize food doesn't grow on the shelves in the grocery store".
The room went silent. This wasn't a typical entrepreneur maximizing profits—this was someone genuinely committed to solving a problem that mattered. As Kevin O'Leary later admitted, "There wasn't a dry eye in the room that day".
John Paul DeJoria's investment deal
John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell Hair Products and Patron Spirits Company, sat among the Sharks that day. Something about Georges' authentic passion struck a chord. Without hesitation or negotiation, DeJoria offered exactly what Georges requested: $150,000 for 20% equity.
"When Johnny said that this Tree T-PEE saves 3,000 percent on water, you only use one-30th the water, that's when I knew this was good for farmers. It's good for America. I want to be this guy's partner," DeJoria explained.
The partnership went beyond money. As Georges put it: "John Paul has a saying: wealth un-shared is wasted. I'm absolutely in with him". Finding an investor who shared his values proved more valuable than any financial terms.
Immediate public and media response
The episode's broadcast triggered an avalanche of interest that fundamentally shifted Johnny's business:
Within 24 hours, Johnny received over 56,000 emails expressing interest. Thousands of Tree T-PEEs sold almost overnight. The segment became one of the most emotional moments in Shark Tank history.
This response validated not just the product's commercial potential, but Georges' mission itself. As he later reflected, "For me, it was just go up there, be yourself, and hopefully they like you. If not, well, they get to show the world what we're doing to conserve water".
The Shark Tank effect had done what years of local sales couldn't: it transformed Georges from selling to just 42 nurseries in five Florida counties into a national story that proved authenticity and purpose could drive both financial success and meaningful impact.
Post-Shark Tank Growth and Expansion
John Paul DeJoria's investment changed everything. Tree T-PEE shifted from a regional Florida operation to a global agricultural solution, with Johnny Georges' net worth climbing alongside the company's expanding footprint.
Retail partnerships and price changes
GSI Supply wasted no time securing strategic retail partnerships. The product landed shelf space at Home Depot locations, particularly in Florida. This retail presence marked a significant shift from Johnny's original direct-to-farmer sales approach.
Tree T-PEE also tapped into the home gardening market through a 2024 partnership with Tropica Mango Rare and Exotic Tropical Fruit Tree Nursery. The collaboration opened doors to individual consumers interested in water conservation for their personal gardens.
The most telling change? Price adjustment from $4.50 to $9.95 per unit. Rather than hurt sales, this increase validated the product's value proposition. Customers understood they were investing in long-term water savings, not just buying another farming tool.
International market reach
Tree T-PEE's geographic expansion tells the story of a product that resonated far beyond Florida's citrus groves. The company now serves markets across:
- Australia
- Europe
- Middle East
Additional global distribution continues to expand, proving that water conservation challenges—and solutions—cross international borders.
Revenue growth and valuation increase
The numbers speak for themselves. That first night after Shark Tank aired brought 56,000 emails and thousands of orders. By late 2021, annual revenue hit approximately $5 million.
Tree T-PEE's valuation jumped from $750,000 pre-Shark Tank to over $100 million by 2024—a
133x increase that reflects both market demand and strategic execution.
The business model evolved beyond direct sales to include partnerships with agricultural supply distributors and retailers. This multi-channel approach expanded reach while maintaining the affordable pricing that originally defined Johnny's mission.
Success at this scale requires balancing growth with core values. Johnny proved that helping farmers and building wealth don't have to be competing priorities—they can be complementary strategies.
Environmental and Social Impact
Johnny Georges built his wealth on a simple principle: what's good for farmers is good for business. Tree T-PEE's environmental benefits aren't just feel-good marketing—they're the foundation of its commercial success and a key driver of Georges' $100 million net worth.
Water conservation drives real savings
The numbers tell the story. Tree T-PEE cuts water consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional irrigation methods. Trees using this system consume only 800 gallons annually versus 25,000 gallons with conventional watering. That efficiency comes from directing water precisely to tree roots, minimizing evaporation and runoff.
A University of Florida study validated what farmers already knew: 93% less water, fertilizer, electricity, and fuel needed when using Tree T-PEE. These aren't just environmental wins—they're cost savings that justify the product's price point and drive repeat purchases.
Multiple benefits create competitive advantage
Tree T-PEE delivers value beyond water conservation:
- Made from 100% recycled plastic with a 20-year lifespan
- Reduces fertilizer usage by 75%
- Decreases herbicide needs by preventing weed growth
- Creates a micro-greenhouse effect, adding 10-12 degrees (sometimes 20 degrees) of warmth
The result? Tree growth accelerates by approximately 30%, delivering both economic and environmental returns for farmers. When customers see faster growth and lower operating costs, they become advocates for the product.
Global recognition validates the approach
The Israeli Minister of Agriculture called Georges personally to praise Tree T-PEE's water-saving capabilities. Environmental organizations consistently recognize the device for addressing critical farming challenges, cementing Georges' reputation as both entrepreneur and environmental pioneer.
This recognition matters because it validates Georges' business strategy: sustainable solutions can generate substantial profits when they solve real problems for customers.
Conclusion
Johnny Georges built more than a business—he built a bridge between profitability and purpose. The Tree T-PEE story proves that staying true to your mission doesn't mean sacrificing financial success. Sometimes it's the path to it.
What started in Florida citrus groves became a global solution for water conservation. The trajectory from local inventor to $100 million company owner wasn't just about scaling a product. It was about scaling values. Georges never abandoned his commitment to farmers, even as his wealth grew and opportunities expanded.
The Shark Tank moment changed everything, but not because of the money. It was the validation that authenticity sells. When 56,000 people reached out in 24 hours, they weren't just responding to a product—they were responding to a person who put farmers before profit margins.
Today's business landscape demands this kind of alignment. Companies that solve real problems while maintaining genuine values build lasting wealth. Georges proved you don't have to choose between doing good and doing well. The Tree T-PEE succeeded because it delivered both environmental impact and economic results.
His father Rick's influence shaped more than just the product design. It shaped a business philosophy that prioritized helping people over maximizing returns. That philosophy didn't limit growth—it enabled it. When you solve real problems for real people, sustainable success follows.
The numbers speak for themselves, but the story speaks louder. Water conservation, sustainable agriculture, and farmer support aren't just good business—they're essential business. Georges saw this connection early and built his entire company around it.
From banking trees as a teenager to building a global agricultural solution, Johnny Georges created lasting value by staying focused on what matters: helping farmers grow more with less. That focus generated both significant wealth and meaningful impact—proof that the best business stories start with solving problems that actually matter.
FAQs
Q1. What is Johnny Georges' estimated net worth?
Johnny Georges' net worth is estimated to be around $100 million, primarily due to the success of his Tree T-PEE invention and company.
Q2. How does the Tree T-PEE work?
The Tree T-PEE is a cone-shaped irrigation system that reduces water usage by up to 90% compared to traditional methods. It directs water to tree roots, creates a mini-greenhouse effect, and protects against frost damage.
Q3. How did Shark Tank impact Johnny Georges' business?
After appearing on Shark Tank, Johnny Georges received a $150,000 investment from John Paul DeJoria, which led to explosive growth in product awareness, demand, and eventually expanded his business internationally.
Q4. What are the environmental benefits of using Tree T-PEE?
Tree T-PEE significantly reduces water usage, decreases fertilizer needs by 75%, minimizes herbicide use, and is made from 100% recyclable materials, making it an environmentally friendly agricultural solution.
Q5. How has Tree T-PEE's pricing changed since its inception?
Initially, Tree T-PEE was sold for $4.50 per unit. After the Shark Tank appearance and subsequent growth, the price increased to $9.95 per unit, reflecting its increased market value while remaining affordable for farmers.