In the world of the miniature, where the whimsical meets the practical, Mini Materials has discovered a niche that’s anything but small. As the world’s leading miniature construction company, Mini Materials is all about providing educational tools that make learning a hands-on experience. Under its new owner, Jared Waters, the company appeared on Shark Tank but didn’t close a deal. Currently, Mini Materials is worth an estimated $500,000.
Jared Waters’ Background
Tracing its roots back to 2015, Mini Materials was started by Mat Hofma and Erik Polumbo. Mat is an art director, and Erik is a real estate broker and serial entrepreneur.
Together, they spotted a void in the market for realistic, scaled-down construction materials. Their target audience? Hobbyists, professionals, and dreamers alike, crafting pint-sized architectural marvels.
As time went by, their product line expanded but the product sizes stayed small. By 2022, they were already selling over 150 different items. With a staff of five people, they sold more than 250,000 cement products and grew 12% in gross sales in that year alone.
Mini Materials Acquisition
The acquisition by Jared Waters marked a new chapter for Mini Materials. Relocating operations from Virginia Beach to Portland, Oregon, Waters infused the business with fresh energy. Before swooping in, he had been following Mini Materials’ journey for some time.
Under his leadership, the business continued to thrive. He was able to introduce 30 new products in just six months leveraging technology like laser cutting, substrate printing, and 3D printing.
Waters kept Mat and Erik’s primary client base, which includes fingerboarders, model makers, dollhouse designers, diorama builders, STEM/STEAM educators, and model train enthusiasts.
After Shark Tank
Given how much Waters invested to buy the company, getting on Shark Tank is one way to get a fast return on your money! The episode aired in November 2023, and the hype should have helped them sell at least $50,000 worth of product in a week.
Their website, MiniMaterials.com, is already getting bombarded with traffic. With an impeccable 5-star rating from over 460 reviews, their offerings range from custom cinder blocks to red bricks and wood pallets that can be personalized with a logo. But it’s not just about the raw materials; the company also makes street signs, furniture, and decorative pieces that add life and realism to any miniature project.
Before Jared Waters’ acquisition, skeptics might have dismissed the niche for scaled-down building materials as limited. However, Mini Materials was already proving its worth with a steady income of $20,000 per month as reported by TrepTalks.com.
Mini Materials stands on the brink of tapping into a market worth millions. With a diverse clientele and limited competition, the question isn’t whether they can lead the market – it’s just how big this miniature empire can grow.
