Sure Fire Cube

Sean Price, from Elgin (near Kingston), Ontario, asked for $125,000 for 25% of his business, the Sure Fire Cube. The product is a wood fire starter box made from wood shavings arranged with ventilation holes and a chimney design that produces a 12-inch flame and burns for about 12 minutes without chemicals or accelerants. It costs about $1 to $1.20 to produce and retails for $2.99. Sean sold 117 boxes in one day at a Canadian Tire demo event and has sold about 1,500 units since receiving his patent a few months earlier, with the product also carried in Home Hardware and local gas stations. He valued the company at $500,000 despite having only about $5,000 in sales to date.

Michael Wekerle went out after two offers were already on the table. Michele Romanow offered $125,000 for 33 1/3%, citing her experience buying recycled boxes and ability to help with manufacturing and retail. Jim Treliving and Joe Mimran each offered $125,000 for 30%. Arlene Dickinson offered $125,000 for 40%, and Sean Price accepted her offer.

Sure Fire Cube is still operating and sells through its website.