Finding good skincare products that really work can be quite challenging. Many brands use harsh chemicals or artificial ingredients that can irritate your skin, which is especially problematic for those with dry or sensitive skin. Natural skincare options, like shea butter, are often recommended as a better choice. However, not all products containing shea butter are of the same quality.
Some companies take advantage of African suppliers without offering fair wages for their work. This is where 54 Thrones stands out. Founded by Christina Funke Tegbe, 54 Thrones is a luxury skincare brand that honors African beauty traditions. The brand sources natural ingredients like shea butter and argan oil directly from women in Africa, ensuring they receive fair compensation for their efforts.
Christina’s goal is to promote a philosophy of “Trade, Not Aid,” meaning she believes in fair trade practices rather than treating African communities as recipients of charity.
In Season 13 of Shark Tank, Christina sought $250,000 for a 10% ownership stake in her business. The sharks were impressed with her passion and her socially responsible business model. After some discussion, Kevin O’Leary and guest shark Nirav Tolia agreed to invest $250,000 for a 17.5% stake in the company. This partnership not only helps Christina grow her brand but also supports the hardworking women in Africa who produce the ingredients.
54 Thrones Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Christina was looking for an investment of $250k in exchange for 10% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, she valued her company at $2.5 million. Christina successfully secured a deal with Kevin and Nirav for an investment of $250k for 17.5% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $1.43 million. After the show was aired, the company saw a big increase in website traffic, sales, and social media exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of 54 Thrones in 2025 is around $5.2 million.
2# $250,000 for 10% equity3# $250,000 for 17% equity
Yes
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
Partnership with Nirav
N/A
N/A
Robert Herjavec
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Christina Funke Tegbe Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Christina Funke Tegbe is an entrepreneur with an impressive background, holding two master’s degrees and having had a successful career before founding her company, 54 Thrones. Unlike many entrepreneurs, she has a personal connection to Africa, which inspired her to leave her job and travel across the continent.
During her travels, she met skilled women making shea butter and argan oil using traditional methods. Despite their talents, these artisans were not earning much for their hard work, and Christina wanted to help change that.
She started 54 Thrones, a business named after the 54 countries in Africa, with the goal of bringing these high-quality natural ingredients to a global market while supporting the African women who produce them.
The company sells luxury body butters, scrubs, and oils. For example, a tin of body butter sells for $80, but the cost to produce it is only $12, allowing for high profits. Most sales are made directly to consumers, but the company is also looking to partner with well-known retailers like Sephora and Nordstrom. In 2020, the business made $500,000 and is projected to reach $1 million in revenue in 2021.
Christina is known for her strong business pitch, which includes offering samples of sharks to try. The products are described as feeling luxurious and smelling wonderful, but the success of her pitch ultimately depends on whether the investors are convinced by her financial figures and business strategy.
Robert Herjavec: He didn’t know much about skincare products and felt the market was saturated. Because he wasn’t excited about the beauty industry, he decided not to invest.
Mark Cuban: He was unfamiliar with the product (body butter) and felt he couldn’t contribute anything meaningful to help Christina’s brand. Thus, he opted out of the investment.
Lori Greiner: Although she thought Christina’s product was great, she already had investments in a similar company, which could lead to competition. Because of this concern, she also chose not to invest.
Kevin O’Leary: He acknowledged the financial potential of Christina’s business but questioned whether he would be the right partner for her. Ultimately, he decided not to invest.
Nirav Toli: He was interested in the product because of a personal connection (his wife works in beauty). He liked Christina’s vision and offered $125,000 contingent on another shark joining the deal.
Initially, Kevin and Nirav proposed to invest $250,000 for a 20% ownership stake in Christina’s business. Christina countered by asking for a 15% stake instead. They ultimately agreed on 17.5% equity for the $250,000 investment.
In the end, Christina secured investments from two sharks to support her skincare brand.
Product Availability
54 Thrones is a brand that specializes in luxurious skincare products. You can purchase their products directly from their Official Website. They are also available in popular stores like Sephora, Nordstrom, and Credo Beauty. Their products range in price from about $25 for smaller items to around $80 for premium sets. This allows you to choose based on your budget and needs.
What Happened To The 54 Thrones After Shark Tank?
Since appearing on Shark Tank, a brand called 54 Thrones has been doing well. They are making about $1.3 million each year. You can now find their products in popular stores like Sephora, Nordstrom, and Credo Beauty. The brand has been mentioned in well-known magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, and Oprah’s Favorite Things. They have a growing presence on Instagram, with more than 50,000 followers.
The founder, Christina, is dedicated to promoting fair trade practices and celebrating African beauty traditions through her products.
Conclusion
Christina Funke Tegbe appeared on Shark Tank and had a successful experience. She managed to strike a deal with Kevin O’Leary and Nirav Tolia, which allowed her to grow her brand, 54 Thrones, and get her products into larger retail stores.
Even though the brand has been growing, it still caters to a specific market and is considered more of a luxury brand rather than a widely known or mainstream one.
The brand prides itself on strong values and high-quality natural skincare products, suggesting that it’s committed to staying in the market for the long haul. If you’re someone who enjoys trying natural skincare items, 54 Thrones is definitely a brand to consider.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.
