Marshmallows are a fun way to enjoy sweets, especially while camping. They help to make delicious smores and are also used in hot cocoa which gives a nostalgic effect. However, most people avoid them as they are made of animal skin and tendons and thus are not consumed by vegetarians and vegans.
Zach and Delisa Harper, the owners of Funky Mello, have introduced a marshmallow that is based on plant-based ingredients. The company provides a mellow cream that is not only gluten and allergy-free but also very tasty to have with cocoa or ice cream.
The owners came on Shark Tank to request $50K in exchange for 15% of their company. They presented the sharks with strawberry, cookie, and vanilla-flavored mellows to trigger their taste buds. Let’s see if they got the deal or not.
Funky Mello Net Worth Shark Tank Update
Zach and Delisa were looking for an investment of $50K in exchange for 15% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $333K. They successfully secured a deal with Daymond for an investment of $50K for 15% equity in the company. The investment kept the company’s net worth at $333K. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Funky Mello in 2024 is around $2 million.
Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
Kevin O’Leary | Out | N\A | N\A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N\A | N\A |
Lori Greiner | Out | N\A | N\A |
Daniel Lubezki | Out | N\A | N\A |
John Daymond | $50K for 15% equity | $50K for 15% equity | Yes |
The Owners’ Backstory
Delisa related that she has expertise in marketing and Zach was into pharmaceutical sales. They both have some dietary-based health issues as well which was due to allergies to corn and gluten. This resulted in their experimentation with childhood nostalgic food to make them tastier and healthier.
At first, they were into rice crisps that they sell in the farmer market and then they shifted towards making cream. This resulted in the production of Funky Mellow. The cream also helped them to enter into wholesale foods including sprouts and other 20 stores as well.
Initial Pitch
The couple came on the show to seek $50K for a 15% equity stake. Their product is a marshmallow that is made up of plant-based ingredients. The flavors include vivacious vanilla, satisfying strawberry, and creamy cookie. The main ingredients in the mellows are aquafaba and chickpea liquid.
Queries about the Product
Daniel asked the first question about their First main ingredient. Zach highlighted that though they are using aquafaba and chickpea liquid their main ingredient is still sugar which is about six grams per tablespoon.
Lori inquired about the calories per tablespoon. Delisa replied that about 30 calories are present in every tablespoon.
Cuban wanted to know about the difference in calories between their product and the traditional one found in the market. The husband pointed out that the traditional marshmallows are about 60-70 calories, which is double the number of calories in their product.
Kevin questioned about the use case of their product. Zach answered that its number one use is in coffee as a creamer and also use it as a fruit dip. It also dissolves easily in the coffee forming a froth on top. Moreover, it can also be used in hot chocolate.
Cuban then inquired about their sales. The owner related that it was about $100K in sales for last year and they lost about $7K on it.
For this year they have made around $40K in sales and they are projecting to make $200K at the end of this year.
The shark also asked about their money in the bank. Zach replied that they have $50K in the bank that was collected from friends and family.
Lori was interested to know if they had invested any money in the business. They replied in the affirmative and Delisa replied that she had put $30K of her own in it.
Daymond wanted to know their company’s progress rate in stores. Delisa related that their velocity is about nine units per store weekly.
Cuban asked about their margins. Zach highlighted that it costs them $2 to make and then it sells for $4. In stores, it is sold for about $6.99.
Lori questioned their interest in other products besides marshmallow cream. The wife replied that they are not able to make marshmallows from it as it dehydrates easily but they were able to make granola and crispy treats.
Shark’s Response and Final Decision
Daymond was the first to offer them $50K for 15% equity just the offer they were asking for.
They readily accepted his offer and left the tank with a deal on their hands.
Product’s Availability
After getting a deal of their choice, Funky Mellow is also successful in the practical world. Funky Mello has just released a new nostalgic treat called Dippsterz after a successful appearance on a popular show. These snack packs offer a fun twist with a treat on one side and Funky Mello’s marshmallow creme on the other.
Available in three tasty flavors, Dippsterz includes Sweet N Salty with pretzels and vanilla dip, Caramel Apple with apple chips and caramel dip, and Tropical with plantain chips and mango dip. These treats can be found in some stores or directly from the Funky Mello website.
Conclusion
Funky Mello has made a successful entry into the sweet industry through their plant-based marshmallow creme, capturing both nostalgia and health-conscious consumers. After getting a deal with Daymond on Shark Tank, they have grown steadily, bringing their unique marshmallow creme and new Dippsterz snack packs to stores and online.
Their products offer flavorful and lower-calorie alternatives to traditional marshmallows, appealing to both vegans and allergy-conscious customers. With plans for growth and a commitment to quality, Funky Mello is establishing a strong presence in the snack market.
Hey there, it’s Andaleb Youns. I am a freelance content writer and am currently pursuing a BS in English Language and Literature. I have expertise in writing Blog Posts, social media content, and copywriting. I know how it feels to be a student and still be dependent on parents to fulfill even basic daily needs. This realization became apparent while watching Shark Tank. Although I started watching this show out of boredom, it proved to be an inspirational show. The show made me realize the importance of hard work, being independent, and of having a business of my own. I still look forward to it for entertaining and inspirational content.