Celebrations are meant to be memorable, but often, traditional cakes and gifts can feel repetitive. Many people struggle to find unique ways to make birthdays and special occasions stand out. The usual routine of presenting a cake followed by handing over a gift lacks the element of surprise that can make an event truly unforgettable.
Recognizing this common dilemma, mother and son duo, Liz Charm and Jordan Long, introduced an innovative solution: the Surprise Cake Popping Cake Stand. This product ingeniously hides a gift inside the cake, creating a delightful surprise when the cake is cut. Their invention aimed to add excitement and a personal touch to celebrations, making them more engaging and memorable.
In Season 12, Episode 4 of Shark Tank, Liz and Jordan presented their unique product to the Sharks, seeking $200,000 for an 8% equity stake in their company. Their pitch showcased the fun and novelty of the popping cake stand, capturing the attention of the Sharks and the audience alike.
Surprise Cake Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Liz and Jordan were looking for an investment of $200k in exchange for 8% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $2.5 million. Liz and Jordan did not get a deal from any of the Sharks. After the show was aired, Surprise Cake experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Surprise Cake is around $3.5 million.
Shark(s) name
Offer & Demand
Counteroffer
Accepted?
Daymond John
Out
N/A
N/A
Lori Greiner
Out
N/A
N/A
Kevin O’Leary
Out
N/A
N/A
Barbara Corcoran
Out
N/A
N/A
Mark Cuban
Out
N/A
N/A
Liz Charm and Jordan Long Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
The inspiration for the Surprise Cake Popping Cake Stand came from a personal experience. Liz Charm wanted to surprise her daughter on her 12th birthday by hiding a new cell phone inside her birthday cake. To achieve this, she placed the phone in a plastic bag and embedded it within the cake layers. The surprise was a hit, but Liz realized that inserting objects directly into cakes posed food safety concerns.
To address this issue, Liz collaborated with her son, Jordan Long, an engineer, to develop a safe and sanitary method for hiding gifts inside cakes. Together, they designed a cake stand equipped with a spring-loaded mechanism that could conceal a gift and release it in a fun, jack-in-the-box style when triggered. This innovation allowed for a delightful surprise without compromising food safety.
During their Shark Tank pitch, Liz and Jordan demonstrated the popping cake stand’s functionality, emphasizing its potential to enhance celebrations. They highlighted the product’s features, including its reusability, ease of use, and the joy it brings to various occasions.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
The Sharks were intrigued by the novelty of the popping cake stand but had several concerns regarding the business model and scalability.
Barbara Corcoran questioned the company’s sales figures and profitability. Liz and Jordan shared that they had achieved $280,000 in sales in 2019 and projected $900,000 for 2020, with a net profit of $50,000. Despite the impressive revenue, Barbara was concerned about the low profit margins and decided not to invest.
Lori Greiner appreciated the creativity of the product and saw potential for it to become a family tradition. However, she was apprehensive about the high valuation and the founders’ plan to expand into pre-made cakes and gift packages. Lori felt that the business lacked focus and opted out.
Kevin O’Leary expressed skepticism about the logistics of selling perishable items like cakes. He referenced his experience with similar ventures and advised against entering the cake delivery business due to potential complications. Kevin also questioned the company’s profitability and chose not to invest.
Daymond John did not see a fit between the product and his investment portfolio. He was concerned about the niche market and scalability, leading him to decline the offer.
Mark Cuban was critical of the founders’ strategy to expand based on customer feedback. He believed that relying too heavily on customer suggestions could lead to a lack of clear direction. Mark was also wary of the challenges associated with selling perishable goods and decided not to invest.
Ultimately, none of the Sharks made an offer, and Liz and Jordan left the tank without a deal.
What Went Wrong With Surprise Cake On Shark Tank?
Several factors contributed to the Sharks’ decision not to invest in Surprise Cake. Despite strong sales projections, the company’s profit margins were relatively low. The Sharks were hesitant to invest in a business that had not yet demonstrated substantial profitability.
The founders’ plan to expand into pre-made cakes and gift packages raised concerns about the company’s direction. The Sharks felt that the business lacked a clear focus and risked overextending itself. Selling perishable items like cakes involves complex logistics, including shipping, storage, and shelf life considerations.
The Sharks were wary of these challenges and the potential impact on the business’s scalability. The $2.5 million valuation was considered high given the company’s current financials and the risks associated with the proposed expansion.
Product Availability
Despite not securing a deal on Shark Tank, Surprise Cake has continued to thrive. The company offers a range of products designed to enhance celebrations.
These products are available for purchase on the company’s official website and on Amazon. The musical cake stand, in particular, has received positive reviews, boasting a 4.4 out of 5 rating from nearly a thousand customers.
What Happened To The Surprise Cake After Shark Tank?
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Liz and Jordan leveraged the exposure to grow their business. They focused on refining their product line and enhancing the customer experience.
The company’s strategic decisions included, Introducing new products like the musical cake stand and cupcake stand to cater to a broader audience. Allowing customers to personalize their cakes with messages, photos, and gifts, thereby increasing the product’s appeal for various occasions. Streamlining the delivery process to ensure timely and safe delivery of pre-made cakes and gifts.
As of today, Surprise Cake has achieved an estimated net worth of $3.5 million, with annual revenues ranging between $1 million and $2 million. The company has also built a strong online presence, with over 120,000 followers on Instagram, where customers share videos of their surprise cake experiences.
Conclusion
Surprise Cake’s journey on Shark Tank may not have resulted in a deal, but the exposure provided a valuable platform for growth. Liz and Jordan’s innovative approach to celebrations resonated with customers, leading to the development of a successful business. By focusing on their core product and listening to customer feedback, they expanded their offerings and improved the overall customer experience.
Their story serves as a testament to the importance of perseverance and adaptability in entrepreneurship. Despite initial setbacks, Surprise Cake has carved out a unique niche in the celebration industry, bringing joy and surprise to countless events.
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.
