Wanna Date Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025 

So many people are looking for sweet spreads that won’t ruin their health goals. We live in a time where sugar is everywhere. Most store-bought spreads are full of added sugars, oils, and ingredients we can’t even pronounce. It can be hard for health-conscious people or those on special diets like vegan or paleo to find something they can actually enjoy.

People want spreads that taste good but won’t make them feel guilty after eating. But the options on store shelves often fail them. This is especially true for people who crave natural sweetness and don’t want to compromise. The problem is simple: we don’t have enough healthy, sweet spreads that actually taste delicious.

Melissa Bartow understood this issue because she faced it herself. She loved dates and ate them every day. She wondered why there weren’t spreads made from dates since they are naturally sweet and full of nutrients. That’s why she created Wanna Date, a line of flavored date spreads. Melissa brought her idea to Shark Tank Season 11, hoping to get support from the Sharks.

She wanted to make date spreads as common as peanut butter or almond butter but without the unhealthy ingredients. 

During her pitch, Melissa asked for $100,000 for 20% equity in her company. The episode became exciting when Melissa’s passion caught the Sharks’ attention. But would the Sharks believe in her mission? Would they see Wanna Date as the next big thing in healthy spreads? This episode showed both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and how dedication can sometimes win over even the toughest critics.

Wanna Date Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025 

Melissa was looking for an investment of $100k in exchange for 20% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, she valued her company at $500k. Melissa successfully secured a deal with Mark Cuban for an investment of $100k for 33% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $303k. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of Wanna Date is around $5 million.

Shark(s) name	Offer & Demand	Counteroffer	Accepted?
Lori Greiner	Out	N/A	N/A
Kevin O’Leary	Out	N/A	N/A
Daymond John	Out	N/A	N/A
Mark Cuban	$100,000 for 33% equity	N/A	Yes
Barbara Corcoran	Out	N/A	N/A

Melissa Bartow Backstory + Their Initial Pitch

Melissa Bartow was a college graduate who had always loved dates. After moving to New York City, she found herself eating dates almost every day. She loved the natural sweetness they offered. One day, while spreading peanut butter on toast, she thought about how amazing it would be to have spreads made entirely from dates. She knew that dates were vegan, paleo-friendly, and had no added sugar.

But there was nothing like that on the market. Melissa’s love for dates inspired her to create Wanna Date, a line of sweet, flavored spreads made from dates.

At the start, Melissa faced many challenges. She had to figure out how to turn whole dates into a smooth spread. She experimented with recipes in her kitchen, trying to get the perfect texture and taste. She also needed to find a commercial kitchen willing to produce small batches for her early sales. Then came the challenge of packaging and labeling the spreads. She had to design jars and labels that looked professional but didn’t cost too much money.

Melissa decided to sell her spreads at local fairs, and markets, and through small wholesale orders. She set up booths, handed out samples, and talked to anyone who would listen. She learned how to pitch her product, handle customer feedback, and adjust her recipe when needed.

When Melissa stepped onto the Shark Tank stage, she started her pitch by saying she “loved dates.” For a moment, it sounded like she was talking about romantic dates, which made the Sharks laugh. Then she explained she meant the fruit. She told them about her passion for dates and why she believed date spreads were the perfect healthy alternative to sugary nut butter.

Melissa presented her line of spreads, which included flavors like chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice.

She shared her sales numbers honestly, saying she made $31,000 in ten months mostly through markets and small wholesale orders. She told the Sharks she needed $100,000 to ramp up production, grow her marketing efforts, and reach bigger retailers. She offered them 20% of her company in exchange. Melissa believed that with the Sharks’ help, Wanna Date could reach health-conscious shoppers everywhere.

Queries + Sharks’ Responses, and Final Deal

After Melissa’s pitch, the Sharks had many thoughts. Daymond John spoke first. He said Melissa herself was the heart of the product. He worried that if she wasn’t there to sell the spreads in person, customers might not find anything special about them. He believed her energy was key to making sales. Because of this, Daymond said he couldn’t invest in the business and dropped out.

Next was Lori Greiner. She told Melissa she admired her passion but thought the company was too young. Lori said the sales numbers were too low for her to feel comfortable investing. She wanted to see more proof that people would buy the spreads regularly. Lori didn’t think the company was established enough for her, so she decided to step away.

Barbara Corcoran shared a different concern. During the pitch, Melissa revealed that her father was paying her rent so she could focus on Wanna Date full-time after graduating college. Barbara said she worried Melissa didn’t have the hunger needed to make a business succeed. She felt Melissa’s situation made her less desperate for success, which meant she might not fight hard enough when things got tough.

Barbara told Melissa she liked her but couldn’t invest because she didn’t see the kind of drive she wanted in an entrepreneur.

Melissa pushed back right away. She told the Sharks she was dedicated to Wanna Date and wouldn’t give up. She said she knew success wouldn’t come easy and was ready to work as hard as needed. Her confidence and determination impressed some of the Sharks.

Kevin O’Leary was next. He said he liked the taste of the spreads but had a problem with the valuation. He thought the company was too new to be worth what Melissa was asking. Kevin explained that early-stage companies needed to prove their value through steady sales and a clear plan. He decided the risk was too high for him and bowed out of the deal.

Finally, it was Mark Cuban’s turn. Mark asked why Melissa didn’t have a plain date-flavored spread. He said he knew many people who loved dates and would prefer a simple, natural date flavor without any added spices or chocolate. Melissa agreed and said she wanted to make one but hadn’t launched it yet. 

Mark liked her honesty and her willingness to listen to advice. He made an offer of $100,000 for 33% equity in Wanna Date. Melissa thought for a moment, considering if she should counter. But she realized Mark’s expertise and connections could help her brand grow faster. She accepted the deal and left the Tank with a new partner.

Product Availability

Wanna Date is all about making healthy spreads with simple ingredients. The spreads come in fun, sweet flavors like chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and even new cookie dough. They are made mostly from dates, which makes them naturally sweet. The spreads are vegan, paleo-friendly, gluten-free, and oil-free, and have no added sugar.

They’re perfect for health-conscious eaters who want a treat without feeling guilty. Each spread has a smooth, creamy texture, making it easy to spread on toast, pancakes, waffles, or even blend into smoothies.

After Shark Tank, Melissa worked hard to grow her company. Wanna Date products are now sold on the Wanna Date website, where customers can buy jars of all the flavors. The spreads are also available on Amazon, which makes it easy for people anywhere in the country to order them online. But Melissa didn’t stop there. She got her products into major retailers like Whole Foods, Kroger, Walmart, and several regional grocery chains.

This was a huge step forward because it meant Wanna Date could reach customers who prefer shopping in stores. The spreads usually cost between $9 and $13 per jar, depending on the flavor and where you buy them. This price is competitive with premium nut butter and other specialty spreads. The company also offers bundle packs and special promotions on its website, giving shoppers a chance to save when they buy more.

What Happened To Wanna Date After Shark Tank?

After Shark Tank, Wanna Date took off. The episode gave Melissa and her company a big burst of publicity. Thousands of viewers searched for Wanna Date online, and orders flooded the website. This initial boost helped Melissa get enough money to ramp up production, hire help, and grow her distribution network. Over time, she secured deals with bigger retailers and increased her online presence.

The company now has more than $5 million in total sales, proving that there is a real demand for healthier sweet spreads.

Melissa also launched new products after Shark Tank. She introduced Wanna Date donuts made with date sugar, giving health-conscious customers more ways to enjoy their favorite fruit. She expanded her flavor lineup and continues to experiment with seasonal releases. Along with running Wanna Date, Melissa stays active as a Pilates studio manager and yoga instructor in New York City.

This keeps her connected with the health and wellness community, which helps her promote her brand to like-minded customers.

As of 2024, Wanna Date is still going strong. The spreads are stocked at major retailers, sold on Amazon, and available on the company website. Reviews for Wanna Date products are mostly positive. Customers love the natural sweetness and clean ingredients.

Melissa remains the face of the brand and shares updates on social media, where she talks about recipes, health tips, and her entrepreneurial journey. She has proven that passion, determination, and a good idea can turn a small business into a success.

Conclusion

Melissa Bartow walked onto the Shark Tank stage with a dream to change the way people think about spreads. She offered the Sharks a taste of her date-based spreads and shared her vision for a healthier, sweeter world. Her pitch was tough, with several Sharks dropping out because of concerns about her early sales, business maturity, and personal motivation.

But Melissa’s belief in Wanna Date and her dedication convinced Mark Cuban to take a chance on her. They agreed on a deal of $100,000 for 33% equity in the company.

Since then, Wanna Date has grown into a thriving brand. It now has more than $5 million in sales, products in major retailers, and a loyal customer base. Melissa’s story is a powerful reminder that even when the odds seem stacked against you, hard work and passion can turn your idea into something amazing. Wanna Date went from a small dream to a nationally recognized name, proving that sometimes, a sweet idea really can change the world.