Where Is eCreamery From Shark Tank Today?
Becky App and Abby Jordan met in 2001 and became fast friends, according to the University of Nebraska Lincoln. In 2006, Mark Hasebroock purchased an existing website where customers could create custom ice creams. App and Jordan were inspired by the idea, and Hasebroock would become their investor. In 2007, eCreamery was born out of a shared love of food, and a passion for the gift-giving business.
The customizable ice cream pints make gift-giving easy. Customers can select pre-set collections on the eCreamery website or create their preferred flavor packs. Once flavors have been chosen, the website's product designing program allows for a variety of sayings and decorations to be added to each container. Customers can also type messages in.
Though much of the company's business was conducted online, with App and Jordan shipping out pints of ice cream in reusable coolers, eCreamery also had a physical storefront where local customers could come taste-test and enjoy the ice cream creations (via ABC/"Shark Tank"). App and Jordan needed help with expanding their business and decided to approach the investors of "Shark Tank" with their request. The duo sought to bring exposure to their products through appearing on the show, but they also hoped to improve the business shipping logistics. They wanted to purchase a separate facility specifically for shipping products outside of the existing scoop shop.
The company needed more production space
In Season 4, Episode 2 of "Shark Tank," eCreamery co-founders Becky App and Abby Jordan tried to convince the Sharks to invest in their ice cream shop. They brought samples of the ice cream to taste-test, with personalized flavors for each one (via YouTube). Barbara Corcoran was impressed and stated it was "the best ice cream I've ever had." App and Jordan sought a $250,000 investment in exchange for 33% of the company (per the Silicon Prairie News).
App and Jordan revealed that they already had an investor who owned a whopping 70% of the company. However, the investor wanted the Sharks involved and had offered 33% of his share. Daymond John was apprehensive about the other investor and decided to go out. Robert Herjavec said that while he loved the company, he thought it had too many moving parts, so he was out, too. Despite loving the ice cream, Corcoran advised shutting down the retail location in favor of focusing on online sales, and she decided to go out. Mark Cuban agreed the company had great ideas and saw success for its future, but he knew the company could be imitated in the future, and it would be difficult to guarantee he would get his money's worth.
Kevin O'Leary was intrigued, but he wasn't sure about the money. He offered $125,000 — half of the asking amount — in exchange for 25%. App and Jordan pushed for the full $250,000 investment, but O'Leary backed out.
eCreamery saw success without a Shark Tank investment
Despite its co-founders walking away without a "Shark Tank" investment, the eCreamery website states that the business continued to flourish. The appearance on the show provided some advertising for the business; "Shark Tank" viewers crashed the company's website with an influx of visits and orders. Those same viewers reportedly became repeat customers, and the eCreamery owners made the $250,000 in sales alone in just two months after the appearance on the show.
According to eCreamery's website, its products have also been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine; The New York Times; Today; Reader's Digest; and USA Today. The company has even introduced cookies to its menu, alongside its ice creams, fruity sorbets, and gelatos. And eCreamery has a food truck for local catering events.
The company continues to ship its products nationwide, and it still operates its Omaha, Nebraska scoop shop, too.