Entrepreneur and Navy veteran Thereasa Black landed a deal on “Shark Tank.”
Bon AppéSweet
The Leonardtown, MD, native is the founder of Bon AppéSweet, a dessert company inspired by her daughter, Isabella.
According to the company’s website, she was deployed by the military and was away from her daughter for over a year.
The BayNet reported that Black was a Navy officer and in law school at the time of her deployment. On her company’s website, Black described the time as devastating and brainstormed ways to ensure she never had to leave her daughter again.
When she returned, she noticed Isabella had a sweet tooth, but instead of taking desserts away, Black decided to offer healthier alternatives. This created the foundation of Bon AppéSweet, which sells sweet treats such as chocolate bars that are 100% plant-based and dairy-free, made with date-based sweeteners, no processed sugars, and zero sugar alcohols, notes the website.
“Shark Tank”
Black pitched the company on Season 17 of “Shark Tank” in a taping that aired on Tuesday, Jan. 13. She was seeking an investment of $75,000 in exchange for 10% of her company.
“There’s a little chocoholic living inside of us all. I know it and you know it, but the unthinkable has happened. Chocolate lovers are cutting back because it’s just not healthy. Even the better-for-you chocolates aren’t as healthy as we all thought. They are loaded with added sugar or even worse sugar alcohols and have a host of questionable additives. People are begging for a healthier way. Well have no fear. Bon AppéSweet is here,” she said while pitching to the judges.
Securing Deals
Two deals from “Shark Tank” investors Robert Herjavec and Rashaun Williams were reached, resulting in a combined $175,000 investment with each receiving a 10% stake in the company, according to ABC 27.
“When I got pregnant with Isabella, I was a single mom. People told me to drop out of law school. They told me that I couldn’t achieve anything,” Black said, per The BayNet. “And the fact that I came here today, and the Sharks were all impressed with what I’ve done so far, that shows her that she can do anything that she wants. You don’t let anybody else create your limitations. The sky is always gonna be the limit.”
Separately, “Shark Tank” investor Williams reflected on the moment in an Instagram post.
“One of the best things about being on @sharktankabc is seeing the reactions of founders after you help them make their dreams come true,” he expressed. “In the venture world we rarely see tears and hug entrepreneurs after committing to invest. This show really has brought the personal side of investing in the forefront for me! @eatbonappesweet. Virtual hugs to everyone raising money and pursuing their dreams.”
Black joins a growing list of Black entrepreneurs who have landed deals from the show. This includes Ehime Eigbe (Sweetkiwi frozen greek yogurt) and Trey Brown (Spergo streetwear apparel), as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
