Edible flowers have taken culinary innovation to a new level, and no company embodies this trend quite like Eat Your Flowers. Gaining national attention on the popular show “Shark Tank,” where entrepreneurs pitch their businesses to investors, Eat Your Flowers presented a unique proposition: delicious baked goods adorned with vibrant, edible flowers. Founded by Loria Stern, the company has since transformed the concept of what can be served on a dinner plate.
The “Shark Tank” appearance was a pivotal moment for Eat Your Flowers. The business attracted the interest of the “sharks” with its flower-pressed shortbread cookies, creating a buzz that extended beyond the show. By incorporating seasonal flowers into their products, they have created a unique niche in the marketplace. The pitch, which sought investment to scale operations, struck a chord with viewers and potential customers alike, leading to substantial business growth and market presence.
Key Takeaways
- Eat Your Flowers innovated the baking industry with edible flower-adorned baked goods.
- The company’s appearance on “Shark Tank” significantly boosted its profile and success.
- Post “Shark Tank,” the business has seen growth, underlining a strong market presence and customer engagement.
Origins and Inspiration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xMs3epjI3A&embed=true
Loria Stern’s journey with Eat Your Flowers intertwines a passion for botanicals with culinary innovation. Her unique concept marries the beauty of flowers with the delight of eating, creating a range of visually stunning and edible treats.
Behind the Brand
Loria Stern’s Eat Your Flowers brand emerged from her combined love for the vibrancy of flowers and the culinary arts. Stern, having attended culinary school, fused her culinary expertise with an artistic flair to bring edible flowers into the limelight. Noticing a gap in the market, she embarked on creating an Instagram sensation with her flower-pressed cookies—each one as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Edible Artistry
Renowned for her edible flowers, Stern has mastered the art of creating delectable baked goods like cookies and cakes that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also cater to health-conscious audiences by being gluten-free. The eye-catching designs have even graced the pages of Vogue, showcasing the intersection of food and art. Through her work, Eat Your Flowers champions the farm-to-table sensibility, sourcing many of the flowers from Stern’s own home garden, thus ensuring the utmost freshness and quality.
Shark Tank Pitch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la9EATfbfWs&embed=true
Loria Stern captivated the Sharks with her unique business, Eat Your Flowers, during her appearance on Shark Tank. Her pitch detailed how the company utilizes edible flowers to create stunning and delicious baked goods.
The Sharks’ Verdict
The Sharks were impressed with the aesthetics and originality of Stern’s product. She demonstrated how Eat Your Flowers combines the beauty of flower design with the deliciousness of cookies and cakes. Barbara Corcoran showed particular interest in the concept, appreciating the visual appeal and the taste of the products that Stern presented on the show.
Investment and Equity
During the season 14 episode, Stern sought an investment to help grow her business and bring her edible flower creations to a wider market. Stern entered the Tank asking for $250,000 for a 12% stake in her company, which put the initial valuation at approximately $2,083,333. After negotiation, Barbara Corcoran agreed to invest the $250,000; however, for a larger share of the business, bringing the equity to 15%, and the final valuation to $1,666,666.
The deal signified a milestone, and Stern’s partnership with an investor with Corcoran’s experience promised to strategically position Eat Your Flowers for potential further success and profitability.
Business Growth and Market Presence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IvEQ3qUm0o&embed=true
Since its debut on Shark Tank, Eat Your Flowers has seen a marked increase in its market presence, leveraging a multitude of sales and marketing avenues to enhance its visibility. The company’s clever utilization of social media platforms has especially bolstered its brand recognition.
Marketing and Sales Channels
Eat Your Flowers recognizes the power of an online presence. The company’s website serves as a central hub for its sales, supported by the convenience of an online store. As the internet becomes the backbone of modern commerce, channels like Amazon and Facebook have become invaluable. Their social media strategy is not just about promotion; it is about creating an engaging community around the love for baked goods and edible flowers.
The company’s marketing efforts extend beyond digital boundaries. By participating in bakery and catering expos, they keep the conversation going offline as well. Their use of organic flour, vegan options, and gluten-free items speaks directly to current consumer trends, and by advertising these features, they tap into a growing demographic passionate about health and sustainability.
Expanding Product Lines
Eat Your Flowers didn’t stop at simply providing edible flowers; they expanded their product lines to include a variety of baking ingredients such as organic sugar, organic eggs, and organic chocolate. This expansion aligns perfectly with their core business, allowing customers to purchase high-quality ingredients for their own baking projects. Each addition to their product line represents a thoughtful step toward being a one-stop-shop for healthy and unique baking supplies.
Engagement and Customer Experience
The unique allure of Eat Your Flowers extends beyond their products, enveloping customers in an experience that’s as visually captivating as it is gastronomically delightful. Engagement with the brand often blossoms into a shared celebration of edible beauty.
Community and Feedback
Eat Your Flowers has cultivated a strong community presence, particularly on Instagram, where customers frequently post vibrant images of their flower-pressed treats. This social media engagement allows for an ongoing conversation between the brand and its patrons. Customers are encouraged to share their experiences, which range from decorating cakes with flower cookies to accentuating cocktail cubes with edible flowers, creating a feedback loop that the company leverages to refine their products and services.
- Instagram Highlights:
- User-generated content featuring flower-pressed treats
- Positive customer testimonials
- Vibrant color palettes attracting social media users
By acting on customer opinions and reviews, the company ensures that taste and decoration remain at the forefront of its offerings, allowing for a tailored customer experience that seems to consistently hit the mark.
Why Customers Love Flower-Pressed Treats
The allure of the flower cookies lies not just in their aesthetic appeal but also in their unique taste profiles. Customers express a fondness for how these edible flowers transform ordinary baked goods like cakes, cookies, pies, and tarts into exquisite, garden-themed confections. The natural colors contribute to a customizable color palette ideal for various occasions, leading to high praise in customer reviews for both the innovative use of edible flowers and the attention to detail in decorating.
- Customer Favorites:
- Edible flowers for added taste and decoration
- Decorative flower-pressed cookies for pies and tarts
- Customizable color palettes suited for special events
The use of flower-pressed treatments not only enhances the visual appeal but also brings a surprising burst of flavor, garnering accolades from food enthusiasts eager to share their experiences with the brand’s creations.
