Eat Your Flowers, an innovative business venture started by Loria Stern, made its way to Season 14 of the widely popular television show Shark Tank. The unique baking company has captured audiences’ attention by creating flower design cookies, cakes, and other baked goods that not only look beautiful but are also made with edible flowers. Stern’s vision goes beyond just the aesthetic, aiming to raise awareness about the underrated world of edible flowers in the United States.
In Episode 15 of Shark Tank, Loria Stern pitched her company to the show’s panel of investors or “sharks,” hoping to secure a deal that would help expand the brand. With the focus on making cookies and cakes for different occasions and seasons, Eat Your Flowers has tapped into a niche market that makes nature its color palette, incorporating a wide variety of flowers in vibrant shades to produce visually stunning and flavorful baked treats.
Since its appearance on Shark Tank, Eat Your Flowers has impacted the world of baking and edible flowers significantly. Further updates will delve deeper into the company’s growth, highlighting the online store’s expansion into supplying baked goods with pressed flowers and so much more. Stay tuned to learn more about the innovative brand, Loria Stern’s journey, and to follow the success story of Eat Your Flowers after their time on Shark Tank.
About Eat Your Flowers
Founding and Origin
Eat Your Flowers is a baking company that was founded in Los Angeles, CA by Loria Stern, a talented pastry chef with a passion for Culinary Arts and Medicinal and Edible Plants. Loria was inspired to create unique and beautiful baked goods using edible flowers that she foraged and grew herself. With an online presence on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, Eat Your Flowers has become a widely recognized and popular brand known for its stunning and flavorsome creations.
Product Range
The brand offers a variety of baked goods, including:
- Cookies: Flower-pressed shortbread cookies and gluten-free options
- Cakes: Beautifully decorated with edible flowers and available in vegan variations
- Pies and Tarts: Featuring foraged flora and adaptogenic mushrooms
In addition to their baked goods, Eat Your Flowers also offers a botanical press kit containing dried flowers for those who wish to add an artistic touch to their own creations. The brand primarily operates as a Direct-to-Consumer online bakery through its website, and also provides catering services for events.
Aesthetic and Brand Values
Eat Your Flowers is committed to using the highest quality ingredients, such as organic flour, and promoting inclusivity by offering vegan and gluten-free options for customers with dietary restrictions. Furthermore, they focus on sourcing their ingredients from local farmers and suppliers.
The brand’s aesthetic highlights the beauty of edible flowers and their signature flower-pressed cookies have been featured in Vogue Magazine. Their Instagram and Facebook profiles showcase the artistry and elegance of their creations, which has garnered them a loyal customer base. The friendly and approachable tone of the brand has made it a favorite among consumers who appreciate both the taste and the visual appeal of their products.
Shark Tank Episode
Investment Pitch
In Shark Tank Season 14, Loria Stern pitched her company, Eat Your Flowers, to the Sharks. Eat Your Flowers is a unique bakery that creates flower-themed pastries, desserts, and other baked goods using edible flowers. Loria Stern sought an investment of $250,000 for a 12% equity stake in her business. Throughout her presentation, Loria was able to showcase her passion for flower-infused food and her innovative approach to the culinary world.
The Sharks, including Barbara Corcoran, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Mark Cuban, listened intently as Loria pitched her business. With a clear interest in her floral dessert company, Barbara Corcoran decided to make an offer of $250K for 15% Equity. Loria immediately accepted Barbara’s offer, securing a deal with the Shark and a valuable partnership to help her company grow.
Post-Episode Impact
Following the Shark Tank episode, Eat Your Flowers experienced a surge in sales and exposure as more people became aware of the unique concept behind the company. The partnership with Barbara Corcoran allowed Loria to implement marketing strategies and expand her business, ultimately increasing the company’s net worth and overall success.
Eat Your Flowers continued to garner attention and compete alongside other innovative businesses from Season 14, such as Big Mouth Toothbrush, Youthforia, and Surf Band Pro. The strategic approach and mentorship provided by the Sharks have proven invaluable for the entrepreneurs behind these companies, helping them navigate the challenges and opportunities within their respective industries.
Ingredients and Recipes
Main Ingredients
Eat Your Flowers, a company that appeared on Shark Tank, specializes in creating unique baked goods with a focus on incorporating edible flowers and botanicals. Some of the main ingredients used in their products are organic flour, cane sugar, butter, eggs, salt, and vanilla chocolate. The company sources their ingredients locally and even harvests some of the edible flowers, like violas, calendulas, bachelor buttons, and nasturtiums, from their own garden.
Flavors and Varieties
The variety of cookies, cakes, and pies created by Eat Your Flowers is truly impressive. One of their signature products is the flower-pressed shortbread cookie, which incorporates edible flowers for a beautiful and unique design. A few of their popular flavor combinations include raspberry rose, key lime with passion flower, and chamomile with lavender.
In addition to these standout flavors, the company also offers a selection of classic options, like chocolate chip and vanilla cookies, with the added twist of incorporating herbs and botanicals.
Special Diets
Eat Your Flowers aims to cater to a wide range of dietary preferences. For individuals who follow a vegan diet, the company offers a selection of vegan baked goods which eliminates the use of butter, eggs, and other animal-derived ingredients. Gluten-free options are also available for those with dietary restrictions or sensitivities. By using natural ingredients and catering to various special diets, Eat Your Flowers ensures their delicious and unique treats can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.
Other Ventures and Collaborations
Floral-Inspired Merchandise
Eat Your Flowers, after appearing on Shark Tank, has expanded beyond just baked goods. They have embraced their floral theme and started offering a variety of floral-inspired merchandise. Their website and social media platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, frequently showcase new products and updates. For example, they have introduced flower-infused candles that are both visually appealing and aromatic. Additionally, customers can find unique cocktail cubes made with edible flowers on their website, which adds a creative twist to the drinking experience. Some of these products can also be found on Amazon, making them easily accessible for customers all around.
Collaborations and Partnerships
As Eat Your Flowers continues to grow, they have entered into collaborations and partnerships with other brands and organizations. One notable partnership is with Pro Youthforia, a Southern California-based organization that supports the wellbeing and happiness of young people through various programs and activities. This collaboration highlights the importance of combining the beauty of nature with healthy living, which is a foundational concept for Eat Your Flowers. By working together with like-minded organizations, they are able to amplify their message and reach a broader audience. This also creates opportunities for future ventures and partnerships, further expanding the reach and impact of Eat Your Flowers.
Competition and Market Position
Eat Your Flowers has made a name for itself in the edible flowers market, but this unique company isn’t without competition. Other businesses, such as The Edible Flower Shop and The Flower Deli, also offer similar products, including flower-based cakes, cookies, and confectionery items. However, Eat Your Flowers has managed to stand out due to its eye-catching designs and innovative approach to incorporating flowers into various baked goods.
The company’s sales have shown steady growth, with earnings of $430k in 2020 and quickly rising to $750k in 2021. This impressive progression indicates a solid market position for Eat Your Flowers and demonstrates a growing consumer interest in their artistic and delicious offerings.
One critical aspect of Eat Your Flowers’ market strategy is their direct-to-consumer approach. The company focuses on their online presence and offers a user-friendly website that both showcases their beautiful creations and provides a seamless shopping experience. This digital-driven platform allows Eat Your Flowers to reach a wider audience while providing a convenient option for customers.
In their marketing efforts, Eat Your Flowers uses social media platforms to promote their stunning products, often sharing images of their beautifully crafted creations, which can catch the eyes of potential customers scrolling through their feeds. This visual approach has proven successful, with their social media presence rapidly growing, resulting in larger visibility and attracting more consumers interested in edible flower-based baked goods.
In conclusion, despite facing competition from other businesses in the edible flowers market, Eat Your Flowers has managed to establish a strong position through continuous sales growth, a direct-to-consumer approach, and effective marketing strategies utilizing social media channels.
Final Thoughts
Eat Your Flowers, founded by Loria Stern, has experienced notable growth since its appearance on Shark Tank. Loria’s passion for edible flowers and their unique application in her baked goods has caught the attention of many, ultimately leading her to a successful deal on the show.
After securing an investment from Barbara Corcoran, the company saw a remarkable increase in sales from $430k in 2020 to $750k in 2021. This growth can be attributed to the brand’s innovation, appealing to a wide range of customers, from those seeking a taste of nature to those looking for aesthetically pleasing treats for special occasions.
The company’s products, priced at $50 per unit, showcase Loria Stern’s attention to detail and commitment to high-quality ingredients. The success of Eat Your Flowers serves as a testament to the potential of edible flowers in the United States market, with Loria paving the way as an advocate for this underrepresented food category.
As a result of the Shark Tank exposure and Loria’s dedication to her vision, Eat Your Flowers is expected to continue its upward trajectory. The company’s journey thus far serves as both an inspiration and a lesson in chasing one’s passion and breaking barriers within unconventional industries.
