Ice Chips Candy - Shark Tank Update

Beverly Vines-Haines and Charlotte Clary, two entrepreneurial grandmothers, appeared on Season 4 seeking $250,000 for 15% equity in their sugar-free candy company. Ice Chips Candy was revolutionary for using xylitol as a sweetener instead of sugar, offering 17 different flavors of hard candy that were not only delicious but also promoted dental health.

The ladies had impressive sales figures, with $360,000 in 2011 and $342,000 year-to-date in 2012, projecting they would double their sales and possibly reach $1 million. Their pitch was compelling because they offered samples that even impressed the notoriously difficult-to-please Sharks, with Barbara Corcoran and Robert Herjavec declaring the candy 'simply delicious.' Barbara and Mark Cuban ultimately offered $250,000 for 40% equity, which the grandmas accepted.

Although the deal with Barbara and Mark never officially closed, the exposure from Shark Tank proved to be worth its weight in gold for Ice Chips Candy. The appearance generated over $300,000 in additional sales almost immediately, allowing the ladies to purchase much-needed manufacturing equipment and dramatically speed up production times.

The business has thrived beyond anyone's expectations, growing from a small startup to a major player in the sugar-free candy market. As of 2023, Ice Chips Candy boasts an estimated annual revenue of $5 million, a testament to the power of the 'Shark Tank effect' and the entrepreneurs' dedication to their product.

The candy is now widely available through their own website at icechips.com and on Amazon, proving that sometimes the best partnerships are the ones that never officially happen but provide the exposure needed for organic growth.