An Alabama-based entertainment company called The Christmas Carolers appeared on Shark Tank Season 17, Episode 7 and walked away with a $250,000 deal.
Owner and Founder of The Christmas Carolers, Kenyon Ross, entered the Tank alongside Jessica Harris, the company’s head elf. Their appearance aired on December 10, 2025, during a holiday-themed episode that leaned into seasonal businesses and festive pitches from start to finish.
And in an unlikely series of events, Barbara Corcoran acquired 60% of their business. Here is how it happened.
The Christmas Carolers Shark Tank Pitch
The presentation pivoted on old-school holiday charm. As the investors watched, a group of a cappella singers took the floor dressed in Victorian-era outfits and broke into cheerful Christmas songs. Even Ebenezer Scrooge made an appearance, complete with a well-timed Bah, humbug that got a laugh.
Ross and Harris then walked the panel through the business itself. The Christmas Carolers sends fully costumed singing groups to private parties and company events. Bookings start at $700 for the first hour. Ross launched the company in Hoover back in 1996, and it has steadily grown since then.
Today, the operation runs in 14 cities, turning a seasonal idea into a long-running enterprise.
The pair asked investors to put up $250,000 for a fifth of the company (implying a $1.25M valuation). The pitch included a clear plan for scaling. Ross and Harris said they want to push The Christmas Carolers into 50 cities nationwide.
Ross closed with a line that fit the moment. He told the sharks he would hate to see them visited by the ghost of missed chances, urging them not to let the deal slip away.
Tough Questions After the Caroling Ends
The Sharks seemed to enjoy the performance and gave Ross and Harris credit for their energy and dedication. Still, once the music stopped, the questions got more pointed. The investors wanted to dig into how the business really works beyond the holiday sparkle.
They were puzzled by the company’s small social media presence, noting that it only has a few hundred followers. The sales figures also raised eyebrows. Ross shared that the business has brought in just over $1 million across its entire run, a number that did not fully land with the panel.
Shark Tank Investors Scrutinize The Christmas Carolers’ Financials
Daymond John was quick with a blunt reaction. He pointed out that earning just over a million dollars since 1996 was not all that impressive, joking that someone could say the same after years waiting tables at Red Lobster.
Ross pushed back by offering more context. He said The Christmas Carolers is something he runs out of love for the idea, not his main source of income. Ross also said that the numbers could change fast with the right help.
If the company grows to 50 cities, he believes it could bring in $1 million in gross profit in a single year. That would be a sharp jump from the $255,000 reported revenue in 2024.
O’Leary jumped in with a quick calculation, putting that at about $50,000. Ross also made it clear that he does not draw a paycheck from the business, while Harris works in her head elf role on a part-time basis.
Daniel Lubetzky Critiques The Christmas Carolers’ Projections
That explanation did little to win over the panel. The Sharks were unconvinced by the plan and did not mince words. Daniel Lubetzky cracked that the projections might work, but only in some alternate reality. The comment drew a reaction in the room. He followed it up by giving Ross and Harris credit for their effort and commitment, easing the sting just a bit.
Lubetzky summed it up by saying Ross seemed driven more by joy than money. He told him it was obvious he loved the work, had fun doing it, and was happy just being along for the ride. While he called that spirit admirable, he said it did not make the business a fit for investment.
He was out. Daymond John, Lori Greiner, and Kevin O’Leary soon followed with no’s of their own. Just when it looked like the door had closed, Barbara Corcoran stepped in. She slid into the conversation with the kind of timing that you would expect from Santa himself.
Barbara Corcoran Changes the Direction of the Pitch
Corcoran laid out a deal no one was expecting. She offered $125,000 in cash for complete ownership of the company. The real estate mogul then added a matching $125,000 loan, saying it would give the business the runway it needs to grow.
Barbara also promised to personally help raise the company’s profile online and turn its quiet social media presence into something much bigger.
She made it clear Ross would not be pushed aside. Corcoran told him she wanted him as chairman of the board and said he would walk away with cash in hand while keeping whatever level of involvement felt right to him, whether that meant staying hands-on or stepping back when needed.
Alabama Company Lands $250,000 Deal on Shark Tank Holiday Episode
Ross looked genuinely surprised by the offer and did not hesitate to push back. He said he was not ready to part with the company he started and felt strongly about keeping ownership in his hands.
He explained that staying in control matters to him because he believes he is the one who can guide the business where it needs to go. Ross also shared that he wants to expand Harris’s role, bringing her on full-time and making her a partner as the company grows.
After some back and forth, Ross and Corcoran landed on a middle ground. Corcoran agreed to buy The Christmas Carolers for $125,000 in exchange for a 60 percent stake in the company. Ross kept 30 percent, while Harris came away with the remaining 10 percent.
Corcoran also included a $125,000 line of credit to help fuel growth. The added funding was aimed at expanding the business into new cities and giving the company room to scale beyond its current footprint.
A Christmas Miracle Ending For The Christmas Carolers
Ross admitted the outcome caught him off guard. He said it was clear on his face that this was not the direction he expected the pitch to take. Being bought out was never his goal, and not something he wanted. He said he was relieved they were able to land on terms that worked for him.
Harris had a simpler reaction. She laughed and pointed out that she walked away with more money.
The moment turned celebratory fast. The company’s performers broke into a short burst of the Hallelujah chorus. Kevin O’Leary wrapped it all up with a grin, calling the whole thing a Christmas miracle.
