Creation Nation Shark Tank Update – Shark Tank Season 12
Karen Nation pitches Creation Nation, a DIY protein bar mix company, on Shark Tank Season 12. It has gained national presence in stores like Whole Foods and Walmart, plus strong online distribution.
Karen Nation hopes the Sharks bite on her Creation Nation, her “do it yourself protein bars from scratch,” in Shark Tank Season 12 Episode 23. She grew up in foster homes and struggled with food allergies as a child. Now, as a certified sports nutrition specialist, she likes to eat a healthy, balanced diet and provide one for her clients.
Check out other Shark Tank Season 12 Episodes.
About Creation Nation
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Business Name | Creation Nation |
| Founder | Karen Nation |
| Industry | Food & Nutrition |
| Product | DIY protein bar mix |
| Investment Asked | $300,000 for 12% equity |
| Deal Status | No deal secured |
| Valuation | $2.5 million |
In 2014, Nation decided to start her company to provide an alternative to “blah” protein bars on the market. Most of those, she says, “are nothing but glorified candy bars.” What she offers is a ready-to-make mix to make your own protein bars at home.
All you do is provide a liquid (yogurt, applesauce, or a nut milk) and a fat (almond butter, avocado, or ghee). All you do is mix everything together and add a sweetener if desired. The mixes work with a vegan, keto, or paleo diet. It’s fresher than prepackaged protein bars and more eco-friendly since Nation’s packaging is reusable.
The mixes come in four flavors: Oat Yes Chocolate Chip, Cocoa for Coconuts, Whey Hip Chocolate Chip, and Peas Love and Cocoa. They range in price from $7.99 to $12.99 per bag, and each bag makes 8 protein bars.
You can find Creation Nation’s products in select Walmart stores, Whole Foods, Hyvee, Albertsons, and other smaller grocers. She also sells from her Amazon store. While Karen did a good job getting her products on the shelves, she’d love a Shark to take a bite and help her grow even faster.
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Creation Nation Shark Tank Pitch
Karen enters the Shark Tank seeking $300,000 for 12% of her business. She tells her story and introduces the products while she whips up a batch of snacks. She has pre-prepared treats for the Sharks, which they like.
She’s in regional tests with Whole Foods on the West Coast, Costco in the Midwest, and Walmart on the East Coast. It costs $2-$3.50 to make, and they sell for $7-$11. She tells how the foster care situation molded her love for nutrition. She did $500,000 last year and is on track to sell the same this year.
Her biggest problem was that she had issues with their previous co-packer, which had to withdraw from the shelves. When Covid hit, she tripled sales.
Did Creation Nation Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
No, Creation Nation failed to convince the investors to make a deal.
Kevin doesn’t like the fact that Karen can’t answer a question about profits; he’s out. Lori doesn’t think it’s the right investment for her; she’s out. Alex likes her mission and her story, but he goes out because Karen doesn’t know her numbers.
Barbara thinks there’s no money in this deal; she’s out. Mark thinks it’s too much work; he’s out too.
Creation Nation Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank Blog constantly provides updates and follow-ups about entrepreneurs who have appeared on the Shark Tank TV show. The business got a big post-show bump, and Karen credits her appearance on the show with growing her direct-to-consumer business.
As of July 2021, she still sells her products in Albertson’s, Hyvee Stores, Whole Foods, and around a dozen smaller grocery chains. She also has an Amazon Store. She introduced cookies, energy bites, and protein bar mixes.
The business won a Good Housekeeping Best Snack Award in 2023. As of October 2023, it was in Sprouts, Thrive, and Central Markets. Its annual revenue is over $1 million.
The estimated net worth of Creation Nation is approximately $1.6 million.
Posts about Creation Nation on Shark Tank Blog
Protein Bar Mix by Creation Nation
Where Can You Buy It?
Creation Nation products are available for purchase on their official website, Amazon, Whole Foods, and other retail stores. Check out their social media pages for more updates: Facebook and Instagram.
Quick Summary
- Karen Nation pitched Creation Nation on Shark Tank, seeking $300,000 for 12% equity, but did not secure a deal due to concerns over her lack of financial clarity.
- Creation Nation offers ready-to-make protein bar mixes for vegan, keto, and paleo diets. These mixes are available at major retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, and Amazon.
- As of October 2023, Creation Nation has expanded its product line and reached over $1 million in annual revenue, winning a Good Housekeeping Best Snack Award in 2023.
More products from this episode! Check out other businesses that participated alongside Creation Nation.
