When John Tabis stepped onto the Shark Tank set in 2014 with The Bouqs Co., his idea sounded bold to say the least. He wanted to change how people buy flowers by sending them straight from eco-friendly farms to customers, cutting out the usual middlemen. It was an ambitious swing, and the Sharks were not convinced. Some felt the vision was trying to do too much at once.
The Sharks did not want to dabble because, at the moment, the customer-acquisition-cost felt too high. A six-day delivery period and a crowded market made it worse.
Tabis left without a deal, but he did not walk away from the idea. Over the years that followed, he stayed focused on growing the company step by step. Customers connected with the idea, drawn to fresher flowers and a simpler path from farm to home.
The business evolved into something that would haunt Mark Cuban’s conscience for declining it.
Mark Cuban’s Shark Tank Regret
The company’s persistence paid off in a major way. The Bouqs Co. later reached a milestone of $1 million in sales in a single day after Shark Tank. Looking back, Mark Cuban openly called it the deal he wished he had taken.
The deal is now remembered as one of the show’s biggest missed chances. Today, The Bouqs Co. is entering a new phase as it grows across the country. That growth has opened the door for a new group of investors to take part.
It also explains a few lingering questions. The biggest one is why Mark Cuban still regrets saying no. Why Robert Herjavec later decided to invest. And why everyday investors are starting to watch the company more closely.
(Robert Herjavec later invested in the brand in 2017 for a $24 million Series C round in 2017. This had happened after he had passed on the business in Shark Tank Season 5.)
The Problem With the Traditional Flower Model
The flower industry still operates on a slow, crowded system. After flowers are cut, they move through a long chain before reaching a buyer. A lot of them never survive the journey.
Each stop adds delay. Farms pass flowers to importers, then to wholesalers, then to other handlers before they are finally sold. That back-and-forth can stretch to nearly two weeks.
By the time the bouquet arrives, freshness has already been lost. Customers end up with flowers that look good for a short time, not nearly as long as they should.
How The Bouqs Co. Changed the Flower Supply Chain
The Bouqs Co. took a different route. Instead of relying on layers of middlemen, it sends flowers straight from farms to customers. That simple shift cuts out days of waiting.
With fewer stops along the way, flowers can arrive within one to four days. That means fresher bouquets and a much shorter journey from harvest to home.
The company says this approach also cuts down on waste. What used to be a major loss across the industry drops to a very small amount, making the model faster and cleaner overall.
The Direct From Farm Model Behind The Bouqs Co. That Cut Down Waste
The Bouqs Co. keeps things simple by sending most of its flowers straight from growers to buyers. According to the company, about 90 percent of its shipments avoid the usual detours.
That direct approach reduces waste and gives flowers a longer vase life. Fewer delays mean the bouquet arrives in better condition.
It is a model that customers have responded to. The company continues to grow, driven by repeat buyers who like fresher flowers that last longer.
How The Bouqs Co. Built a Loyal Subscription Business
Over time, The Bouqs Co. has grown into a flower brand that customers genuinely stick with. The company now runs one of the largest flower subscription programs anywhere, with subscribers spending more than $700 a year on average, according to the company.
That kind of repeat buying is rare in consumer brands. It has helped The Bouqs Co. stand out in a crowded space. Today, according to reports, it ranks as the fourth-highest earning business to come out of Shark Tank, with millions of orders each year and up to $1.2 million in annual revenue per store.
The company has become a major player in the U.S. flower subscription space. It is also expanding offline, with new retail locations rolling out in cities across the country. Its arrangements have earned coverage from top publications and are available through retail partners such as Whole Foods and Macy’s.
Bouqs Co. Is Expanding With Local Flower Stores
The Bouqs Co. is taking its next step by moving closer to customers on a local level. As of 2025, the brand plans to open more than 70 locations nationwide, aiming to build a coast-to-coast network of floral studios.
These locations are designed to support fast delivery and to handle higher-value work, such as weddings and events. This setup helps the business reach more customers while keeping things efficient.
The early results are strong. In areas where stores are already open, the company says sales have doubled year over year. It is a sign that bringing flowers closer to customers is paying off.
How The Bouqs Co. Is Scaling Beyond Shark Tank
The Bouqs Co. is now welcoming investors as it pushes into its next stage of growth. The company is expanding both its retail presence and online reach, with some locations generating up to $1.2 million a year, according to the business.
Backed by a faster, more efficient supply chain, the brand believes it is well-positioned to lead the farm-to-vase space. For investors, the appeal is clear. This is a company that moved past a Shark Tank no and built a proven model that is now scaling on a much larger stage.
The Deal Mark Cuban Still Regrets Passing On
Looking back, it is easy to see why this deal still sticks with Mark Cuban. What once felt risky turned into a clear example of patience paying off. The Bouqs Co. did not rush growth or chase shortcuts.
It fixed a broken system and stayed focused on customers. That steady approach is what turned a Shark Tank no into a nationwide business. For Cuban, it stands as a reminder that some of the best ideas take time to prove themselves.
