Funky Mello on 'Shark Tank': Cost and how to buy handmade, gluten-free vegan marshmallow cremes and spreads
AUSTIN, TEXAS: In 'Shark Tank' Season 15, Zach Harper and Delisa Harper unveil Funky Mello, their vegan marshmallows made from chickpeas. The pair had dietary sensitivities and wanted to make a whipped dessert that suited them.
Are you ready to take a flavor-filled voyage into the world of marshmallows? Meet Delisa and Zach, the innovative creators of Funky Mello, often known as "the Willy Wonkas of marshmallows," who are going to revolutionize the dessert game on 'Shark Tank' on March 1.
Funky Mello is more than simply marshmallows; it's about rethinking pleasure with a refreshing, nostalgic twist. Zach and Delisa went on this delectable expedition motivated by a desire for healthy treats and their own dietary constraints.
Their objective is to develop a gluten-free, allergen-free dessert without sacrificing taste or quality.
What is Funky Mello on 'Shark Tank' Season 15?
In a crowded market, Funky Mello stands out as the world's first refrigerated plant-based marshmallow cream. Their path has been nothing short of spectacular, with national acclaim and a rising presence in retail locations around the country.
Funky Mello is capitalizing on the growing vegan dessert industry with its inventive concoctions. It has won the hearts and taste buds of customers looking for clean, delectable snacks, with flavors like cookie, strawberry, and vanilla that are free of the top 8 allergies and gluten.
But Funky Mello doesn't end there. In a recent partnership with Austin-based Fitjoy, they introduced Dippsterz, which combines gluten-free pretzel sticks with their famous vanilla-flavored marshmallow cream, all while contributing to the battle against food poverty for children in the US.
"This is a very special project for us because, for the first time ever, we are giving back a portion of the proceeds to help fight food insecurity for children in the United States," says Zach.
Their marshmallow crèmes aren't just for s'mores; they're multipurpose treats that improve anything from coffee cream to charcuterie board toppers. Funky Mello is more than just a dip; it's a mood, thanks to a growing fan base that discovers new and surprising ways to enjoy their products.
So, whether you're a vegan, have dietary limitations, or simply enjoy delectable sweets, join Zach and Delisa on their crazy and tasty journey with Funky Mello. After all, who knew chickpeas could be the hidden heroes of allergen-free eating?
Who are the founders of Funky Mello?
Delisa started Funky Mello with her husband, Zach. As children, they were enamored with marshmallows, but as adults, their bodies couldn't tolerate the unfavorable elements.
So they began selling homemade crispy delights at Houston farmers' markets. Then they set their eyes on making vegan marshmallows, which are significantly more difficult than you might expect!
They are now making fabulously clean, plant-based marshmallow crèmes and couldn't be happier.
They have faced several hurdles, ranging from production to design. Growing a firm in the face of unanticipated challenges, such as COVID-19, was no easy feat.
Finding the silver lining is something that helps people continue. For example, Zach was admitted to the hospital numerous times last year for what was subsequently discovered to be chronic gastritis.
To appreciate food again, he needed to eat cleanly. Although terrifying, they couldn't have invented their delightfully clean marshmallow crèmes without that encounter.
The Harpers met at a music festival and began their entrepreneurial journey six months into their partnership. "It’s something we always wanted to do," Delisa states. "We worked on the recipe off and on in our kitchen for years – really since the inception of our company!"
Many people consume it with a spoon right out of the carton. "That means that our marshmallow is that good," Delisa explains.
Zach received a Bachelor's degree in Business/Corporate Communications from the University of Houston in 2012. The next year, he began working as an Account Manager for Medco Medical Supply.
After one year, he became Quinti's Pharmaceutical Representative. In 2015, Zach worked in Touchpoint Solutions' Pharmaceutical Sales team.
Zach started working as the Sales Manager at Freedom Medical in 2017. This is also the year Funky Mello was formed.
Zach joined ePac Flexible Packaging in 2019 as a Sales Specialist.
Delisa, a foodie with an affinity for wellness and creating meaningful experiences, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Funky Mello, a feel-good marshmallow company. She has a decade of marketing experience with prominent organizations in the media and technology sectors, including Search Engine Journal, OpenText, and HP.
During this period, she focused on event management and promotions. Delisa holds an MBA and a bachelor's degree in marketing from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
She presently resides in Austin, Texas.
What is the cost and how to buy Funky Mello?
Aside from Whole Foods, they sell through their website. There are no individual options; they sell packages.
For example, a three-pack of hazelnut, vanilla, and chai marshmallow dip costs $19.99. Funky Mello is now available in 30 locations, with plans for large-scale growth underway.
They've received high praise from their rapidly expanding and vocal consumer base, which uses them for everything from coffee cream to charcuterie board toppings. Melissa, who left a 5-star Google review, is one of their devotees who has found unexpected uses for the crèmes.
She claimed: "I had Funky Mello cater s’mores cups for my wedding. They were such a hit! I didn’t tell the non vegans that it was vegan and they all loved it. I was worried at first that I may have got too much dessert but that not really a thing with my family and friends. They even tasted great for about a week after the wedding."
Funky Mello has also garnered some notable awards. Foxtrot, one of the country's most popular stores, has named Funky Mello one of six winners of its 2022 Up & Comers Awards.
The brand was chosen from more than 1,000 entries. Funky Mello also earned a golden ticket to the KeHe 2022 TrendFinder event.
KeHe is one of the major distributors of natural, organic, specialized, and fresh products.
The extraordinarily enthusiastic response has demonstrated that the Harpers are making their imprint in the thriving vegan dessert sector, appealing to a diverse variety of consumers, vegans or not.
Where is Funky Mello from 'Shark Tank' Season 15 now?
From selling crispy sweets and marshmallows at farmer's markets to garnering awards from major stores such as KeHe and Foxtrot, Zach and Delisa's enthusiasm for crafting feel-good food is evident in every taste of Funky Mello.
Funky Mello has entered a market with significant growth potential. According to Future Market Insights, the vegan dessert market is estimated to reach $3.2 billion in 2023 and then increase to $6.7 billion by 2033 at an 8.5 percent CAGR.
The rising popularity of the vegan lifestyle, notably in North America and Europe, has fueled this expansion. Customers are more interested in living better lifestyles or have dietary restrictions, which is driving up demand.
Plant-based sweet delights offer similar quality, flavor, and visual appeal to classic sweets.
They weren't fulfilling orders until April/May, with the intended air date being March 1, 2024. Since they already have a retail footprint, they are most likely seeking a Shark to help them grow nationally.
Who will steal the deal on Shark Tank Season 15?
We believe that Shark Mark Cuban will make a bid for this business, which the Harpers will accept. They're located in Houston, so there is the Texas link.
The company is minority-owned, and Mark has made investments in minority-owned enterprises in recent years. It is also a vegan product, and Mark is vegan.
He has previously invested in vegan food startups.
'Shark Tank' Season 15, Episode 16, airs on ABC on Friday, March 1, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like Da Vinci Eye, Fila Manila, Funky Mello, and Mella.
For those who miss the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.