'Shark Tank': Why did Rule Breaker not get a deal? Fans say Nancy Kalish's $1.6M debt will leave her 'homeless'

Neither the sharks nor fans were optimistic about the future of Rule Breaker Snacks after hearing that the founder Nancy Kalish has taken a huge amount in loans to fund the company
PUBLISHED FEB 6, 2021
Nancy Kalish of Rule Breaker Snacks on 'Shark Tank' (ABC)
Nancy Kalish of Rule Breaker Snacks on 'Shark Tank' (ABC)

Nancy Kalish, the founder of vegan snacks company 'Rule Breaker' entered the tank with a bright smile and bundles of optimism. This New York-based entrepreneur was seeking $400,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in her company that makes vegan and allergen-free brownies and blondies. During her pitch, Nancy emphasized how her cookies were different from the other "healthy cookies" available in the market. 

She brought out a huge board with No written on it and began throwing ingredients used in other healthy cookies, such as flour, eggs, butter, etc. She then claimed that her cookies have none of those ingredients, and brought out a bowl of chickpeas, and revealed that they were the first ingredient in her cookies.

RELATED ARTICLES

Rule Breaker on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who is the founder and where you can buy the delicious sweet treats?

'Shark Tank': How NightCap got an instant deal with Lori Greiner to stop the 'scary' drink spiking problem

When the sharks looked a bit hesitant at the idea of having a cookie made out of chickpeas, the entrepreneur assured them that they wouldn't be able to tell the difference due to the chewy and soft texture.

Turns out she was right as all the sharks except Daymond John really enjoyed them. Then the topic of numbers came up. Nancy spit out some impressive sales numbers that piqued the interest of all sharks. However, when she was asked about her profits, the entrepreneur admitted that she didn't make any money from the sales and that the company would break even only the next year. 

Nancy Kalish (ABC)

The sharks were then curious to know how much she invested in the company and how she was funding it. Nany then shocked the sharks when she revealed that she invested $1.6 million of her own money into the firm.

She then explained that she took a few loans including a home equity loan. The sharks were mortified on hearing the huge mountain of debt that lay ahead of her. One by one all the sharks backed out of making a deal with her stating she had to first tackle the debt before going any further.



 

Fans too seemed to agree with the sharks and weren't very optimistic about the company's future. A fan tweeted, "#SharkTank @kevinolearytv almost crossed but that debt is SERIOUS. She need to hope for BIG things after the pitch."

Another fan wrote, "I don't even have a suggestion for what rule breaker should do, because she has big debt problem. #SharkTank." "She needs to stop selling cookies and get another job or two. To get out of debt accrued making cookies #SharkTank," suggested a fan.



 



 



 

Another fan commented, "She's gonna sell millions of cookies and be homeless. #SharkTank." "I think once you put as much money in as she did, you don't have a choice but to keep trying even if it's an uphill battle. #SharkTank," pointed out a fan. "This company is a money pit. Tough one!! #SharkTank," declared a fan.



 



 



 

'Shark Tank' Season 12 airs every Friday at 8/7c on ABC. 

RELATED TOPICS SHARK TANK (2009)

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Pluribus’ Season 1 finale ramps up the suspense as Carol faces tough moral choices and Manousos arrives, with fans eagerly awaiting the conclusion
1 hour ago
Fans were soon disappointed when they tuned in on December 18 for a new 'Matlock' Season 2 episode but found none.
2 hours ago
Created by Darren Star, Season 5 shifts its focus to Emily’s romance with Marcello, leaving fans questioning Gabriel's place in her story
2 hours ago
The new 'Pluribus' fan theory stems from a scene in which Carol is seen driving around town in a police car
4 hours ago
The movie, slated to be released next year, also features Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Riz Ahmed, and Emma D'Arcy, among others
5 hours ago
Carol continued to research the Hive Mind in the latest episode of 'Pluribus', uncovering deeper insights about the Joining
5 hours ago
The singer released the first two episodes of new docuseries about the Eras Tour last week
17 hours ago
The show tracing the sleuth's early years releases March 4, 2026 with all episodes dropping together
17 hours ago
The prequel focuses on a younger version of Wyatt Russell's Shaw as an American operative in 1984
20 hours ago
The recently released fifth season of Netflix's 'Emily in Paris' saw Lily Collins' Emily Cooper join Agence Grateau’s new branch in Rome
20 hours ago