Who is Heather Kelly? 'Shark Tank' fans root for Heather's Choice to get a deal as founder admits to be in debt
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Heather's Choice, a one-of-a-kind business that provides high-quality, calorie-dense dehydrated camping meals, made an impression on the most recent episode of 'Shark Tank' Season 15. Even though the company's founder, Heather Kelly, impressed viewers with her products, fans were hoping for her to close a deal, which regrettably did not materialize.
Heather was born and raised in Bird Creek, Alaska, and developed a strong appreciation for healthful, home-cooked meals. Heather's Choice was founded on her enthusiasm for sports nutrition and a desire to provide nutritious, convenient meal alternatives for outdoor enthusiasts.
Heather saw the absence of healthy food sources in the backcountry after earning a degree in Evolutionary Sports Nutrition in 2010. This insight inspired the creation of Heather's Choice in 2014.
Heather applied to 'Shark Tank' in January 2023, and a few months later she received a good response. She had two weeks to prepare a five-minute presentation and get through a lot of documentation.
In September 2023, she came to Los Angeles to record her piece despite having a negative bank account! Her pitch made it evident that she was well familiar with her business.
On X, fans wrote, "Okay this presenter needs a deal! She has an excellent product with so many lanes she can go down - from improverished communities, camping communities, after school meals for children, etc. My heart sunk when she said how much debt she had. Get her a deal sharks!" Another user chimed in, "It's a great product that people say taste amazing, you did that so hold onto that over how bad things get. Keep your head high."
#SharkTank Okay this presenter needs a deal! She has an excellent product with so many lanes she can go down - from improverished communities, camping communities, after school meals for children, etc. My heart sunk when she said how much debt she had. Get her a deal sharks!
— Maureen 'mo' Amos (@ldydemon) January 13, 2024
It's a great product that people say taste amazing, you did that so hold onto that over how bad things get. Keep your head high #HeathersChoice #SharkTank
— J. Seaberry (@JJSea) January 13, 2024
One viewer tweeted, "Sending @heatherschoice's owner a big hug!" A fourth person wrote, "Watched Heather tonight on Shark Tank. Great presentation. A Real Warrior! #Entrepreneur #inspiring #rolemodel@heatherschoice."
Sending @heatherschoice's owner a big hug!#SharkTank @ABCSharkTank pic.twitter.com/FiQqYCBXjl
— Jamie Steinberg ♡ (@NotYerAvgChick) January 13, 2024
Watched Heather tonight on Shark Tank. Great presentation. A Real Warrior! #Entrepreneur #inspiring #rolemodel @heatherschoice
— Crosshair (@CrosshairDan) January 13, 2024
Speaking of the product, fans also wrote, "This looks so convenient and great even for preppers! Just heat the water in the kettle and pour in, nice! The only ask is to separate the vegan from the vegetarian when this biz expands the menu options. I'd love to order the oats, but they all have dairy."
@ABCSharkTank This looks so convenient and great even for preppers! Just heat the water in the kettle and pour in, nice! The only ask is to separate the vegan from the vegetarian when this biz expands the menu options. I'd love to order the oats, but they all have dairy.
— Carrie Alena Ⓥ 𝕏 (@carriealena) January 13, 2024
Heather's Choice witnessed boost in web traffic following 'Shark Tank' appearance
Soon after the episode aired on ABC, the official Instagram of Heather's Choice showed an overwhelming response from the fans. In one of the Instagram stories, Heather can be seen showing the boost in web traffic for her brand.
The decision to enter the 'Shark Tank' was more than just a need for finance; it was an attempt to raise the brand to an unprecedented level of visibility. The presence of the program is expected to foster collaboration, streamline logistics, and address cost-related issues that frequently hamper firms in this area.
Heather's Choice felt like a logical choice for the program, which has a history of promoting food-focused enterprises looking to disrupt the culinary sector with their unique ideas.
How many times was money raised for Heather's Choice before 'Shark Tank'?
Heather's Choice ran an Indiegogo campaign in December 2017 to acquire funding and test the market before appearing on 'Shark Tank'. The campaign was successful, garnering $54,074 from 449 backers. Heather has also raised funds from Launch Alaska and, most recently, the 49th State Angel Fund.
Heather's Choice is associated with many alliances
Heather's Choice may still be running strong over a decade after its inception, but it has also become a part of something bigger - in more ways than one. In 2022, it became the first Alaska-based corporation to join The Conservation Alliance, a continent-wide corporate coalition devoted to environmental preservation.
On a more local basis, Heather's Choice has joined the Outdoor Alliance, a collaboration of women-owned companies in Anchorage, Alaska. Elevated Oats, AK Coffee Company, and Alpine Fit are among the enterprises represented by the association, which is intended to act as a support network for female entrepreneurs and their businesses.
While Heather's Choice has ties to the Anchorage community, a significant shift in the company's base of operations is possible in the near future. Heather acknowledged in a 2023 interview with Alaska Public Media that she has pondered transferring Heather's Choice out of Alaska owing to logistical concerns as the firm expands.
'Shark Tank' Season 15 airs on Fridays on ABC at 8 pm ET.
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.
