Let’s drop the big Shark Tank myth first: a handshake on TV isn’t money in your bank account. We’ve seen it a million times on Shark Tank—they celebrate, hug the Sharks, then suddenly, crickets. So here’s the story of Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm—a company that got the deal, but didn’t need it to win.
The Johnson family didn’t dream of a honey empire. They got into it the hard way, not chasing profits but trying to fix their son Zach’s allergies with raw, local honey right from their farm in rural New Jersey. Like a true origin story, what started in the family kitchen turned into a business on farmers market tables. It’s gritty, personal, and it wasn’t built for Shark Tank glamor. But the passion drew eyes—and that’s how you get front row with the Sharks.
2. Meet the Founders: The Johnson Family’s Startup Roots
People love the family business angle on Shark Tank, but it can get cheesy. Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm isn’t selling nostalgia—they’re moving product and running a tight ship. Kam and Summer Johnson (that’s mom and dad) run the daily ops and big-picture planning. But don’t sleep on Zach and Zoë, the kids who gave the company its name—they help with the hives, ideas, and yes, they’re part of the decisions.
When you see them on Shark Tank Season 13, Episode 7, you spot it right away: this isn’t just parents using cute kids for sales. Everyone’s in the trenches. That’s the kind of full-team grind most glossy family brands don’t show you.
3. Shark Tank Pitch: What Really Went Down in the Tank
Forget the edit—they walked into Shark Tank not for a miracle, but to make a business leap. The ask was sharp: $150,000 for 10% equity. No crazy overvaluation, just smart confidence. At the time, they’d already racked up $888,000 in annual sales, with 70% coming straight from customers. Minimal advertising. Real profit numbers.
Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s were already on board, which doesn’t happen unless you’re hustling to get on shelves. The family’s pitch had facts instead of fluff, and that always makes the Sharks perk up. Cue offers.
4. The Shark Tank Deal: Did It Actually Close?
Here’s where it gets real. Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O’Leary both took bites. Barbara went in strongest, and the family shook hands with her: $200,000 for 15% equity.
But don’t confuse TV with real life. After the lights go off, due diligence starts. Background checks, paperwork, the Sharks’ teams get busy. Many deals fall through, and this one did too. No money changed hands; Barbara Corcoran never wrote the check. They got the handshake, but not the cash. If you’re a founder, remember: deal on TV means maybe at best.
5. Net Worth and Revenue: How Much Is Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm Worth?
Let’s talk real numbers. At the Shark Tank pitch, the Johnsons were already looking at $888,000 in annual sales—with nearly zero spent on ads. That means they were making sales the old-fashioned way: boots on the ground, word-of-mouth, and solid retail distribution. That tells me profit margins are healthy (raw honey isn’t cheap to make, but it’s got premium price power).
So, how much is Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm worth today? There’s no official net worth (these are private books), but play this out: if they kept even modest growth and pushed distribution, a $2M–$4M valuation isn’t crazy. Especially for a family business plugging into Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Target accelerator programs.
Their numbers didn’t depend on the Shark’s money—instead, they used the TV exposure to grow the top line. That’s classic ride the Shark Tank wave, but don’t get burned strategy.
6. Product Line Review: What’s Inside the Jar?
If you’ve ever tried to stand out on a crowded grocery shelf, you know it’s vicious. Zach & Zoë pulled a Bombas-style move—they don’t just sell honey; they infuse it with superfoods like lemon, lavender, cranberry, and blueberry.
Even the packaging tells you this isn’t mass-market squeeze-bottle honey. It’s raw, unfiltered, and small batch—right from their 50 hives, bottled in a local commercial kitchen in New Jersey. Every jar runs $20 to $24 for a pound. That’s premium for honey, but the brand justifies it: superfood infusions, heritage vibes, from our family to yours storytelling.
And they keep it fresh with seasonal flavors. When you’re in natural foods, the word seasonal turns slow movers into must-haves. That’s a retail trick major brands can’t pull off as nimbly.
7. Retail and Distribution: Where Can You Find Zach & Zoë Now?
Here’s the hustle after Shark Tank: you’ll find Zach & Zoë honey on the shelves at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. That’s not just luck—it’s the payoff from knocking on doors, showing up at markets, and investing in brand design.
They’ve also been featured by Target’s Forward Founders Accelerator, pushing them closer to mass retail without diluting their boutique appeal. You can buy straight from their website, and some flavors pop up on Amazon and smaller online shops.
Getting that shelf space is a grind. If you think one big retail deal lets you retire, you’re dreaming. You need constant hustle, reorders, and hand-holding with buyers. The Johnsons are in that daily battle, and so far, they’re winning.
8. Future Moves: What’s Next for This Family Business?
This isn’t a mom-and-pop operation looking to coast. The Johnsons are planning a dedicated warehouse on their property—serious move for any brand that wants to scale production. That’s how you avoid backorders and keep retailers happy.
They keep adding flavors and looking for new retail partners. You can tell they pulled lessons from Shark Tank, even without the deal: keep innovating, keep your story clear, and own distribution as much as you can.
They know that riding the Shark Tank wave only goes so far—the real game is making distribution and production smoother so the company isn’t just a one-season wonder.
9. Conclusion: Lessons from Zach & Zoë’s Shark Tank Journey
Is getting a deal on Shark Tank the holy grail? Not for this crew. The Johnson family took the exposure, ran harder at retail, and built a real, growing brand on their own grit. No magic rescue, no shortcuts—just hard work boosted by a little primetime firepower.
This journey is your blueprint: a solid product, family commitment, smart retail strategy, and not letting TV deals make or break your hustle. That’s the lesson for founders losing sleep over missed deals—use every spotlight, but don’t let the glitz blind you. Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm is still in business because they didn’t rely on Barbara’s check. They relied on themselves.
Want more honest debriefs and founder stats? Check out SharkWorth for the no-spin reality on who’s still making money, who tanked, and who’s punching above their weight.
FAQs
1. Is Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm still in business?
Yep, and bigger than ever. They used the Shark Tank spotlight to scale up, even without the deal actually closing.
2. Did Barbara Corcoran invest in Zach & Zoë after Shark Tank?
Nope, the deal never closed post-show — this is a classic lesson about handshake deals not being done deals.
3. Where can I buy Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm honey?
Check Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, some online retailers, and their official website. Some Target programs also feature them.
4. How much does Zach & Zoë’s honey cost?
A one-pound jar runs $20 to $24, depending on flavor.
5. Who actually makes the honey?
The Johnson family manages about 50 hives on their New Jersey farm and partners with local beekeepers for more supply.
6. How did Shark Tank affect their sales?
Exposure brought in new customers, more retail partnerships, and helped the brand reach a wider market.
7. What makes their product different from standard honey?
It’s raw, unfiltered, and infused with superfoods—plus, the small-batch, family touch matters in branding.
8. Do Zach and Zoë (the kids) still work in the business?
The family still runs the show, with the kids being part of operations and the brand story.
Take it from the grind: Shark Tank can open doors, but only founders who keep hustling step through them. Zach & Zoë Sweet Bee Farm didn’t just survive the Tank—they took the wheel and kept driving. That’s the playbook worth copying.
