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Deliciously Sweet: The Story of Sweet Ballz and Their Irresistible Cake Balls
James McDonald, the entrepreneur behind Sweet Ballz, introduced his delectable cake balls to the Shark Tank panel during the season 5 premiere.
Sweet Ballz is a company that offers a wide range of delicious cake ball products, perfect for catering operations, hospitality services, healthcare facilities, sports venues, casinos, and more.
With bulk packing options available, Sweet Ballz is an ideal choice for restaurants, delis, coffee shops, and universities looking to add a sweet touch to their menus.
McDonald meticulously crafted the recipe for his cake balls, initially sharing them with friends and family before expanding to a vast distribution network of over 5,000 retail outlets nationwide.
McDonald described the courage it took to forge ahead during his company’s start-up journey. In June 2013, the corporation organized a fund-raising event for testicular cancer, sparking inquiries from Dallas-area news sites about the event’s authenticity.
Sweet Ballz boasts a dynamic business model and a rapidly expanding distribution network that includes tens of thousands of 7-11s.
The partnership with 7-11 was announced in March, although the company’s website currently lacks online payment options.
Sweet Ballz’ cake balls are renowned for their quality and quantity, drawing parallels to the popular cupcakes by Wicked Good Cupcakes. These delectable cake balls offer a convenient snack option when you crave a sweet treat without committing to a full slice of cake.
Sweet Ballz is a spherical treat that contains layers of savory cake frosting. It is the creation of two young men from Dallas, James McDonald and Cole Egger, who have a passion for baking.
The packaging allows you to enjoy some now and save some for later, provided you can resist the temptation to indulge all at once.
Sweet Ballz comes in Red Velvet, Birthday Cake, and Chocolate flavors and is available at Seven-Elevens across the country.
Founded by James McDonald and Cole Egger, Sweet Ballz has expanded its reach to over 5,000 locations nationwide, catering to both retail customers and friends and family.
The company now offers customers the option to purchase their beloved cake balls directly from their website, further solidifying their presence in the market.
Sweet Ballz Shark Tank Pitch
James McDonald and Cole Egger pitched their company, Sweet Ballz, on the popular TV show Shark Tank, aiming to secure a $250,000 investment in exchange for a 10% equity stake in their business.
During their pitch, they posed a tempting question to the sharks, “Who among you is ready to whip up some delectable sugary dough infused with delicious sugar balls?”
Within a mere 90 days, Sweet Ballz managed to rake in over $700,000 in sales, primarily through 7-11 store locations. This success caught the attention of the sharks, who swiftly became eager to get a piece of the action.
Barbara was the first to make a move, offering $250,000 for a significant 40% share of Sweet Ballz.
Kevin countered with a proposal of the same amount for a 30% stake, with the condition of receiving a monthly dividend based on McDonald’s and Egger’s compensation.
Lori also expressed interest in the deal, suggesting selling Sweet Ballz products on QVC in exchange for a 36% ownership stake, similar to Mr. Wonderful’s distribution agreement. The competition among the sharks was heating up!
Robert saw potential in the company and put forward $250,000 for a 25% share, confident in his ability to leverage his contacts to get Sweet Ballz onto the shelves of Costco stores.
Meanwhile, Mark, not wanting to be left out, offered to team up with Barbara for a 25% stake in exchange for $250,000.
Robert, Lori, and Kevin joined forces to propose a joint investment of $250,000 for a 30% stake in Sweet Ballz, inflaming the competitive spirit among the sharks.
The sharks were all vying for a piece of the action, and James and Cole left the Shark Tank with promising deals. However, their excitement was short-lived as the agreements fell through once the episode aired on television.
Final Deal: Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran agreed to invest $250,000 for a 25% stake in Sweet Ballz.
The Rise and Fall of Sweet Ballz: A Post-“Shark Tank” Journey
Sweet Ballz, a company featured on the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” faced both success and challenges following their appearance. Initially, the business experienced a surge in orders after the episode aired, leading to their website being overwhelmed and temporarily shut down. However, internal conflicts arose between the co-founders, Cole Egger and James McDonald, resulting in legal battles and a change in ownership.
Despite the potential for growth and success post-Shark Tank,” Sweet Ballz found itself entangled in legal disputes instead of capitalizing on its newfound fame.
This situation led to uncertainty surrounding the future of the business, with key investors like Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran opting out of potential deals. As a result, Sweet Ballz faced setbacks during a critical period of opportunity.
Presently, the Sweet Ballz website remains active, albeit with online orders closed during the summer months, to maintain the quality of their products.
However, the company’s social media presence has been notably silent since December 2020, leaving customers questioning the status of the business and its operations.
While James McDonald is purportedly still leading Sweet Ballz, the company’s current status and plans remain unclear.
Despite advertising its signature cake pops and themed Sports Ballz for delivery and food service, Sweet Ballz’s prolonged silence raises doubts about its ongoing operations and strategic direction.
As Sweet Ballz continues its radio silence for over two years, speculation surrounds the company’s viability and potential for future endeavors.
Although promises of expansion and growth were made in the past, external factors such as the pandemic may have hindered these plans from materializing. Additionally, the discontinuation of product sales at 7-Eleven locations further complicates the company’s trajectory.
Sweet Ballz is expected to resurface and introduce new product offerings in the future. Sweet Ballz’s future remains uncertain, regardless of whether it prepares for a seasonal relaunch or faces internal challenges.
Sweet Ballz’s new flavors and products may entice loyal customers and attract a broader audience, but only time will tell if it can overcome its past hurdles and regain its competitiveness.
Sweet Ballz does not have any social media updates and no activity, so it appears the company is out of business, and its effective net worth is $0.
