Here's What Happened To Talbott Teas After Shark Tank

While some people dream of hitting the jackpot by winning the Mega Millions drawing, other entrepreneurs long for a different monetary windfall through "Shark Tank." Beyond the memorable pitch that gets the sharks circling, the product or concept must match the monetary valuation. With Talbott Teas, a few moments in the tank steeped a huge windfall for the brand.

According to Shark Tank Success, Talbott Teas appeared on Season 3, Episode 3 in 2012. The specialty tea blends went from an elegant sipper for a pampered few to a brand that made many tea drinkers' "best of" lists. The Chicago-based tea company hoped to leverage its success from being on QVC as well as Oprah's Favorite Things list to earn a deal with a shark. The goal was to use the "Shark Tank" partnership as a way to increase distribution for a company that was growing in its following.

Shane Talbott and Steven Nakisher asked the sharks for $250,000 for a 20% stake in the company. The pair proved they had strong profit margins and growth potential; Kevin O'Leary worked out a $250,000 investment for 35% equity, per the Shark Tank Blog. Later, with the help of additional sharks Daymond John and Barbara Corcoran, the Talbott Teas owners sold the brand to Jamba Juice. Although the details for the sale were not disclosed, the "Shark Tank" effect proved successful.

When Talbott Teas appeared on "Shark Tank," the brand had already had its fair share of success. As Bizneske.com stated, the tea company had 20 years of brewing specialty blends. But from the unique flavors to the awards to even the Oprah effect, those accolades pale in comparison to the "Shark Tank" stamp of approval. In the case of Talbott Teas, selling the business to a bigger company proved to be that windfall entrepreneurs thirst to achieve.

In a 2012 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Shane Talbott, one of the brand's founders, stated that he wanted a "tea bar" to rival the Starbucks on every corner. After the company was purchased by Jamba Juice, Talbott retained a position as vice president of innovation where he would focus on "concocting tea blends," which was the starting point of his business. Through the corporate buy-out, the idea was to give the tea company exposure to a wider audience. 

At that time, tea companies such as Teavana were seeing a spike in popularity. Jamba Juice seemingly jumped on the opportunity to expand its portfolio by acquiring a business with a built-in fan base. Although many business success stories are steeped in hard work, a little bit of right timing can bring even more robust results. For Talbott Teas, the tea leaves read the ultimate fortune for all those involved.

After being bought by Jamba Juice in 2012, it seemed that Talbott Teas was set to become a household name. Although Lipton, Tetley, and Celestial Seasonings might fill grocery store shelves, specialty teas have their own audience. Given that the specialty tea blends offer a more nuanced brew, many people gravitate to that offering. But, it appears that Talbott Teas might have lost its flavor over the years. Looking at the company's namesake website, there is no mention of new products, where to purchase the teas, or other information. According to the brand's Facebook page, Jamba Juice sold Talbott Teas to Tadin Herb and Tea.

Tadin Herb and Tea Company has been in business for more than 40 years. The company's offerings are influenced by its Latino heritage and culture. Its tag line asserts that its teas "add flavor to your health." A quick search of the products does not show the Talbott name, but it could be possible that the Tadin purchased the rights to the tea flavor recipes. 

It's possible that Jamba Juice may have looked to divest an underperforming segment of its business. It's unclear whether the original Talbott Teas founders Shane Talbott and Steven Nakisher are still in the tea game, but they reaped the rewards of a "Shark Tank" deal.