Today’s special guest is Jeremy Carlson. Many of you may already know him from his appearance on Shark Tank. He is the CEO & founder of Crispy Cones. We have already covered Crispy Cones Shark Tank Update separately, so you can check that out.
Recently, I contacted Jeremy for a short email interview. I’m happy to say that he was responsive and answered my questions. I appreciate him for taking the time to provide such thoughtful responses. I hope this short interview will prove to be helpful for our audience. This conversation is a great chance for us to learn more about his journey and get some valuable advice from his experiences.
Introduction and Background
Sara: Please tell me about yourself, your background, education, experience, and position in the company.
Jeremy: Jeremy Carlson is the CEO and founder of Crispy Cones. He attended Utah State University where he studied marketing and business. He grew up as a military brat while his dad served in the United States AirForce. Jeremy married his wife Kaitlyn in 2020 after hiring her to be the social media marketing for Crispy Cones. Kaitlyn attended BYU-Idaho studying communications and is now the Chief Marketing Officer at Crispy Cones.
Pre-Shark Tank Preparation
Sara: Can you describe the journey and preparation that led up to your pitch on Shark Tank?
Jeremy: We applied for Shark Tank in January 2022. We had loved the show and decided that we wanted to apply and see what happens. The producers reached out to us with interest of having us on the show, so it was then months and months of preparation with practicing our pitch and going over every possible question the Sharks might have asked us.
Valuation and Strategy
Sara: How did you decide on the valuation you presented to the sharks, and what was the strategy behind your initial ask?
Jeremy: We looked how the profitability of our business was and what would be attractive and fair for a Shark. We thought that if we came in too high, it would scare off the Sharks, so we decided to come in low and offer a better deal to get them to bit… And barb did!
Post-Shark Tank Impact
Sara: What happened to your company after appearing on Shark Tank in terms of investments and business growth?
Jeremy: Our business has boomed since airing on Shark Tank. We have received hundreds of franchise applications from people all over the world. Our operating stores are doing great and our awareness on social media has increased immensely from having Barbara Corcoran’s partnership associated with us.
Current Valuation
Sara: What is your company’s net worth today?
Jeremy: This is a broad question. If we were to estimate the net worth of the company, we’d say it’s around 30-40 million dollars. Its growing everyday with more store openings and new Franchise Agreements/Area Development Agreements being added to the portfolio.
Additional Investments
Sara: Have you secured any investments from other investors since your appearance on Shark Tank?
Jeremy: No, and we don’t plan on raising any more money. The company is almost debt free, and we plan on growing with cash, no debt and no more investors.
Business Strategy Evolution
Sara: How has your business strategy or operations changed after your appearance on Shark Tank?
Jeremy: When we first appeared on Shark Tank, we had just one franchise location sold. Now we have 58 franchise units under contract and will be opening in phases. Our business strategy is to grow nationally, but with a solid foundation of vendors, suppliers, and support for our franchisees.
Challenges
Sara: What were the biggest challenges you’ve faced since your appearance on Shark Tank, and how have you addressed them?
Jeremy: The biggest challenges were mostly just navigating the new world of franchising that we had never experienced before. There were many things we had to learn along the way such as franchise support, working with suppliers/vendors and making sure not to grow too fast!
Long-term Objectives and Influence
Sara: What are the long-term goals for your company, and how has Shark Tank influenced these goals?
Jeremy: Our long term goals for the company are to have at least 100 units open and operating successfully. Shark Tank has influenced us to dream big and work hard for our goals.
Advice for Future Contestants
Sara: What advice would you give future entrepreneurs considering applying for Shark Tank?
Jeremy: For future entrepreneurs considering applying for Shark Tank, we would advise to make sure you know your business inside and out. That way, when you are presenting, you are confident in what you are saying and how you are answering the questions asked by the Sharks. Also, be authentic to yourself throughout the process and while you are pitching. Most Sharks invest in people more than the product.
Hello everyone, I’m Sara Javed. I’m an IT professional expert with project management and design skills. Besides writing, I love playing video games, designing digital art, and reading books. I love Shark Tank due to its innovative business idea and unpredicted reactions of Sharks. This keeps me glued to the screens to watch the next catchy moment. Read more About me.
