Erika and Keeley were college roommates. They loved peanut butter. One day, they ran out. They had peanuts and a food processor. They decided to make their own. They added fun flavors like cinnamon raisin and chocolate coconut. Their friends loved it. They wanted more. Erika and Keeley saw a chance to start a business. They named it Wild Squirrel Nut Butter. They began selling at farmers’ markets and online.
They wanted to grow bigger. They needed help. They went on a TV show called Shark Tank. They hoped to get an investment to expand their business. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out the Wild Squirrel Nut Butter update!
Wild Squirrel Nut Butter Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Keeley Tillotson and Erika Welsh went on Shark Tank asking for $50,000 for 10% of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $500,000. They did not make a deal with any Shark. The episode was aired on May 4, 2012. The company rebranded as Wild Friends Foods and grew into a major nut butter brand. Using the viral/heavy traction method, the current net worth of Wild Friends Foods is estimated to be around $10–12 million in 2025.
After appearing on Shark Tank Erika and Keeley worked hard. They changed the name to Wild Friends. This was because of a name conflict with another company. They expanded their product line. They added new flavors and types of nut butter. They got their products into many stores across the country. They raised money from investors to help grow the business.
They continued to innovate and introduce new products. They built a loyal customer base. They faced challenges but remained committed to their vision. They focused on creating healthy and delicious products. They also emphasized simple, friendly ingredients. They aimed to make food that people could trust and enjoy.
Erika and Keeley asked for $50,000 for 10% of their company. Barbara Corcoran offered them $50,000 for 40% equity. They accepted the offer on the show. However, after the show, the deal did not go through. They decided to continue on their own. They used the exposure from the show to grow their business. They launched a successful Kickstarter campaign.
They raised over $10,000. This helped them produce more products and reach more customers. They continued to build their brand without the investment from Shark Tank.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
| Barbara Corcoran | 50k for 40% equity | N/A | Yes |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Daymond John | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Wild Squirrel Nut Butter Shark Tank pitch
Erika and Keeley met in high school. They became close friends. They decided to be roommates at the University of Oregon. Erika studied environmental studies. Keeley studied journalism. They both loved peanut butter. It was a staple in their diet. One day, they ran out of peanut butter. They had a food processor and some peanuts. They decided to make their own. They experimented with different flavors.
They added ingredients like coconut, cinnamon, chocolate, raisins and honey. They shared their creations with friends. The feedback was positive. People wanted to buy their peanut butter. They saw an opportunity. They started making more. They sold it at farmers’ markets and online. They balanced their studies with their new business. It was challenging but exciting. They learned as they went.
They were passionate about their product. They believed in its potential. They decided to pursue it full-time. They left college to focus on their business. It was a big decision. They were determined to make it work.
Erika and Keeley appeared on Shark Tank in 2012. They were nervous but excited. They shared their story with the Sharks. They explained how they started making peanut butter. They talked about their unique flavors. They gave samples to the Sharks. The Sharks liked the taste. Erika and Keeley explained their sales. They had made $14,000 in sales. They had a profit of $7,000.
They sold their products at farmers’ markets and online. They were also in some local stores. They wanted $50,000 for 10% of their company. They planned to use the money to increase production. They also wanted to expand their distribution. They believed the investment would help them grow. They were passionate and enthusiastic. They hoped the Sharks would see the potential in their business.
The Sharks had many questions. They wanted to know more about the business. They asked about the cost of making the peanut butter. Erika and Keeley said it costs $3 to make one jar. They sold each jar to stores for $4. The stores sold them for $5.99. The Sharks asked about their time commitment. Erika and Keeley were still in college. The Sharks wondered if they could manage both.
Erika and Keeley said they were ready to focus on the business full-time. They were willing to leave college to pursue it. The Sharks asked about the market. There were many peanut butter brands. They wanted to know how Wild Squirrel was different. Erika and Keeley talked about their unique flavors. They said their peanut butter was special. People liked it because it was different.
The Sharks also asked about their plans for growth. Erika and Keeley wanted to expand their production. They also wanted to get their products into more stores. They believed there was a big market for their products. They were confident in their ability to grow the business.
The Sharks had mixed reactions. Daymond John liked the product. But he didn’t know much about the food industry. He decided not to invest. Kevin O’Leary thought the company was too new. He didn’t agree with the valuation. He also decided not to invest. Robert Herjavec was concerned. He thought running a business and attending college was too much. He didn’t invest either.
Mark Cuban agreed with Robert. He thought it was too much work for them. He decided not to invest. Barbara Corcoran liked Erika and Keeley. She saw potential in them. She offered $50,000 for 40% of the company. Erika and Keeley thought about it. They tried to negotiate. They asked if Barbara would take 35%. Barbara said no. She stayed firm at 40%. Erika and Keeley agreed. They made a deal with Barbara. They were happy to have her support.
What Went Wrong With Wild Squirrel Nut Butter On Shark Tank?
Some Sharks didn’t invest. They had reasons. Daymond John didn’t know the food business well. He didn’t want to invest in something he didn’t understand. Kevin O’Leary thought the company was too new. He didn’t agree with how they valued it. Robert Herjavec was worried. He thought Erika and Keeley couldn’t handle both college and the business. Mark Cuban agreed with Robert. He thought it was too much work for them. These were the reasons they didn’t invest.
Product Availability
Wild Friends made a different nut butter. They had fun flavors. They used simple ingredients. They didn’t add extra stuff. People could buy their products in many stores. Stores like Whole Foods and Costco sold them. They also sold it on their website. The jars were usually 16 ounces. They cost around $10 to $13. People liked that the nut butters were natural. They liked the unique flavors too.
Conclusion
Erika and Keeley started with a simple idea. They loved peanut butter. They made their own with fun flavors. They turned this into a business. They went on Shark Tank. They got a deal. But they chose to run the business alone. They worked hard. They grew their company. They changed the name to Wild Friends. They sold their products in many stores. Their story shows that with hard work, simple ideas can grow big.

Hi, I’m Laiba Khurram, a BBA student specializing in Marketing at FAST NUCES ISB. My background includes experience in finance, marketing, and event coordination. My skills include teamwork, time management, and Microsoft tools. Watching Shark Tank has always inspired me, as I admire the innovative pitches and entrepreneurial spirit showcased on the show. This passion drives my approach to finding creative solutions and understanding market dynamics. Read more About me.








