Zoobean is a children’s book subscription service created by Felix Lloyd and Jordan Lloyd Bookey. They aimed to make book shopping more personalized. Their company offered a unique service where users could pick books for children based on specific needs. These needs included filters like books featuring interracial families or books for little girls who were not interested in the typical pink princess themes.
They made it easier for parents and caregivers to find books that matched children’s personal interests and backgrounds. Felix and Jordan created Zoobean because they saw a need for more tailored children’s books. In this episode of Shark Tank, they pitched their idea to the Sharks, hoping for $250,000 in exchange for 15% equity in the company. Will the entrepreneur get a deal on Shark Tank? Check out the Packback update!
Zoobean (Beanstack) Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Jordan Lloyd Bookey and Felix Lloyd went on Shark Tank asking for $250,000 for 15% of their company. This meant they thought their business was worth $1,666,667. They made a deal with Mark Cuban for $250,000 for 25%, lowering the valuation to $1,000,000. The episode was aired on April 25, 2014. The company rebranded as Beanstack and became a leading reading platform for schools and libraries. Using the viral/heavy traction method, the current net worth of Zoobean (Beanstack) is estimated to be around $25–30 million in 2025.
After the episode aired, Zoobean experienced success. The company is still in business. By 2022, it had grown to make $2.4 million in revenue. The technology behind the platform evolved too. The original service was rebranded as Beanstack.
This change helped them adapt to the market. Now Beanstack has 8.9 million young readers. The platform is used by over 2400 library systems and 3,000 schools. Zoobean’s journey shows how a good idea can grow when it meets a real need.
Yes Zoobean got a deal on Shark Tank. Felix and Jordan asked for $250,000 in exchange for 15% equity in their company. However, after some negotiation, Mark Cuban agreed to invest $250,000 in exchange for 30% equity. Felix was able to convince him to lower the offer to 25%. This deal allowed them to keep a larger share of the company while still receiving the investment they needed to grow.
| Shark(s) Name | Offer & Demand | Counter Offer | Accepted? |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | N/A | N/A |
| Mark Cuban | $250,000 for 30% equity. | $250,000 for 25% equity. | Yes |
Zoobean (Beanstack) Shark Tank pitch
Felix and Jordan Lloyd Bookey have a strong enthusiasm for learning and literature. Felix used to be a teacher and Jordan was also an educator. Both were convinced of the ability of books to influence young minds. Their motivation for Zoobean arose from their personal experiences as parents. They observed the difficulty in locating books that reflected their children’s varied backgrounds and interests.
They aimed to simplify the process for other parents in locating books that were significant to their children. The difficulty lies in the lack of online platforms providing personalized book selections. During that period, the majority of book services provided titles in wide-ranging categories. Felix and Jordan aimed to provide a more personalized experience. Their aim was to simplify the process of buying children’s books for parents.
However, building the platform proved to be challenging. They encountered both technical and financial difficulties. Creating the website and designing the filters required significant time and effort. Initially, they faced challenges in gaining customers. They invested heavily in marketing efforts to encourage individuals to register for their service. However, in spite of this obstacle, they continued to move ahead.
They understood that what they were providing held significance. They thought that Zoobean could have a positive impact on children all around.
When Felix and Jordan showcased their concept on Shark Tank they expressed it clearly. They described how their subscription service operated. Parents might sign up for a tailored book box for their kids. The main characteristic was the filters. The filters enabled parents to choose books that suited their child’s interests and backgrounds. This was a service not provided by other booksellers.
Felix and Jordan presented to the Sharks how Zoobean could transform how families select books. They also provided their figures to the Sharks. At that time, there were just 85 subscribers. They indicated that their cost to acquire a customer was approximately $6 each. This indicated that the company possessed potential but required funding to expand. They requested $250,000 in return for 15% ownership of their business.
They were convinced that the funds would assist them in expanding and enhancing the platform. Nonetheless, the Sharks had worries. They were interested in learning additional details about the company’s potential for growth. They inquired about the service’s long-term profitability as well. In spite of these worries, Felix and Jordan felt assured that their product would thrive.
The Sharks posed numerous inquiries to Felix and Jordan. They were curious about how Zoobean would differentiate itself in a market led by major players such as Amazon. Lori Greiner was the one who spoke first. She noted that Amazon had already been selling books online. She mentioned that the sole distinction was that Zoobean’s filters were more precise. She believed that Amazon could effortlessly incorporate those filters into its platform.
Due to this, she believed Zoobean did not provide a distinctive enough product to thrive. Barbara Corcoran concurred with Lori. She noted that she had faced difficulties in locating books on adoption for her adopted daughter. Although she grasped the concept, she still believed that the idea lacked the strength to rival major firms such as Amazon. Robert Herjavec expressed worries as well. He did not find a reason for the product.
He believed there were already plenty of book-selling platforms available and doubted that Zoobean would differentiate itself. Kevin O’Leary was more worried about financial matters. He was concerned about the expense the company incurred for obtaining each customer. He believed that the expenses of acquiring customers might reduce the company’s revenue. He believed that Zoobean was not a wise investment at that moment.
Despite the concerns from some of the Sharks Mark Cuban saw potential in Zoobean. He liked the concept and believed it could be successful. Mark Cuban offered to invest $250,000 for 30% equity in the company. Felix and Jordan tried to negotiate the deal. They argued that 30% was too much and asked if Mark would lower his offer to 25%. After some back and forth Mark agreed to the new terms. The deal was finalized.
Zoobean received the investment it needed to grow its platform. Mark Cuban’s support gave them the boost they needed to scale. With his help, they were able to improve their technology and attract more subscribers.
What Went Wrong With Zoobean On Shark Tank?
Not all the Sharks saw the potential in Zoobean. Lori Greiner felt that the product was not unique enough to compete with large companies like Amazon. She did not think that the filters offered by Zoobean would be enough to set them apart. Barbara Corcoran agreed with Lori’s assessment. She said she understood the idea but still felt it wasn’t strong enough. Robert Herjavec was the next to drop out.
He felt that the product did not fill a strong enough need in the market. Kevin O’Leary was concerned about the cost of customer acquisition. He felt that the company would not be able to make enough profit with the current customer acquisition costs. All of these reasons led the Sharks to back out, except for Mark Cuban. He was the only one who saw the potential in Zoobean and decided to invest.
Product Availability
Zoobean’s product is now available through its rebranded platform, Beanstack. Beanstack is a subscription service that offers personalized book boxes for children. The platform offers books based on unique filters like interests and backgrounds. Beanstack is available to families across the United States. It can be accessed online through their website. Beanstack is also used by thousands of schools and libraries.
It has become a popular tool for educators. Schools and libraries use Beanstack to track reading progress for young readers. The service has grown to become an important part of reading education. Beanstack’s prices vary depending on the subscription plan. Parents can choose from different options based on how many books they want each month. The website offers more details on pricing and subscription plans.
Conclusion
Zoobean’s journey on Shark Tank was a rollercoaster. The couple faced a lot of challenges but they were able to secure a deal. Mark Cuban’s investment helped them grow their business. Today the company is still in business and continues to innovate. Their new platform Beanstack has become a popular tool in schools and libraries.
Hey there, I’m Fatima Muhammad, an International Relations student, with a focus on the strategic dynamics of global relations, One of my favorite shows is Shark Tank. I love it because it showcases the creativity, determination, and strategic thinking of entrepreneurs, which I find inspiring. The show also teaches valuable lessons about innovation, business dynamics, and the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges. Read more About me.
