Here's What Happened To Daisy Cakes After Shark Tank

Considering 20% of businesses fail after their first two years, and 45% go under within five years of opening (per Investopedia), it's a fair sentiment to wonder whatever happened to some of the aspiring entrepreneurs featured on the business reality TV series "Shark Tank." Clearly, the statistics bear out that some companies won't make it very long. But in this case, the publicity and brand name recognition a person gets from presenting their idea on the show can provide a promotional boost, especially if a shark invests.

One entrepreneur whose business is still thriving after appearing on the program is Kim Nelson, owner of Daisy Cakes, who appeared on Season 2, Episode 6 of "Shark Tank," which originally aired in 2011. 

Shark Barbara Corcoran, invested in the dessert venture, which bakes homemade cakes. Corcoran offered $50,000 in return for a one-dollar royalty per cake until the $50,000 had been repaid.

Daisy Cakes owner Kim Nelson parlayed her "Shark Tank" appearance into even greater success. And more than a decade later, Daisy Cakes is flourishing. As one might expect, her website proudly promotes her affiliation with the show, prominently featuring a photo of Nelson next to the banner "As Seen on Shark Tank." Daisy Cakes has also been featured on "Rachael Ray," the Food Network, "Good Morning America," and other popular programs (per Goldbelly).

The appeal of Daisy Cakes is its authenticity. Nelson prepares traditional Southern-style desserts made with fresh ingredients using recipes passed down by her mother Geraldine and great aunt Daisy. Her specialties are her original four-layer cakes, which come in a variety of flavors including their popular carrot cake, Daisy's lemon cake, and happy birthday cake. She also offers vegan and gluten-free options. For those preferring a portable sweet treat to eat on the go, Nelson crafts minikins, which are smaller portions of cake in a container.

She continues to grow the business and is partnering with Goldbelly, an online gourmet food marketplace, to ship her cakes nationwide. Nelson also wrote a cookbook published in 2018, "Daisy Cakes Bakes: Keepsake Recipes for Southern Layer Cakes, Pies, Cookies, and More: A Baking Book," which features 100 dessert recipes. One might say that for Nelson, success has been pretty sweet.

Daisy Cakes' social media reviews and recommendations have been pretty sweet, touting both Kim Nelson's delectable products and the personable service. One Facebook reviewer gushed, "Daisy Cakes for the win! I have ordered several cakes now through the last few years and I have to say they never disappoint!" Another comment raved about the availability of gluten-free options, "Loved your gluten-free carrot cake. It was so moist and flavorful, which is hard to find in gluten-free."

Another social media user explained that they took the gluten-free and vegan carrot cake to a family dinner, and nobody believed it was actually gluten-free and vegan. Nelson's Instagram followers have chimed in to share their thoughts as well, with one person exclaiming of the peaches and cream cake, "This cake is soooo good! My boss sent it for my birthday! Yummy!" 

Clearly, the small town-founded company is making a big impression across the country.