What Happened To Creation Nation After Shark Tank?

As a child who dealt with food allergies and dietary limitations while growing up in foster homes, Creation Nation founder and certified sports nutrition specialist Karen Nation knows the importance of a healthy, well-balanced snack. That's why she established Creation Nation in 2014, creating protein snacks that you can make in your own kitchen that are a different option for those who usually opt for traditional protein bars, which she calls "nothing but glorified candy bars" (via Shark Tank Blog).

"So instead of settling for expensive bars and bites that taste blah, are high in sugars, preservatives, and poor quality ingredients, I began making my own instead," Nation writes on Creation Nation's website. The Creation Nation product allows consumers to make their own no-bake protein bars in a variety of flavors by adding a liquid, fat, and, if desired, sweetener to the mix. The snacks can be made vegan, paleo, gluten-free, and keto-friendly (via YouTube).

Nation went before the "Shark Tank" Sharks in Season 12, asking for a $300,000 investment for 12% equity in her brand (via Shark Tank Recap).

When Karen Nation took to the Shark Tank stage to pitch her homemade protein balls and bars business, she stated, "Creation Nation is leading a DIY snack revolution," urging the Sharks to jump on board. Nation told the Sharks that the Creation Nation product was then in about 500 stores nationwide, and the business was "pretty much breaking even" when it came to profits. Nation told the Sharks there was an issue with the company's co-packer, but that had been solved. She stumbled when asked about profits, and eventually walked away without a deal (via YouTube).

Today, according to Creation Nation's website, the product is still on the market in six flavors: Oatmeal Cocoa Bliss and Coconut Vanilla Bliss cookie mixes, Whey Hip Chocolate Chip and Peas Love & Cocoa protein bar mixes, and Cocoa for Coconuts and Oat Yes Chocolate Chip energy bite mixes. Creation Nation is sold in stores in California, Arizona, Texas, and Michigan, as well as on Amazon. Per Instagram, Creation Nation products are available at some Los Angeles area Costcos.

After appearing on the show, in 2016, Creation Nation won the Best New Category Development prize in the Sports & Performance Nutrition Awards. And, turns out, Karen Nation didn't end up needing any money from the Sharks, as, according to The Cinemaholic, an anonymous investor gave $500,000 to Creation Nation in 2018, after which the product became more prominent online and in health food stores, including Thrive Market.

In late 2018, Creation Nation won the NOSH Live Pitch Slam 5 product competition, during which, according to Instagram, Pete Speranza, formerly of General Mills, said the company's "creativity and customization is second to none." The product also gained traction when it was featured on a Good Morning America Deals and Steals segment.

Karen Nation frequently takes to Creation Nation's Instagram account to share new recipes, such as ones for trail mix protein balls, iced mocha protein bars, and even gingerbread cookies to make your holidays brighter and healthier. Fans share their thoughts in the comments of the posts, such as @thewritereats who wrote, "What an easy way to make healthy treats" and @cocoa.lina who chimed in, "Mmm, so much yumminess." Nation has also shared her past struggles with getting meals through the foster care system. In a bid to help kids who went through similar difficulties, her company teamed with Together We Rise in 2021, donating a portion of Creation Nation's proceeds during the back-to-school season.