Overview
Souper Cubes is a company that was founded by Jake and Michelle Sendowski to provide a solution to the problem of food waste caused by improper storage of leftover food in the freezer.
The company produces portioned silicone trays that are designed to store food in the freezer in an organized way. The trays come in different portion sizes and are fitted with lids to prevent freezer burn.
The founders of Souper Cubes appeared on Shark Tank and got a deal with Lori Greiner.
As of 2024, Souper Cubes is worth $8 million.
Shark Tank Pitch
Jake and Michelle appeared on season 12 of Shark Tank, asking for $400,000 in return for 5% equity.
All the Sharks liked the product, but their interest was heightened when the entrepreneurs began talking about sales. Shortly a fight broke out among the Sharks for a piece of the business. Kevin O’Leary was the first to make an offer, but Barbara Corcoran challenged him to a duel.
However, the two were silenced when Lori Greiner pulled out her “golden ticket,” which she only gives out once per season. Lori offered $400,000 for 5%, and the deal was accepted.
Sales After Shark Tank
Souper Cubes made a whopping $938,000 in revenue 24 hours after its Shark Tank episode aired.
The company had to stop taking orders as inventory sold out before the latest shipment arrived at the warehouse. The silicone trays can be purchased online on Amazon and SouperCubes.com.
They’re now available in stores, including Sur La Table, Bed Bath & Beyond, Williams-Sonoma, and Crate & Barrel. Improving retail sales is key to driving growth as they rely heavily on Amazon for a majority of their revenue.
Souper Cubes is thriving and has worldwide distribution.
Recently they released more options and sizes to cater to customer demand. Souper Cubes have a breast milk freezing tray, cookie tray, and stoneware baking dish.
Its annual revenue is around $3 million, and lifetime sales are $14 million. The patents are still pending, so hopefully, other companies won’t create knock-off versions.
Once again, Lori has invested in another big winner and is one of the most successful investors on the show.
The Founders
Jake and Michelle Sendowski are both highly educated individuals who hail from Los Angeles.
Jake has a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Caltech, and Michelle has a master’s degree in education from UCLA.
Jake started his career as a researcher at Intel Security and later worked as a product manager at Vectra AI.
Michelle worked as a staff member at UC Berkeley and later became a teacher at Mastery Charter Schools. She also worked at Stanford University, Seeds of Peace, and UCLA.
Founding Souper Cubes
The idea for Souper Cubes came about when Michelle wanted a more organized way to store soup in the freezer. She used ice cube trays, but the portions were not big enough.
Jake then suggested they make their own trays.
In 2017, Souper Cubes were introduced to the market. The founders used their own money to fund the startup and worked with various partners to get distribution.
The products became available in all Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma US locations. With this, they made $940,000 in revenue for 2019.
Lessons From Souper Cubes’ Success
Based on the Shark Tank episode about Souper Cubes, here are three practical tips for aspiring young entrepreneurs:
1. Focus on solving real problems
Souper Cubes identified a common issue with storing leftovers efficiently and safely. They addressed the problems of using plastic bags and glass containers that are either messy or prone to breaking.
Entrepreneurs should aim to solve genuine problems that people face in their daily lives, making their products or services more valuable and marketable.
2. Leverage customer advocacy and social media
The success of Souper Cubes was partly driven by word of mouth and customer advocacy on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Entrepreneurs should encourage their satisfied customers to share their experiences on social media. This can create a community of passionate advocates who can help spread the word about their products organically.
3. Seek mentorship and be open to guidance
Despite their success, the founders of Souper Cubes sought mentorship from the Sharks to help them navigate bigger decisions and potential opportunities.
Aspiring entrepreneurs should recognize the value of seeking advice from experienced mentors. This can provide valuable insights and guidance, helping them make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.
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