Loree Sandler and Bob Michelson appeared on Shark Tank Season 15, Episode 17, seeking $250,000 for 10% equity in their company, Let Them Eat Candles, which creates edible chocolate candles.
The idea for the business came to Loree during her son’s 12th birthday party, when she thought it would be great if birthday candles could be both placed in a cake and eaten afterward.
Loree left her career as an architect to pursue this idea, studying at Chicago’s French Pastry School and the Chocolate Academy to learn how to make chocolate candles. After creating many prototypes and testing them, she developed the final product.
She also launched a website and improved the packaging to bring the product to market. Since January 2012, the company has sold 1.5 million candles.
| Company Name | Let Them Eat Candles | |
| Founder | Loree Sandler | |
| Founded | 2012 | |
| Product | Edible Chocolate Candles | |
| Asked For | $250k for 10% equity | |
| Final Deal | $125k in Cash + $125k as a loan for 18% equity | |
| Shark |  Lori Greiner | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S15 E17 | |
| Air Date | March 8th, 2024 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Winnetka, Illinois, USA | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $1M *estimated | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
Another Shark Tank Pitch
Who Is The Founder Of Let Them Eat Candles?
The founder and CEO of Let Them Eat Candles is Loree Sandler. She holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois Chicago.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Let Them Eat Candles?
Loree Sandler and Bob Michaelson pitched their company, Let Them Eat Candles, on Shark Tank, seeking $250,000 for 10% equity, valuing the company at $2.5 million. Each edible candle is priced between $2.99 and $3.99, with a production cost of $0.85, a wholesale price of $1.69, and direct-to-consumer sales at $3.99.
The company has achieved lifetime sales of $2.3 million, with $675,000 in sales for 2022, and they are aiming for $1 million in sales for 2023. They’ve received strong re-orders from Publix retail stores and are currently testing their product at Kroger and Albertsons.
During the pitch, Kevin O’Leary opted out, citing the slow potential for profit. Robert Herjavec also declined, noting the competition in the market. Barbara Corcoran offered $250,000 for 25% equity.
Lori Greiner proposed $125,000 in cash and $125,000 as a loan for 20% equity. After some negotiation, Loree and Bob accepted Lori’s counteroffer of $250,000 for 18% equity.
Sharks Offers list!
| Sharks | Offers |
|---|---|
 Robert Herjavec | No Offer |
 Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
 Mark Cuban | No Offer |
 Barbara Corcoran | $250k for 25% equity |
| Lori Greiner | $125k in Cash + $125k as a loan for 20% equity (#1) $125k in Cash + $125k as a loan for 18% equity (#2) |
| Founder’s (Countered) | 15% equity for both Barbara and Lori. |
| Final Deals | $125k in Cash + $125k as a loan for 18% equity |
Let Them Eat Candles Shark Tank Update
Loree Sandler and Bob Michelson delivered a strong presentation on Shark Tank, though Loree is the true owner of the business. They sought the sharks’ help to expand their edible chocolate candles into more big-box retail stores.
What Is Let Them Eat Candles’s Net Worth?
Let Them Eat Candles has an estimated net worth of $0.6 million. While there were initially few businesses selling edible candles, the market has since become more competitive, with many companies offering both edible candles and a variety of cakes.
Annual Revenue by Years
Note: This report is based on our research and data so far. In this, we are only estimating the annual revenue.
| Years | Annual Revenue |
| 2024 | *estimated |
| 2023 | $1M *estimated |
| 2012-22 | $2.3M *estimated |
Funding Reports to Date!
| Years | Funding Amount | Investor |
| 2023 | $250k | Lori Greiner |
Given the competition, sustaining this business will require the right strategy, and the sharks could potentially help Loree grow and scale it.
The business is based in Winnetka, Illinois, United States, with approximately two employees.
Yes, Let Them Eat Candles is still in business as of March 2024.
