Jesus Ruvalcaba, a graphic artist from Mexico, wanted to create greeting cards that reflect Mexican traditions, humor, and everyday life. He invested $2,500 of his own money to found Paper Tacos, a company that makes fun and colorful greeting cards inspired by Mexican culture.
The company offers a variety of themed cards, such as those featuring tamales, La Llorona, and El Cucuy, which are both unique and relatable. As an entrepreneur, Ruvalcaba appeared on Shark Tank Season 16 to seek investment from the Sharks so he could expand his card business online and increase brand awareness on national TV. Let’s find out if the Sharks invested in his business.
| Company Name | Paper Tacos | |
| Founder | Jesus Ruvalcaba | |
| Founded | 2017 | |
| Product | Mexican themed based greeting cards | |
| Asked For | $120k for 10% equity | |
| Final Deal | $120k for 25% equity | |
| Sharks | Mark Cuban | |
| Episode (Shark Tank USA) | S16 E15 | |
| Air Date | April 4th, 2025 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Salinas, California, USA | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $2.7 Million *estimated | |
| Valuation | $2 Million *estimated | |
All Occasion Cards
- Covers feature modern designs
- Cards measure 5″ x 7.2″
- versatile assorted cards
Who Is The Founder Of Paper Tacos?
Jesus Ruvalcaba, a professional graphic designer, founded the greeting card business Paper Tacos in 2017. According to his LinkedIn profile, he studied graphic design at California State University, Monterey Bay.
After completing his studies, he worked as a graphic designer and product designer for big companies like Discount School Supply, eBay Inc., Hewlett-Packard, and ServiceNow.
Currently, he works full-time at his greeting card company while also serving as a part-time lecturer at California State University, Monterey Bay.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Paper Tacos?
Jesus Ruvalcaba appeared on Shark Tank seeking $120,000 for 10% equity, valuing his company at $1.2 million. He presented his greeting card business, Paper Tacos, which is inspired by Mexican culture. Ruvalcaba, a designer himself, has created 85% of the cards, with freelance artists designing the rest.
He explained that 90% of sales come from retail and wholesale, while only 10% are direct-to-consumer. When Mark asked about store listings, Ruvalcaba said the cards are in 190 boutique shops and 55 regional grocery stores.
Ruvalcaba shared his sales figures: $13,000 in 2022, $68,000 in 2023, and a projected $188,000 for 2024, with current sales at $152,000. The profit margin on $152,000 is $60,000. Each card costs $0.57 to make and sells for $5.50 direct-to-consumer or $2.75 wholesale.
Impressively, Ruvalcaba started the business with just $2,500. He was seeking the Sharks’ expertise and money for marketing.
Daniel Lubetzky approached Kevin O’Leary to join the deal, but Kevin declined due to a conflict of interest with Lovepop, a 3D paper art greeting card business he invested in back in 2015. Daniel then offered $120,000 for 35% equity.
Barbara Corcoran advised Ruvalcaba not to take any deal because the business was in its early stages, and she went out. Lori Greiner thought Daniel’s offer was good and also went out.
Ruvalcaba countered Daniel’s offer with $120,000 for 15% equity, but Daniel refused, wanting 30%. Ruvalcaba then proposed 25%, but while Daniel hesitated, Mark Cuban stepped in and closed the deal at $120,000 for 25% equity.
Breakdown Sharks Offer
Note: Here’s a quick summary of the offers and counteroffers between the Sharks and Jesus Ruvalcaba:
| Sharks | Offers |
| Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
| Barbara Corcoran | No Offer |
| Mark Cuban | $120k for 25% equity |
| Lori Greiner | No Offer |
| Daniel Lubetzky | $120k for 35% equity |
| Founder’s (Countered) | $120k for 25% equity |
| Final Deals | $120k for 25% equity (Mark Cuban) |
Paper Tacos Shark Tank Update
After securing a deal with Mark Cuban on Shark Tank, Jesus Ruvalcaba has plans to expand his business by making Paper Tacos greeting cards available in more stores nationwide. Currently, his cards are listed in over 200 retail stores, including Vallarta Supermarkets, a grocery chain with 60+ locations.
What Is the Net Worth of Paper Tacos?
The greeting card industry is growing steadily. It’s expected to have a growth rate of about 4.5% by 2030. Paper Tacos, the company that appeared on Shark Tank, got a deal based on its sales and the industry’s growth. The deal valued the company at $480,000. Right now, the company’s estimated net worth is about $501,000 for this year.
