"A dream come true" - When Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran's unique offer to Saavy Naturals fell through off-camera

Hugo Saavedra and his wife, Debra, introduced their company, Saavy Naturals, to the world on Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of wealthy investors. Years later, after selling the brand to Arcadia Biosciences in 2021, they fought to reclaim it.

Hugo wrote in a 2023 Facebook post, sharing a link to an Indiegogo campaign, urging supporters to help them grow:

"It's a dream come true — We have Saavy back in our hands!"

The Saavedras, both professional chefs, created something unusual, a skincare line so natural that you could eat it. Their pitch to the Sharks highlighted plant-based, food-grade bath and body products made in small batches right in their kitchen.

The concept was simple yet revolutionary, if skin absorbs what we put on it, shouldn't those ingredients be safe enough to eat?

This culinary approach to skincare caught the Sharks' attention in 2015, particularly Barbara Corcoran, who offered them a deal that seemed perfect on camera. But like many Shark Tank handshakes, what happened after the cameras stopped rolling tells a different story.

What happened during Saavy Naturals’ Shark Tank pitch?

Hugo and Debra had a very clear, well thought out objective when they appeared on Shark Tank in November 2015, to raise $200,000 for a 10% stake in their business.

Their valuation of $2 million raised some eyebrows, but their sales numbers were able to back their confidence. The couple proudly shared with the Sharks, noting that much of their revenue came through a partnership with Whole Foods:

"We reached $750,000 in sales last year"

Their impressive sales, combined with their genuine passion and obvious marital harmony, made them instantly likable to both the Sharks and viewers at home.

The Saavedras were determined not to repeat past mistakes.

"We've owned businesses before, but we sold too much equity," Hugo explained during their pitch.

This time, keeping majority ownership was non-negotiable.

Not all Sharks were biting. Kevin O'Leary, known for his blunt assessments, couldn't justify the $2 million valuation. Mark Cuban cited a conflict with his existing investment in Simple Sugars, and Lori Greiner also declined to make an offer.

Barbara Corcoran, however, saw potential. She crafted a creative deal: $100,000 for 40% of the company, plus another $100,000 for purchase orders. This structure would allow the Saavedras to maintain majority ownership while still getting the capital they needed.

On camera, it looked like the perfect match. The couple who turned culinary skills into skincare success found a Shark willing to respect their ownership concerns while providing financial support.

The handshake that ended their segment proved to be just for show. Like roughly 30% of deals made on Shark Tank, the agreement between Corcoran and the Saavedras fell apart during the more detailed negotiations that followed the filming.

Neither party has publicly shared exactly why the deal collapsed. Whatever the reason, the Saavedras pressed forward without Shark backing, proving that sometimes the real value of Shark Tank isn't the investment but the exposure.

What happened to Saavy Naturals after its Shark Tank appearance?

Despite losing Corcoran's investment, Saavy Naturals thrived in the post-Shark Tank spotlight. They opened a pop-up store in Pacific City, California, allowing customers to experience—and taste—their products firsthand.

Though the store closed in 2016, their e-commerce business continued to grow through their website and Amazon.

The company's adaptability became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when they pivoted to producing hand sanitizers made with certified organic, non-GMO alcohol. By 2018, their products had reached Walmart shelves, and Forbes recognized them among the beauty industry's top innovators.

According to their website, Saavy Naturals products remain "plant-based, cruelty-free, soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO" - staying true to the founders' original vision.

In a surprising twist, the Saavedras sold Saavy Naturals to Arcadia Biosciences in June 2021 for an undisclosed amount.

But the separation proved short-lived. By 2023, they had reacquired their brand and launched a fundraising campaign to support its growth, a big huzzah to them.

The Indiegogo campaign sought $125,000 but raised only $560 before closing. Undeterred, the couple shifted strategy, asking supporters to simply "buy our products and gift packages to support us," as they explained in their campaign video.

This approach seems to have worked. Customer testimonials reveal deep loyalty to the brand. By 2025, Saavy Naturals continues operations under the Saavedras' leadership, demonstrating the resilience of both the founders and their food-grade skincare concept.

Their journey from farmer's markets to Shark Tank to independent success shows that sometimes the best ingredient in business isn't investment capital, but determination.

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Shark Tank airs on ABC every Friday at 8 PM ET, with streaming available on Hulu.