As seen on ABC's Shark Tank, sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make. When Kobe Harris walked away from Kevin O'Leary's offer, he stood firm in his conviction:
"I know my business better than anybody."
The young founder of Kobee's, an eco-friendly lip care brand, proved that trusting your gut can be worth more than a Shark's investment. His company started with just $200 in his bedroom and was already on track for $4 million in sales by 2024.
Harris appeared on the show seeking $300,000 for 6% of his Las Vegas-based company. His pitch highlighted a simple yet powerful mission:
"I started KOBEE'S with the idea of creating a simpler, cleaner plastic-free alternative because the best plastic is no plastic," he told his Instagram followers.
The company's commitment to personal care and environmental responsibility caught the Sharks' attention, but not quite enough to land a deal on Harris's terms.
Kobe Harris’ journey from the basement to Shark Tank and beyond
Harris's entrepreneurial journey started unusually—with a white lie:
"Since classes were online, I just told my dad, 'I'm still in school,' but really I was just in the basement making lip balms," he admitted.
The Loyola University Chicago student had discovered his calling while researching sustainability and bees for a professor.
With his mother's $200 investment, Harris bought ingredients from Amazon and began experimenting. His breakthrough came when he sold $15,000 worth of lip balm in a single day. That success convinced him to drop out and pursue his business full-time.
Kobee's products stand out for their simplicity. Each item contains four ingredients: beeswax, sunflower seed oil, mango butter, and coconut oil. The company's range, priced from $5 to $42, includes lip balms, lotions, lip scrubs, cuticle butter, and hand salve in compostable packaging.
"We want whoever is supporting KOBEE'S to understand that they are making a difference for the environment," Harris explains on his website.
Elaborating on the same, he noted:
"It doesn't matter how small- whether it's through carrying a water bottle, buying paper straws, or purchasing a single tube of KOBEE'S- it all makes a difference. One small change is all it takes. BEE the difference. BEE the change."
Most Sharks on Shark Tank quickly swam away. Kendra Scott couldn't see how to help, Lori Greiner thought the market was too crowded, and both Daymond John and Mark Cuban passed on the investment. Kevin O'Leary, however, saw potential.
His offer on Shark Tank came close, meeting the numbers Harris wanted: $300,000 for 20% equity, with access to his retail connections. Harris countered with 10%, and O'Leary met him in the middle at 15%. After a moment's thought, Harris's response was simple but firm:
"I won't do that."
Kobe Harris’ success beyond the Shark Tank
Harris's decision to trust his instincts echoed advice from his mother, herself a successful business owner. The choice proved sound—by the time the episode taped, Kobee's was projecting nearly $4 million in sales for 2024, with roughly $750,000 in profit.
The company continues to thrive through Amazon sales and its direct-to-consumer website. But for Harris, success isn't just about numbers. His company supports environmental nonprofits and maintains its commitment to sustainable practices. As Harris showed, knowing your worth means being willing to walk away from a Shark.
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Shark Tank airs every Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with all episodes available on Hulu.
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