Custard Stand

What they asked for: $400,000 in exchange for 10 percent of their business.

What they got: No deal was reached during the show.

“Shark Tank” viewers love a good origin story, and Custard Stand, which started in West Virginia as an ice cream pickup window all the way back in 1991, has that in spades. Husband-and-wife team Dee and Angie Cowger quickly realized that they could move the business beyond frozen treats, and soon added Angie’s family’s secret chili recipe to the menu. The chili proved to be so popular that the Cowgers founded Custard Stand Foods to mass-produce and sell their product.

When the couple brought Custard Stand to the Sharks, their goal was to secure funding to increase their reach from regional to national. Though no Sharks bit, they received very positive feedback on the product and concept, and have still seen great benefits from the appearance. “We ended up with a 20 percent annual sales increase, which we’ve maintained the last two years,” says Angie. And despite the disappointment in the moment, she says doing the show was a great decision. “We enjoyed our ‘Shark Tank’ experience and would do it again. If you believe in yourself and your products and work hard, you can’t let any opportunities pass you by.”