BarBees Bartending, a mobile cocktail class founded by Jess Blakley and Willow Sprague, aired on the 15th season of Shark Tank USA in 2024. The founders were seeking $75,000 for 10% equity for their business. However, they secured a deal with Daniel Lubetzky, $75,000 for 20% equity. In this article, we will explore BarBees Bartending Net Worth in 2024, its Shark Tank pitch summary, and more.
BarBees Bartending Net Worth
As of 2024, BarBees Bartending Net Worth is $500,000, and its annual revenue was $400,000 in 2023.
| Net worth | $500,000 *estimated |
| Annual Sales Revenue | $400,000 (2023) |
| Profits | Not available |
| Lifetime sales | $1 million (2024) |
| Employees | 11-50 employees |
BarBees Bartending Net Worth Timeline
| Net Worth 2024 | $500,000 |
| Net Worth 2023 | $450,000 |
| Net Worth 2022 | $400,000 |
Shark Tank BarBees Bartending Update from Season 15
Jess Blakley and Willow Sprague walked into Shark Tank, holding cocktail shakers and saying, “It’s time to shake things up.” There, they introduced themselves as best friends and cocktail enthusiasts. Their business, BarBees Bartending, offered a fresh way to celebrate at events with custom cocktail-making classes.
The founders said customers could book their service there, and an instructor would come directly to their location to host the class. The pair further explained that most bookings came from birthday parties, corporate events, and bachelorette parties. They treated the sharks to some of their signature cocktails to end their pitch. Also, the founders asked $75,000 for 10% equity, valuing the company at $750,000.
Daniel Lubetzky quickly showed interest in the pitch, recognizing the business as valuable for people working long hours. At that moment, Willow agreed with him and explained that many people don’t have time to plan events, so they said they started this company because of it. She further mentioned that BarBees Bartending began as an event bartending service in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, they focused on weddings in Nashville, Tennessee.
Kevin O’Leary asked if Willow and Jess were professional bartenders. There, Willow replied that they started as a duo, but now the company has grown to include 25 instructors. Kevin then asked about their sales numbers. At that moment, Willow shared that BarBees Bartending made $19,000 in 2019 as a bartending service.
Also, during the 2020 pandemic, they shifted to virtual classes and earned $38,000. In 2021, as the pandemic eased, they moved to a hybrid model with virtual and in-person courses, generating $76,000 in revenue.
Moreover, In 2022, BarBees Bartending expanded to four cities and made just $190,000 in revenue. During the current year of filming, they expect to finish the year with $400,000 in sales. The company has also grown to serve seven cities.
Next, Lori asked what the company was seeking from the sharks. Willow shared her growth plans and requested their guidance. Moreover, she explained that $20,000 would go toward setting up an automated booking system, while another $20,000 would improve the onboarding process for bringing in more instructors. The remaining funds would be for expansion, with $5,000 allocated for each city over six months. Therefore, in this plan, the founders hoped to get support from the Sharks.
Mark Cuban praised the founders, saying they are true entrepreneurs and have done a great job. However, he believed the business would be too difficult to scale, so he decided not to invest. Daymond John liked the concept but mentioned that he didn’t want to get involved in the service industry, so he also chose to pass on the opportunity. Kevin O’Leary admired Jess and Willow but, as a wine enthusiast, couldn’t support a business centered around mixed drinks, so he also decided not to invest.
Guest shark Daniel Lubetzky saw potential of the business and offered $75,000 for 20% equity, saying his existing systems could help BarBees grow. Lori Greiner agreed with him, calling Daniel’s offer better than she could provide, so she stepped back, encouraging them to take his deal.
However, Willow countered Daniel’s offer, and he offered $75,000 for 15% equity, but Daniel warned he might raise his initial offer to 25%. Then, she offered $115,000 for 20%, but Daniel didn’t change his stance. Ultimately, they accepted Daniel’s original offer, valuing the company at $375,000, and left Shark Tank with a deal.
| Company Name | BarBees Bartending |
| Founders | Jess Blakley and Willow Sprague |
| Business | Mobile cocktail class |
| Episode | Season 15, Episode 12 |
| Asked Deal | $75,000 for 10% equity |
| Final Deal | $75,000 for 20% equity |
| Shark | Daniel Lubetzky |
| Business Status | In Business |
| Company Website | Visit Website |
| Headquarter | Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
Summary of the Sharks’ Deal List!
| Shark | Offer | Counteroffer |
| Daniel Lubetzky | $75,000 for 20% equity (Accepted Deal) | 01 – $75,000 for 15% equity 02 – $115,000 for 20% equity |
| Mark Cuban | No | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | No | N/A |
| Lori Grinear | No | N/A |
| Daymond John | No | N/A |
What Happened to BarBees Bartending after Shark Tank?
As of October 2024, the BarBees Bartending is still in business. Since appearing on the show, the company has started to expand significantly. They are now available in ten cities and offer classes nationwide. Daniel has helped Willow and Jess achieve some of their initial business goals.
Since their appearance on Shark Tank, they have received much recognition, leading to a significant increase in demand and popularity. BarBees Bartending’s dedication to offering a unique and fun service fuels its success nationwide. The company provides various booking options to suit different events and preferences. Among them, Customers can book cocktail classes for corporate gatherings, bachelorette parties, and other special occasions, customizing the experience to fit the desired vibe.
Their website shows they also book virtual classes, making it possible for anyone worldwide to join. Each class lasts either 60 or 90 minutes, during which the group learns to make 2 or 3 cocktails, guided by an instructor. You can easily book a class on the BarBees Bartending website or through various third-party agencies. Prices depend on the type of session and the size of the group.
For example, a bachelorette party costs $60 per person, while a session featuring 2 or 3 cocktails costs $80 per person. A unique date night experience costs $100 per person and includes 30 minutes of instruction. Also, virtual gatherings are priced at $200 for a 45-minute session.
BarBees Bartending Founders
Jess Blakley and Willow Sprague are the founders of BarBees Bartending, which was started in 2019. Before starting their own business, Jess worked as a Healthcare Policy Analyst, and Willow spent over four years at Cadence Leadership & Communications.
Following different academic paths, they became close friends after attending Belmont University from 2016 to 2019. There, Willow earned her degree in International Business in 2018. During Jess’s final year of studying economics and political science, Willow called her with the idea of starting a bartending business, and later, they decided to launch it together.
BarBees Bartending Achievements and Awards
| Year | Achievements and Awards |
| 2023 | The owners won the Industry Impact Award at the Belmont Entrepreneur Awards for their business. |
| 2024 | The company was featured on Shark Tank Season 15 and got the deal from Daniel Lubetzky |
Conclusion
Shark Tank is a TV show showcasing different business ideas, helping them succeed. BarBees Bartending was one of the ventures featured on the show. They made a deal with Daniel Lubetzky, showing that success is possible with the right idea and execution. Now, we eagerly await to see how their success story unfolds in the future.
Before you leave, check out the other company updates in Season 15, Episode 12.
