Jess Sanchez-McClary, founder and CEO of Detroit-based McClary Bros., which makes artisanal cocktail mixes using unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, stepped before the sharks on ABC's "Shark Tank," with lots of enthusiasm in a show that aired Friday night.
She left with not so much enthusiasm, at least when it came to squeezing some cash out of the sharks. They turned her down. The show was actually filmed in June, but she wasn't allowed to disclose the outcome.
Sanchez-McClary had asked the sharks for a $100,000 investment in return for 15 percent interest in her business. She told them the company was founded in 2012 and had $305,000 in sales.
Sanchez-McClary passed around her product to the sharks, which included actor Ashton Kutcher.
Some sharks like Laurie Greiner, dubbed the "The Queen of QVC," tried one beverage and said, "that's very good." Some of the beverages didn't go over so well and some sharks winced after taking a sip.
Shark Mark Cuban said his wife drank vinegar everyday, and was complimentary about the brand and the packaging, but in the end, he said: "Unlike my wife, I"m not a fan of vinegar drinks. So I'm out."
Kevin O'Leary, who fancies himself as the curmudgeon on the show (some might say ass), asked some very skeptical questions, prompting Ashton Kutcher to say to him:
"Here's the thing. You're belittling people and that's not OK."
"I'm asking a question and I want an answer," O'Leary responded defensively.
Kutcher had some good things to say about the business, but in the end said Sanchez-McClury needed a broader vision.
After she walked away from the sharks, Sanchez-McClary appeared disappointed, but not defeated, saying it will just take longer to grow than she would like it to.
Whatever the case, Crain's Detroit Business reported that she her company began shipping product to all 120 Meijer stores this past week.
So, take that sharks.
