Melissa Bartow discovered dates when she moved to New York City to go to NYU. She always loved fruit, so dates became a regular part of her diet. They satisfied her craving for sweets and increased her energy. Little did she know that, before she graduated, she would be CEO of her own company, Wanna Date?, providing date-based spreads, all natural, low calorie, vegan, allergy free and packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, potassium.
She was working at a smoothie and acai bowl shop near campus, and a big perk was all the free fruit. But when she found out the acai was sweetened with lots of processed sugar, and sometimes peanut butter, honey, or Nutella were added to the bowls. Not as health-conscious a shop as she had imagined. If only there was a way to drizzle dates onto the bowls . . . .
Melissa put her trusty food processor to work and blended the first batches of date butter in her dorm room. By one of those flukes of good fortune, she was taking a Crowdfunding Video Production course at the Tisch School of the Arts. By the time she finished the course, she had her product, company name, labels and a video she could use to raise funds. But there was so more that she had to learn. For that she went to the University of Google. She learned such lessons as the need to lower the pH to keep the date spread from being a petri dish for salmonella; how to do marketing research; and how to get approved by the FDA.
Wanna Date? is now selling the first ever date spread in four flavors:
- Cinnamon tastes like a healthy cinnamon roll that’s come out of a blender.
- Chocolate will “break up” that dysfunctional relationship you have with frosting and hazelnut spread.
- Vanilla excites your taste buds—who says “vanilla” stands for “bland.”
- Pumpkin spice flavor that you can enjoy all year.
Wanna Date? is packed with nutrients:
The spread is sweetened with natural sugars that are good for you, unlike processed sugar. Fiber keeps the digestive system running efficiently, and natural carbs keep the energy up. They also keep us feeling full longer, and that means we are not constantly snacking. Bananas have been the “go to” source for potassium for a long, long time, but the date spread has even more! Potassium is a natural electrolyte essential for muscle recovery and maintenance, and it keeps blood pressure levels healthy.
Other vitamins and minerals include vitamins A, K, and B-6 as well as riboflavin, thiamin, calcium, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, niacin, selenium, copper, manganese and organic sulphur.
What the spread doesn’t have is also important: gluten, dairy, nuts, allergens, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol.
There is no limit to the ways in which you can enjoy Wanna Date?:
- Dip apple slices, bananas, pears, strawberries, etc.
- Dip pretzels and crackers.
- Spread on biscuits, muffins, toast, pancakes, waffles and sandwiches.
- Add to smoothies, yogurt, acai bowls, chia pudding, ice cream.
- Add to recipes for breads, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, cinnamon rolls or brownies.
- Use as a frosting substitute or as a topping for ice cream.
- Combine with other spreads, such as peanut butter, almond butter, jam or jelly.
- Be fearless! Spread it on s’mores. Spread it on bacon. Mix it into a salad. Set it on the Thanksgiving table with the cranberry sauce.
- Let your inner child out and eat it right out of the jar!
Wanna Date in the Shark Tank
Melissa Bartow pitched her date-based flavored spreads on Shark Tank Season 11, Episode 11, seeking a $100,000 investment for 20% equity in her company. Her spreads included flavors like chocolate, vanilla, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon, and were marketed as low-calorie, vegan, oil-free, and free of added sugars and cholesterol. At that time, she had achieved $31,000 in sales primarily through wholesale, fairs, and markets.
During the pitch, Daymond John, Lori Greiner, and Kevin O’Leary expressed concerns about the product’s market potential and the company’s early stage, leading them to opt out of the deal. Barbara Corcoran also withdrew, questioning Bartow’s motivation after learning that her father was supporting her financially. Mark Cuban, however, saw potential in the business but suggested focusing on a plain date flavor and modifying packaging and shipping methods. He offered $100,000 for 33% equity, which Bartow accepted. This investment valued the company at $303,030.30.
| Entrepreneur | Melissa Bartow |
| Business | Date-based flavored spreads |
| Ask | $100,000 for 20% equity |
| Result | $100,000 for 33% equity |
| Shark | Mark Cuban |
| Valuation | $303,030.30 |
| Sales at Pitch | $31,000 |
| Post-Show Sales | Over $5 million |
| Retailers | Whole Foods, Amazon, Kroger, Walmart |
Wanna Date After the Shark Tank
After appearing on Shark Tank, Wanna Date? experienced significant growth and development. The company’s founder, Melissa Bartow, successfully closed a deal with Mark Cuban, which played a pivotal role in the company’s expansion. The partnership led to a substantial increase in sales and the introduction of new products, further solidifying the brand’s presence in the market.
Sales and Distribution Expansion: Following the “Shark Tank” episode, Wanna Date? saw a surge in sales and expanded its customer base. The company’s lifetime revenue reached $6 million by August 2023. Their products became available in over 200 Whole Foods stores, more than 100 HomeGoods stores, and were also sold on Amazon. This expansion marked a significant milestone in the company’s growth and market reach.
Product Development and Innovation: In line with Mark Cuban’s advice, Wanna Date? launched the original Date spread product. They also introduced new product lines, such as Date Dough in flavors like Snickerdoodle, Chocolate, and Birthday Cake. These innovations showcased the brand’s commitment to diversifying their product offerings and meeting consumer demand for healthy, versatile food options.
Company’s Current Status: As of 2023, Wanna Date? remains a thriving business. Despite its success, Melissa Bartow shifted roles and became the Studio & Instructor Manager at New York Pilates.
Wanna Date? has demonstrated remarkable growth and resilience since its Shark Tank appearance. The strategic partnership with Mark Cuban, the expansion into major retail stores, and the continuous innovation in product lines have contributed significantly to the brand’s success and market presence.
