Many convenience stores offer unhealthy foods like quarter water, cinnamon buns, and ice cream, leading to various health issues. Jamie Michael Hemmings and Jilea Hemmings faced a personal challenge when their oldest son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Motivated to ensure a healthier future for the coming generations, they started Nourish + Bloom Market, a grocery store with robotic delivery.
To expand their business and introduce better features, they appeared on Shark Tank Season 15 Episode 18, seeking funding from the Sharks. Did any of the Sharks invest in their business? Let’s find out.
| Company Name | Nourish + Bloom Market | |
| Founder/Co-Founder | Jamie Michael Hemmings and Jilea Hemmings | |
| Founded | 2020 | |
| Product | Grocery store with Robotic delivery | |
| Asked For | $400k for 5% equity | |
| Final Deal | No Deals | |
| Shark | No Sharks | |
| Episode | S15 E18 | |
| Air Date | March 15th, 2024 | |
| Business Status | In Business | |
| Website | Visit Website | |
| Headquarters | Fayetteville, Georgia, United States | |
| Lifetime Worth (Sales) | $5M *estimated | |
| Buy and Watch | Buy Now | Amazon Prime |
What Is the Background of The Founder?
Husband and wife team Jamie Michael Hemmings and Jilea Hemmings are the founders of Nourish + Bloom Market, a business they started in 2020.
Jamie is a writer who studied Psychology and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. His wife, Jilea, completed an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Business Pitch Episode Recap
Jilea and Jamie appeared on Shark Tank seeking $400k for 5% equity at an $8 million valuation. They explained their convenience store business, Nourish + Bloom Market, which operates using robotic and AI technology, to the Sharks.
They also explained that customers can use their official app to scan a QR code, enter the store, pick up the necessary food items, and then leave, with payment being processed automatically.
Jilea mentioned that the store can be installed on college campuses, in offices, hotels, and airports to provide healthy food options to people.
Kevin O’Leary said that there are three issues with this business: the real estate play, the logistics play, and the challenge of handling fresh food items.
Jamie mentioned that this is the first autonomous grocery store in the Southern United States, attracting many city residents seeking healthy foods. Only one person is needed to run the store.
Mark Cuban asked Jilea and Jamie about the making cost of their flagship store, how long it took to build, and the sales report.
The making cost of their first flagship store was $1.5 million, which opened in January 2022. Its lifetime sales have surpassed $800,000, with last month’s sales at $22,000. This store serves as a proof of concept, and the business has not yet become profitable.
The opening cost for one container store is $400,000. Jamie explained that they have four different store models that can be deployed:
- Brick-and-Mortar Store
- Container Store: Requires 300 square feet of space.
- Smart Vending Machine
- Satellite Store: Can be deployed in hotels.
Their container store is the most profitable, with a net profit of 25%.
Lori Greiner said she doesn’t know anything about this business, so she is out.
Barbara Corcoran said she doesn’t have clarity on this business yet, so she is out.
They have raised $440,000 from friends and family, taken an SBA loan of $875,000, and have convertible notes worth $250,000, totaling $1.34 million in funding.
Jason Blum said, “My heart is saying yes! But my Shark nature is saying no,” so he is out.
Kevin O’Leary believes there are many issues with the business, so he is out.
Mark Cuban said that your finances are a disaster and the business is not investable at the moment, so he is also out.
All 5 Sharks declined to invest in the company.
Sharks Offers list!
| Sharks | Offers |
|---|---|
| Jason Blum | No Offer |
| Kevin O’Leary | No Offer |
| Mark Cuban | No Offer |
| Barbara Corcoran | No Offer |
| Lori Greiner | No Offer |
| Founder’s (Countered) | No Counter |
| Final Deals | No Deals |
Nourish + Bloom Market Shark Tank Update
Jilea and Jamie did not receive funding from Shark Tank, but they persisted and continued to expand their business. As of July 2024, they have opened 3 new container stores across Atlanta.
They have received a $600,000 grant and have now started offering franchises. Interested individuals can visit their Nourish + Bloom Market website to contact them for partnership opportunities.
The company’s current estimated worth is around $15 million, and it is generating millions of dollars in sales annually.
Check out Shark Tank Season 15 Business Update.
You can see some businesses from Season 15 here.
