By Gary Dinges
Austin American-Statesman.
Add 10-year-old Mikaila Ulmer to the growing list of Austin entrepreneurs featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank.”
The founder of BeeSweet Lemonade got a sweet offer from Daymond John, CEO of the FUBU clothing line, on an episode that aired Friday night.
John agreed to pay Ulmer $60,000 for a 25-percent stake in her company.
“Partnering with Mikaila made perfect sense,” John said. “She’s a great kid with a head for business and branding. She’s got a great idea and I’m happy to help take BeeSweet to the next level.”
Ulmer is a fifth-grader at Trinity Episcopal School in West Lake Hills.
BeeSweet Lemonade, which is made with flaxseed and locally sourced honey, is available at Whole Foods Market stores in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, as well as at many local restaurants.
The money from John will be used to increase production, Ulmer said. Two new lemonade flavors — prickly pear and iced tea — are set to debut soon.
“I’m so excited to have someone with as much experience as Daymond on my team,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to have more people try my lemonade.”
