DATE magnate Joanna Moss wanted to invest beyond seed capital with her fruitful business and turned to Channel 10’s Shark Tank to reach the next step.
The Tasty Date owner and founder would create handmade chocolate and yoghurt covered dates, package and sell them.
The mother of two currently supplies the sweet treats to Gilbert’s Fresh in Mandurah as well as 15 different stores around Perth.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWShe said her business idea started as a joke between friends.
“My husband had a job in Saudi Arabia for five years and when we were living there, I used to bring back dates with almonds inside them for friends,” she said.
“When I came back to live in WA, I told them bad luck – they won’t be getting the dates anymore and they joked and said I should make them some and so I did.”
The Halls Head resident said she went from starting her business and creating only a few flavours to now selling 25 types of spruced up dates.
“They’re all handmade by myself – I hand open them, seed them, hand peel them and hand coat them in chocolate or yoghurt,” she said.
“Some of the popular flavours include Salted Caramel, Ginger, Coffee Hazelnut, Hot and Spicy Brazilian, and most of them are gluten free.”
Mrs Moss said although she didn’t get a deal from the Shark Tank investors when she appeared on Tuesday night’s episode, they gave her good advice.
“They loved my product and it was a great experience,” she said.
Her goal now will be to take her business to the next level.
“To go national with my products would be fantastic and I have plans to sell them online to keep up with the demand,” she said