Here's What Went Down With Kobee's Lip Balm After Shark Tank

The environment is in crisis and though many of us aim to make a difference in our daily lives, the fossil fuel, transportation, fashion, and cosmetics industry remain major contributors to pollution. But as seen on "Shark Tank," the younger generation is working hard to be the change. The 16-year-old founder of Nohbo Balls, which saw success after appearing on the series is creating products that are sustainable. While the young founder may not have even had a company to his name when he appeared on the show, he had ambition to change the beauty industry. Kobee Harris, the founder of Kobee's Lip Balm had both.

Harris had just finished doing some research on bees and sustainability for a professor at Loyola University when the idea for his product struck him like lightning. He then borrowed $200 from his mother to purchase ingredients from Amazon and started making and selling his very own natural lip balm. Though the cosmetic wouldn't be the first product of its kind (several plant-based lip balms exist), it contained one special feature that made it stand out.

Not only are Kobee's lip balms made of sustainable ingredients, even the packaging is biodegradable — talk about Gen Z being seriously environmentally conscious. Although his love for making sustainable lip balms began as a side hustle, soon enough things really started taking off for the young entrepreneur. The day he reached $15,000 in sales was when he decided college might not be what he needed at the moment and dropped out to pursue his business, Kobee's Lip Balm, full-time.

Harris appeared on Season 16 Episode 3 of "Shark Tank" with the hopes of acquiring $300,000 in exchange for 6% equity in Kobee's Co. During his pitch, Harris emphasized that his lip balms were handmade with ingredients "so clean that you could eat them" — coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, mango butter, and beeswax. He then proudly shared that his success enabled him to expand his product line to naturally made lotion bars, lip scrubs, and hand sanitizers. 

The sharks appeared charmed by Kobee Harris' funny yet witty introduction. At one point Harris told the sharks that his company sources its beeswax from "happy bees who listen to classical music all day" and use oils "pressed from plants who have won beauty contests." He then stated that he hoped to use the investment money to further strengthen Kobee's e-commerce and marketing budget, as well as aid their expansion into retail. But while Harris had high hopes, he was unable to to secure a deal with any of the sharks. 

Many felt there was no value for them to add to the already solid business. Most of the other sharks felt the same way, except for Kevin O'Leary, who offered the founder $300,000 in exchange for 15% equity. After taking a few minutes to consider the offer, similar to the founders of CurlMix, who appeared on "Shark Tank" season 10, Harris declined, noting that he couldn't fathom giving up that much of his company.

Despite not receiving an investment from the sharks, Kobee Harris has boosted his brand's marketing by creating captivating YouTube videos about the company's story. It seems to be working out well. In 2023, the founder shared on Instagram the company had successfully evolved from a home garage operation to a warehouse, underscoring how they had scaled.

The company projected to do $4 million in sales at the time of CNBC's reporting on the company in 2024. Whether Kobees Co achieved those numbers is yet to be confirmed. However, at the time of writing, the brand now offers a wide range of products, from the original $5 lip balm to a $12 lip scrub, and even a hand salve. Kobee's Lip Balm is available in a 3-pack bundle for $19 for those who wish to test out different products.

Kobee's has also continued expanding its original lineup, adding new flavors and seasonal releases.As of 2026, available lip balm flavors include coconut, mango, watermelon, Mai Tai punch, peppermint, and passion fruit. The growing variety signals the brand's shift from a single viral item into a broader personal care line.

For Gen-Z founder Kobee Harris, building a social media presence for Kobee's was a no-brainer. Not only does his brand boast an eye-catching website, he also runs various social media accounts to give his products the exposure they need.

Kobee's TikTok account has already gone viral with more than 200,000 followers as of 2026, thanks in part to fun series such as "Will it flavor?, a recurring video bit in which the team tries to incorporate everyday food flavors into their balms. The company also uses its social platform to keep followers posted on seasonal offerings. For instance, for autumn 2024, they released a limited-edition lineup of lip balms that included a pumpkin spice and gingerbread flavor.

The brand has continued to maintain the momentum through lifestyle-driven social media posts that include their products, such as videos of the founder bringing the balm along on outdoor adventures like mountain hikes. It's clear Kobee's Lip Balm understands how crucial having a social media presence is to a business nowadays.

It's pretty clear that Kobee's Lip Balm founder Kobee Harris is highly eco-conscious. But the business owner's commitment to sustainability doesn't stop with his products. Harris also uses his platform to educate people on the importance of being mindful of the impact waste has on the environment. In a pinned post on the Kobee's Lip Balm Instagram account, the founder explains that he's "sick of all the plastic and bad ingredients" found in everyday products. In another informative post, he explains why people should reconsider using petroleum jelly as a moisturizer, citing its harmful chemical composition.

The entrepreneur is also giving back to help make changes. It was reported that Kobee's Lip Balm was donating a portion of its profits to non-profits focused on saving the environment, such as One Tree Planted, The Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Our Children's Earth Foundation. It's always amazing to hear how the younger generation is trying to make a difference for the future generations to come.

In early 2025, the company shared updated impact figures, estimating that its products have helped prevent more than 60,000 pounds of plastic from making its way into waste streams. This milestone underscores how Kobee's Co continues to prioritize sustainability, and not just growth.