Where Is Kobee's Lip Balm From Shark Tank Season 16 Today?

The skin on your lips is super sensitive and prone to drying out. In fact, a Carma Laboratories survey from 2015 found that approximately one-fifth of people deal with chapped lips (via Drug Store News). But choosing a decent lip restoration product can be tough, as you know if you've read up on the truth about what's really in lip balm. According to makeup artist Mary Winkenwerder, you have to be cautious about what you apply to your lips. "Some lip balms are made with ingredients that are not clean," said Winkenwerder (via SheFinds). She recommended avoiding balms with problematic preservatives, petroleum, or parabens (read up on why parabens are so concerning).

Enter Kobee's Lip Balm, which is made with four ingredients and was featured in 2024 on Shark Tank. Created in a dorm room by young entrepreneur Kobe Harris, Kobee's Lip Balm is a proprietary line of balms made to be eco-conscientious, ethical, and effective. For about four years before diving into the tank, Harris focused on building his brand. By the time he made his TV debut, he was already selling; however, Harris felt it was time to try for more investment money. Ultimately, though, he came out of the show without any funding.

During the episode, he pitched his product and asked for $300,000 in exchange for 6% equity in his company. He was met with resistance, including a claim that the lip balm market was too saturated. (For what it's worth, the lip product market is estimated to be $4.3 billion in 2025 and expand to $7.1 billion by 2033.) Kevin O'Leary was willing to take a chance on Harris and offered up $300,000 for 20% equity. Harris sent the ball back to O'Leary by countering for 10% equity. O'Leary responded with 15% equity, which Harris turned down.

Why the reluctance on the part of Harris? He explained in a 2024 CNBC interview that he went with his gut instinct, concluding, "I know my business better than anybody." Though it might seem strange to turn away a funding offer, it certainly wasn't a business-ending decision. Harris said he expected to enter into 2025 with sales of close to $4 million, meaning that declining O'Leary's offer didn't sink his company.

At present, Kobee's Lip Balm offers several product options on its website, including individual balms, bundles, and merchandise. Since 2024, the brand's Instagram and TikTok accounts have been filled with content about their limited edition scents like a fall collection of balms (pumpkin spice is in there, of course) and four Valentine's Day kiss-worthy balms (hard to resist raspberry rose). Quite a few of the posts and videos feature Harris, who seems to be a hands-on owner.

In addition to advertising occasional special flavors, the company's lip balm lineup includes a stick that contains a natural sunscreen ingredient that offers 15 SPF protection. Although that's less than the 30 SPF recommended for lip products, it still offers some measure of protection (which matters, because lips are one of the unexpected places you can get skin cancer).

To further its mission to make a positive environmental impact, Kobee's Lip Balm introduced what it calls "The Hive Project" in 2025. The initiative is designed to support a wide range of earth-friendly and sustainable endeavors, including donating hives to 50 beekeeping associations and funding waterway cleanup organizations. It appears to be yet another indicator that the business is continuing to make serious buzz despite not securing a Shark Tank investment.