# #80 From turning down Shark Tank offers to raising $2.7 million for Nopalera with Sandra Velasquez

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2023-02-21
- Length: 1h 00m
- Episode: 57
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b39f81a4

## Summary

Sandra Velasquez, CEO and founder of Nopalera, discusses her journey from a musician to launching a high-end Latina bath and body brand, including her appearance on Shark Tank where she turned down two offers. She details the process of raising a $2.7 million seed round from scratch, highlighting the importance of valuation assessments, legal costs, and overcoming the 'money begets money' dynamic. Velasquez also shares specific metrics on the post-Shark Tank sales surge, the operational prep required for the influx of demand, and the company's current scaling efforts into new product categories like aluminum-packaged body wash.

## Chapters

- [0:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with#t=9) Introduction and Nopalera's Origin Story
- [9:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with#t=571) Applying to Shark Tank and Mental Preparation
- [14:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with#t=890) The Shark Tank Experience: Pitch, Quiet, and Negotiation
- [25:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with#t=1543) Post-Shark Tank Sales Surge and Operational Prep
- [37:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with#t=2256) Raising $2.7 Million: Valuation, Legal Fees, and Networking
- [48:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with#t=2914) Using Funds for Growth and New Product Development

## Topics

- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Nopalera (product)
- Shark Tank (other)
- Luna Magic (company)
- Nordstrom (company)
- Credo Beauty (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Liquid Death (company)
- Pistolera (other)

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## Citing this page

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