Paper Tacos Shark Tank | Season 16
Jesus Ruvalcaba pitches his vibrant brand, Paper Tacos, on Shark Tank. (Image Credit- @sharktankabc)
Aren’t traditional cards too boring—almost as if they’ve been lost behind the curtains of time? How great would it be to exchange cards that actually show the real meaning we intend—cards that share our energy and vibe? Paper Tacos greeting cards are full of color and character, with a touch of authenticity.
Based in Salinas, California, Jesús is a graphic designer and the son of immigrant parents. Nobody in his family went to university before, he was the first one. The entrepreneur brings his venture to Shark Tank Season 16, investment.
With the Sharks circling, will his compelling pitch translate into a deal?
About Paper Tacos
| Category | Details |
| Founder (Plural if multiple) | Jesus Ruvalcaba |
| Product Type | Greeting Cards |
| Funding (Pre-Shark Tank) | Self-Funded |
| Investment Asked | $120,000 |
| Equity Offered | 10% |
What Happened on the Shark Tank Episode?
Jesus Ruvalcaba pitches his business, Paper Tacos, on Shark Tank Season 16, seeking mentorship and an investment. In Paper Tacos’s pitch, they included a Latina dance segment that featured a beautiful dancer performing traditional music. All the Sharks were impressed with the dance and applauded her.
The entrepreneur explains the specialty of their cards—how they are deeply meaningful and filled with cultural significance. Jesús created 85% of the designs himself; the rest were crafted by freelance artists. He hands out samples to the Sharks, and they like the vibrancy and uniqueness of the cards.
Barbara doubts that people still buy greeting cards as much due to the growing use of the internet. The entrepreneur addresses her concerns by explaining that it’s actually a myth—because, in reality, the number of greeting card purchases is increasing every year. Last year alone, over 6 billion greeting cards were sold, generating around $6–$7 billion in revenue.
Further Discussions
- Kevin mentions one of the most successful Shark Tank businesses—LovePop greeting cards—which have experienced consistent growth for five years in a row. That confirms people are still fans of greeting cards.
- The Sharks ask the entrepreneur how many retail stores they’ve expanded their business to. He shares that their cards are now available in 190 boutique stores. The business made $13,000 in sales in 2022 and $68,000 in 2023. As of the day of the episode shoot, they’ve reached $152,000 in sales—with a $60,000 profit.
- The cost of producing each card is $0.57. The cards are sold for $5.50 direct-to-consumer and $2.75 through wholesale. Impressively, the business was started with just $2,500.
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What Makes Paper Tacos Unique?
Paper Tacos is a greeting card business that creates unique, culturally inspired greeting cards. These cards are loaded with Mexican-American culture. They are vibrant and eye-catching. Cards feature amusing phrases, famous sayings, and adorable graphics. They are mostly bilingual and have a handmade touch to them.
Did Paper Tacos Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Shark Barbara asks what the investment money will be used for. Jesus shares that they haven’t done any marketing yet, so the funds would help them reach the right audience more efficiently. He also plans to purchase a digital press so they can print in-house, which would increase the profit by 14 cents per card.
- Kevin mentions that he’s already partnered with a similar business, so he won’t participate in any deal. He adds that Paper Tacos is a great business nonetheless.
- Daniel offers $120K for a 35% stake.
- Barbara suggests that the entrepreneur not do any deal today. She believes Jesus needs to continue what he is doing, and meddling with his authentic creative process might cause some harm. Mark agrees with Barbara and backs out from partnering with Jesus as well.
- Lori shares her thoughts—she says that while the business is already doing great, it could do even better with a partner like Daniel.
- Then, suddenly, Mark changes his mind and offers the entrepreneur a deal: $120K for 20%, which they accept.
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What Happened to Paper Tacos After Shark Tank?
You’ll find ongoing coverage of Shark Tank businesses here, including news about the entrepreneurs and their companies post-show. Paper Tacos is capturing the internet’s attention. Social media is alive with discussions about their unique cards, and Google Trends reflects a sharp rise in searches, showcasing the post-Shark Tank impact.
Where Can You Buy It?
If you are also bored with the same old cards and want to level your greeting up a notch, then Paper Tacos is for you. Get it from the official website. For more updates, follow their Instagram.
Quick Summary
- Entrepreneur Jesus Ruvalcaba brings his business, Paper Tacos, to the Sharks on Shark Tank Season 16, Episode 15.
- Paper Tacos is a greeting card business that creates pieces inspired by Mexican-American culture.
- Jesus makes a deal with Shark Mark Cuban for $120K in exchange for 20% of the company.
