Cheek’d Dating Service Update | Shark Tank Season 5
Those looking for love may have a difficult time finding a date if they’re shy. That’s why Lori Cheek created a dating service that she describes as “online dating in reverse.” Will her company earn a deal on
Shark Tank Cheek’d Update
- Entrepreneurs: Lori Cheek
- Business: Dating service
- Ask: $100,000 in exchange for 10% equity
- Result: No deal
- Sharks: None
Lori’s novel approach to matchmaking in this 2014 episode was a hybrid of online and in-person connection. When a person saw someone they were attracted to, they simply passed them a Cheek’d business card. The card featured a pickup line, and a code that linked to their online dating profile. If the recipient liked what they saw, they could contact the member through the website, and plan to get in touch or meet up.
When she started her dating service, Lori left behind a lucrative, high-paying job as a Christian Dior architect and said goodbye to her swanky apartment in New York City’s West Village. She invested $120,000 into her idea, and started her business. But in the 3 years prior to the filming, she had made only $56,000 and no longer had her own place to live.
Members paid $20 for a supply of cards, and an additional $10 per month to maintain their profile on the company website. Lori’s business had 4,500 active members in the U.S. and abroad. Of those members though, only 1,125 had paid the company anything– a fact Lori only revealed when specifically asked.
When Lori said her business would become a household name despite her website being broken for 3 years, Mark Cuban called her delusional. Kevin O’Leary said the business was a rabid dog, and told her she needed to shoot it. Robert Herjavec wasn’t onboard with her matchmaking system.
Lori Greiner told Lori Cheek that her idea wasn’t working, and Barbara Corcoran agreed. All sharks were out, and Cheek’d didn’t get the investment Lori needed. What happened next for her company? Keep reading our Cheek’d update to find out!
We have sad news to share. Research finds the service likely no longer exists. In the years following
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Andrew Smith is the founder and owner of Shark Tank Recap. He is a longtime Shark Tank fan that has been watching it for years and has seen every episode multiple times. His friends know him as the Shark Tank expert, because he can answer any question about the show! His favorite Shark Tank products are Bertello's pizza oven and Bug Bite Thing!