Wink Frozen Desserts Net Worth & Post-Shark Tank Journey: Why This Shark Tank Brand Melted Away Despite $534K in Sales

A frozen dessert that had it all: low calories, no allergens, and totally vegan. So why did it fail?

Wink Frozen Desserts promised a sweet treat everyone could enjoy. Whether you were avoiding dairy, gluten, sugar, or just trying to eat healthier, Wink sounded like the dream dessert. Only 100 calories per pint, zero added sugar, and free from the top 8 allergens—it looked like the perfect guilt-free snack. But despite all that, Wink didn’t survive. What went wrong?

They even pitched on Shark Tank, hoping to turn their small but growing brand into a national sensation. But things didn’t go as planned. The sharks didn’t invest, and soon after, customers began posting brutal reviews. Today, the company is no longer in business. So what really happened?

Let’s dive into Wink Frozen Desserts’ net worth, their post-Shark Tank journey, and the reasons why this healthy dessert brand eventually melted away.

Is Wink Frozen Desserts Still in Business?

No, Wink Frozen Desserts is no longer in operation. The company ceased operations around January 2020 after struggling with product quality, customer satisfaction, and operational hurdles. Their website is now owned by a new entity and serves as a blog for dessert-related content, and their social media pages went silent after December 2019.

What began as a promising product for people with dietary restrictions ended quietly. There was no formal announcement, just an absence that became increasingly obvious to fans and curious viewers like yourself.

What Was Wink Frozen Desserts?

Wink Frozen Desserts was founded by Gabe Wolff, a dessert lover turned innovator after being diagnosed with Celiac disease and a dairy allergy at age 17. Unable to enjoy traditional ice cream, Gabe developed his own frozen dessert recipe. Ani Blinova later partnered with him to commercialize and launch Wink as a healthy dessert alternative that was:

• 100 calories per pint
• Sugar-free (sweetened with stevia and monk fruit)
• Dairy-free
• Gluten-free
• Nut-free and soy-free
• Vegan and plant-based

The product used pea protein and was fat-free to achieve its nutritional goals. The company released multiple flavors including Cocoa Dough, Cinnamon Bun, Vanilla Bean, Choco-Mint, and later added Salted Caramel.

While the mission resonated with health-conscious consumers, the product didn’t quite taste like ice cream, and that became a problem.

Shark Tank Appearance: A National Spotlight

In Season 7, Episode 8 of Shark Tank (2015), Gabe and Ani entered the tank seeking $300,000 for 15% equity, giving their company a valuation of $2 million.

At the time, Wink was already gaining traction. They told the sharks they had:

• $534,000 in sales by 2014, with a gross profit of $87,000 the previous year
• A projection of $650,000 in sales for the following year
• Distribution in 30 Whole Foods stores
• Agreements lined up for 180 more locations

The founders emphasized their brand’s alignment with dietary needs and health trends, hoping one of the sharks would help them scale further.

But what happened next derailed their hopes. Every shark passed.

Why the Sharks Said No

The sharks were intrigued by the idea, but the product itself didn’t win them over. After tasting it, Kevin O’Leary described it as “soy, nut, lactose, gluten AND taste free.” Mark Cuban, who is lactose intolerant and would seemingly be part of their target market, didn’t like it either. Barbara Corcoran questioned their profitability. Robert Herjavec and Lori Greiner both bowed out, unconvinced the brand could scale.

Despite decent sales and mission-driven branding, the core issue was the taste and texture, a fatal flaw in the food industry.

Why Did Wink Frozen Desserts Fail?

While Shark Tank gave them exposure, the core problems weren’t solved after the pitch. Wink’s shutdown in 2020 can be traced to three major issues:

1. Taste and Texture IssuesThe biggest complaint across the board was the taste. Many customers described it as chalky, icy, or bland. Reviews frequently noted that the lack of fat and sugar created a frozen dessert that didn’t feel or taste like a treat. Even fans of healthy desserts found Wink to be a tough sell.
2. Customer Backlash and Reputation Wink’s Yelp and Reddit reviews were predominantly negative, with Yelp reportedly averaging a 1.5-star rating. The backlash created a trust gap that was hard to close. Even a few loyal fans weren’t enough to outweigh the wave of criticism, and the poor public image damaged their potential for retail growth.
3. Operational and Financial ProblemsIn addition to bad press, Wink incurred a $60,000 loss due to a co-packer’s freezer malfunction. They had trouble maintaining product quality at scale, and production issues persisted. Without a Shark Tank investment or outside funding, they struggled to keep the business afloat.

When Did They Shut Down?

The company’s last known social media activity was in December 2019, and reports confirm they ceased operations around January 2020. Their website was repurposed by a new owner, and there was no formal public announcement from the founders, just a quiet disappearance, leaving fans, customers, and curious viewers with unanswered questions.

We'll never forget your glorious details
💐 @stemsbrooklyn
📸 lovebyhailley https://t.co/pB3PozLArW

— Wink Frozen Desserts (@WinkDesserts) December 3, 2019

What Was Wink Frozen Desserts’ Net Worth?

Wink Frozen Desserts did not publicly release a final valuation or financial summary. However, based on their Shark Tank pitch, we know the company had:

• A $2 million valuation (based on their ask of $300,000 for 15%)
• $534,000 in sales by 2014
• A projection of $650,000 in sales for the following year

The company’s net worth after the January 2020 shutdown is unknown, as no public financial data is available.

Where Are the Founders Now?

After shutting down Wink, both Gabe and Ani moved on to new ventures.

• Ani Blinova-Wolff founded Ani Wolff Weddings & Wellness, an event and wedding planning business focused on luxury experiences and wellness themes.
• Gabe Wolff transitioned into marketing and brand management. He no longer works in the food industry.

Neither has returned to the frozen dessert or vegan product space, and it seems unlikely that Wink will ever be revived.

A Great Mission Needs Great Taste

Wink Frozen Desserts had all the right ingredients for success, literally. It catered to underserved markets, aligned with health trends, and had a compelling founder story. But in the end, taste trumps everything in the food industry.

Even a Shark Tank appearance couldn’t save a product that most people didn’t enjoy eating. Wink’s journey is a powerful reminder that a meaningful mission isn’t enough: execution, flavor, and customer experience matter just as much.

If you’re searching for guilt-free dessert options today, the market has evolved. But the story of Wink Frozen Desserts will always stand as a lesson in how not to build a food brand.