If you have ever seen a unique ring on TikTok or Instagram and thought, “What is that made of?”, you might have just encountered the work of Tristen Ikaika, the “Ring King”.
What started as a hobby of crafting rings from old kitchen spoons has thrived into a blossoming business, and he even secured a spot on the popular show Shark Tank. Tristen pitched his idea on the show on Season 13, which aired in January 2022.
With zero background in Jewelry design, Tristen turned the unconventional idea into a viral drop-based brand, which has since expanded into multiple themed collections.
After presenting his product to the Sharks, were the Sharks convinced to invest in the one-man business?
Let’s find out.
Tristen’s backstory- The Guy Who Makes Spoon Rings
Tristen Amal Ikaikamaikai’ikaneokalani Persons (Yep, that is his real name!), also known by his brand name, Tristen Ikaika, began making rings from spoons as early as 12.
Inspired by a ring he saw on a trip to London, Tristan went home, stole a spoon from his mom’s kitchen, and hammered it in their garage to create his first ring. He started wearing them, posting them on Instagram, and soon people started noticing.
During his appearance on Shark Tank, Tristen narrated to the Sharks how a random Instagram comment became his aha! moment. Someone had asked under one of his pictures, “Does anyone know where he gets his rings?”
That question made him realize he could share this passion and make rings for people who had been asking. This was the turning point that helped him turn a hobby into a million-dollar business.
From there, Tristen tapped into his marketing genius, Gen Z branding, and scarcity-based sales to build a cult following on TikTok and Instagram. His limited-edition ring drops began selling out within minutes, with each drop tied to a story.
Tristen Ikaika Net Worth
During his Shark Tank appeared, Tristen was seeking $250,000 for 5%, valuing his company at $5 million at the time. The company has made over $2.1 million in lifetime sales. However, Tristan accepted Kevin O’Leary’s offer of $250,000 for 15%, which valued the company at $1.67 million. Based on the Shark Tank valuation in January 2022, and assuming a 10% yearly growth rate, Ikaika Studios would be worth $2.3 million as of 2025**.
**This valuation is speculative, since Ikaika Studio’s revenue and valuation information is not publicly available.
Tristen Ikaika Shark Tank Update Overview
| Product | Spoon Rings |
| Founder | Tristen Ikaika |
| Asking | $250,000 for 5% equity |
| Valuation | $5 million |
| Result | Deal accepted |
| Accepted deal | Kevin O’Leary (Mr. Wonderful)$250,000 for 15% equity |
Tristen Ikaika Shark Tank Pitch
Tristen entered Shark Tank seeking $250,000 for 5% of the business.
He began his pitch by explaining to the Sharks how he makes rings out of recycled kitchenware like spoons and forks, which he sells through hyped “one-time drops” on social media.
Tristen described how each ring drop had a theme and personal significance, creating an emotional appeal to customers. Tristen then presented each of the sharks with personalized press boxes with samples, which wowed them.
As the Sharks examined the ring samples, Tristen narrated how life-changing family events shaped his drive to pursue his passion. His father suffered a heart attack in 2016 and had to undergo open heart surgery, and shortly after, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of being a burden to them, Tristen vowed to take care of them financially and emotionally.
Asked about the sales, Tristen disclosed that he had raked in $2.1 million in lifetime sales, while the year-to-day sales (about half a year) had reached $575,000. He explained that he did one-time drops once a month, and his most recent drop at the time sold 3200 units, raking in $155,000 in 24 hours. Each ring averages about $50.
With Sharks skeptical about relying solely on the one-time drops a month, Tristen shared that he was creating a core collection of rings that customers can buy at any time via the official website, while still maintaining the rarity of the ring drops.
Did Tristen Ikaika Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
Lori Greiner is the first shark to drop out, noting that while the business sounds good, it is not investable. Next, Daymond John says he would need a big equity stake for him to invest, which would be insulting to the founder, and he opts out.
On the other hand, Kevin highlights the risks of one-man businesses like Tristen’s, but proceeds to make an offer. He offers Tristen $250,000 for 50% equity, plus keyman insurance, in case anything were to happen to Tristen.
Barbara Corcoran makes an offer of $250,000 for 20%, substantially lower than Kevin’s offer. To avoid losing the deal, Kevin alters his original deal, lowering the equity from 50% to 15%, to the surprise of the other Sharks.
Barbara is unimpressed by Kevin’s sudden change and rants about Kevin undercutting her, with other Sharks seemingly in support.
With the rising temperature, Mark Cuban drops out, leaving Kevin and Barbara to battle it out.
Facing immense pressure from the two rivaling Sharks, Tristen opts to go with Kevin’s offer.
So, does the deal go through after the show? Let’s find out in the update below.
What happened to Tristen Ikaika after Shark Tank?
Immediately the show aired, Tristen reported seeing a surge in web traffic and online sales. In an interview with Forbes, he said the brand’s revenue surged 4.5x month-on-month, recording a 354% growth in sales.
With the growing sales, he embarked on creating a new website, packaging, and sourcing brand collaborators to take his business to the next level.
However, despite closing a deal with Kevin O’Leary on the show, it seems the deal fell through after the show.
However, Tristen kept his head high and even praised Kevin’s persona. In the Forbes interview, he still described Kevin as “unbelievably kind” and that “he is excited to see other people succeed”, despite the harsh persona displayed on TV.
Tristen rebranded his brand to “Ikaika Studios” and expanded his core collections on the website. There are multiple ring collections based on various themes, including The Paris Collection, Sad Boi, Lunar Program, Valentine Drop, etc. You can order silver or gold-colored rings.
He has also built a small team, improved customer service, expanded his production capacity, and started exploring retail partnerships to expand market reach.
Tristen has also grown his influencer status, and he has over 81,000 followers on TikTok and 125,000 followers on Instagram, while his brand’s Instagram page has grown to over 15,000 followers. He has maintained his authentic side on social media and often shares raw moments, jokes, behind-the-scenes chaos, and documents travels around the world.
Is Tristen Ikaika still in business?
Tristen Ikaika is still in business and thriving under the brand “Ikaika Studios”.
Tristen has also grown as an influencer and has a loyal fan base on TikTok and Instagram. TikTokers have branded him the “Ring King,” which Tristen has worked so hard to earn.
Ikaika Studios has maintained the drop-based model for limited-edition rings, while the core collections feature occasional limited collections and themed campaigns.
You can order rings on the official website ikaikastudios.com and have them shipped anywhere in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and across the world.
You can track your orders in real-time, and each ring purchase comes with a one-year guarantee.
You can follow Tristen and Ikaika Studios here:
