Shroomacon is the flagship product of Meat the Mushroom , the meat alternative-creating company the Montagues founded in 2021. The couple presented their innovation before the sharks of "Shark Tank," and their episode is scheduled to air on Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. It will also be available for streaming on the TV network's website and Hulu.
Aleah said that her husband, a West Baltimore native and graduate of Edmondson High School , went vegan eight years ago for spiritual reasons. He later found health benefits to that decision, particularly related to a heart condition. After a year of being vegan, his well-being improved, prompting him to stay plant-based for various reasons, including being a father and wanting to be the healthiest version of himself.
Aleah said the venture started out with Marvin, a self-identified inventor, wanting to open a vegan restaurant in what he might call "the hood." She said her now-business partner experimented with multiple recipes during the COVID-19 lockdown and accidentally made what's now branded as the only vegan bacon on the market made of sliced mushrooms. He hadn't yet met Aleah, whose background is in digital marketing, products and retail.
A lightbulb went off for her husband, who realized he could reach more people with a product instead of a restaurant.
The pair quickly pivoted into manufacturing Shroomacon right here in Baltimore. Aleah, a native of New Jersey and alum of Rutgers University , told Technical.ly that production recently ramped up due to the "Shark Tank" announcement. Meat the Mushroom was a team of three and is now a team of six.
Even before its appearance on " Shark Tank ," Shroomacon had already caught the attention of vegan influencer and TV host Tabitha Brown, whom Marvin met in person at Memphis Vegan Brunch .
"We couldn’t afford to pay her to post, you know? We’re not there yet," said Aleah. "So she did that out of the goodness of her heart and out of sharing a product that she really loves. That, to me, made it all the better. … This was not a paid endorsement. This is America’s favorite auntie and she loves Shroomacon. So that was a great feeling."
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