Jim Tselikis & Sabin Lomac

Co-Founders of Cousins Maine Lobster & Experts in Purpose-Driven Growth and Entrepreneurial Leadership

Jim Tselikis & Sabin Lomac

Co-Founders of Cousins Maine Lobster & Experts in Purpose-Driven Growth and Entrepreneurial Leadership

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Biography

Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac are more than just cousins—they’re visionary entrepreneurs who transformed a shared childhood love for Maine lobster into a nationally recognized brand and a modern symbol of small business success. As co-founders of Cousins Maine Lobster, Jim and Sabin have redefined what it means to follow your passion, combining deep family roots, bold business instincts, and relentless grit into a story of growth, reinvention, and purpose that continues to inspire.

Raised in Maine, the cousins shared countless summer meals surrounded by family, feasting on fresh lobster rolls that would eventually become the cornerstone of their brand. Years later, while pursuing careers on opposite coasts—Jim in medical device sales and Sabin in real estate and acting—they reunited over a simple yet powerful idea: bring authentic Maine lobster to the rest of the country. With just one food truck, no culinary background, and an unwavering belief in their vision, Cousins Maine Lobster was born in 2012.

Their big break came when they appeared on Shark Tank, where they secured a strategic partnership with Barbara Corcoran. That moment catapulted them into the national spotlight and taught them valuable lessons about alignment, trust, and long-term collaboration. As they scaled the business, Jim and Sabin navigated complex operational challenges and growing pains—evolving their model, staying nimble, and doubling down on the values that made them stand out. Through it all, they remained fiercely committed to authenticity, quality, and the people who helped them get there.

Their dedication paid off. What began with one food truck in Los Angeles has grown into a $1 billion empire with a celebrated franchise model, a best-selling cookbook, a loyal customer base, and a place in the Shark Tank Hall of Fame. Featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, Forbes, and more, their story is a masterclass in brand-building, grit, and staying grounded through success.

Now, two of our most sought-after keynote speakers, Jim and Sabin bring a high-energy, engaging presence to every stage. Whether speaking to corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, students, or mission-driven organizations, they offer a candid and often humorous look at what it takes to build something from scratch, reinvent through challenge, and lead with purpose. Audiences walk away inspired to think bigger, move faster, and build with heart.

Speaker Videos

Cousins Maine Lobster Sizzle Reel

Cousins Maine Lobster - Beyond The Tank

Barbara Reels In a Big Catch | Shark Tank: How It Started

Cousins Maine Lobster Update - Shark Tank

Learn About Cousins Maine Lobster Family Values

See Fewer Videos

Speech Topics

Building a Brand from Scratch: From One Food Truck to a National Powerhouse

Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac know what it takes to turn a bold idea into a household name. With no background in the food industry, the cousins launched a single food truck in Los Angeles, and grew Cousins Maine Lobster into a $1 billion empire with a celebrated franchise model, a best-selling cookbook, a loyal customer base, and a place in the Shark Tank Hall of Fame. In this engaging talk, they share how they built their brand from the ground up, stayed true to their roots, and turned challenges into momentum. From crafting an authentic story to creating brand loyalty, Jim and Sabin offer practical advice for anyone dreaming of building something of their own. Their journey proves that with grit, vision, and a little Maine charm, anything is possible.

Key Takeaways:

How to create a brand identity that’s authentic, memorable, and scalable
Why storytelling is the most powerful tool for building a loyal customer base
Lessons in persistence, humility, and hustle from two founders who started with zero industry experience

Entrepreneurial Grit & Reinvention: Weathering the Storms & Staying Hungry

From lobster rolls to boardrooms, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac have learned that entrepreneurship is as much about reinvention as it is about resilience. Whether navigating economic uncertainty, scaling through a pandemic, or expanding beyond food trucks into new markets and media, the Cousins Maine Lobster story is a masterclass in adaptability. In this candid and motivating talk, Jim and Sabin share how they’ve stayed nimble in the face of setbacks, embraced reinvention as a mindset, and used grit to power through growing pains. With personal stories, honest lessons, and a healthy dose of humor, they inspire audiences to lean into discomfort and never stop evolving.

Key Takeaways:

How to cultivate grit and stay mission-driven during uncertainty and rapid change
The importance of evolving your business model without losing your identity
Why personal reinvention is just as critical as business growth

Strategic Partnerships: Finding the Right People to Grow With

Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac know firsthand that the right partnerships can change everything. From their game-changing deal on Shark Tank with Barbara Corcoran to their relationships with franchisees, vendors, and media, the Cousins Maine Lobster journey has been fueled by smart, intentional collaboration. In this talk, they break down how to identify partners who align with your values, bring complementary strengths, and help you scale without compromise. Jim and Sabin share the highs and lows of navigating partnerships, from trust and communication to legal pitfalls and brand alignment, and offer actionable strategies for building alliances that last.

Key Takeaways:

What to look for (and avoid) when forming strategic partnerships
How to structure win-win relationships that drive mutual growth
The role of trust, transparency, and shared values in long-term success

Staying Grounded Through Success: Staying True to Who You Are as You Grow

Success can change your business, but it shouldn’t change your values. As Cousins Maine Lobster grew from a single truck to a nationally recognized brand, founders Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac made it a priority to stay grounded in the things that mattered most: family, humility, and purpose. In this heartfelt and humorous talk, they reflect on how they've stayed connected to their roots, maintained perspective in the spotlight, and used their platform to give back. With candid stories from their personal and professional journey, Jim and Sabin remind audiences that success isn’t just about what you build—it’s about who you become along the way.

Takeaways: