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Litter Jewelry is a line of fashion accessories featured on the third season of the popular reality television show Shark Tank.
Established by sisters Mackenzie Burdick and Rachael Mann in 2009, the company specializes in creating distinctive, edgy, and daring jewelry pieces and accessories that often resemble pieces of ‘litter,’ hence the name.
Litter Jewelry’s products are known for their avant-garde aesthetic, and each is meticulously handcrafted with a blend of vintage and modern elements.
Litter Jewelry is a good choice because of its focus on individuality and uniqueness. The products cater to consumers who appreciate distinctiveness in their fashion choices and want to make a bold statement.
Company Name | Litter Jewelry |
Founder | Mackenzie Burdick and Rachael Mann |
Product | Jewelry with full-body chains |
Investment Seeking | $80,000 For 51% equity in Litter Jewelry |
Final Deal | $80,000 For 70% equity in Litter Jewelry |
Shark | Daymond John and Mark Cuban |
Episode | Season 3, Episode 8 |
Business Status | Out of Business |
Website | Litter Jewelry Website |
Net Worth | $0 |
What is Litter Jewelry?
Litter Jewelry is a brand that creates bold and daring accessories. Their creations are often characterized by their distinctive, avant-garde style, which sets them apart from traditional jewelry brands.
Litter Jewelry collection includes various pieces, from headpieces to foot chains and everything in between. Each piece is handcrafted, adding a touch of individuality and uniqueness.
They use various materials such as chains, crystals, feathers, and leather to craft their statement pieces. They’ve become particularly famous for their body chains, which celebrities like Rihanna and Miley Cyrus have sported.
Despite their rapid growth and success, Litter Jewelry is committed to sustainable practices. They source all their materials from local suppliers and strive to keep their production process eco-friendly.
Litter Jewelry designs and commitment to sustainability have made them a favorite among fashion-forward consumers and celebrities.
Who is the Founder of Litter Jewelry?
Litter Jewelry was founded by Mackenzie Burdick and Rachael Mann, two sisters with a strong passion for art, creativity, and fashion. They were born and raised in San Francisco, California, an environment that influenced their unconventional approach to fashion and business.
Mackenzie and Rachael’s journey to founding Litter Jewelry was unique. Per their account, the idea came to life accidentally when preparing for a party. Rachael repurposed an old chain from their grandmother’s jewelry box into a unique, fashion-forward headpiece.
Mackenzie posted a picture of Rachael wearing the piece on social media, and it quickly caught the attention of their friends and family, many of whom expressed interest in buying similar pieces.
Recognizing the potential market for their unique style of jewelry, Mackenzie and Rachael decided to launch Litter Jewelry in 2009. They started by creating pieces using vintage and found materials, carefully crafting each piece by hand.
The sisters began selling their products at local craft fairs and markets and eventually launched a website to reach a broader audience.
Before appearing on Shark Tank, Litter Jewelry had already garnered significant attention. The brand was noticed by prominent fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Nylon, and their pieces were worn by celebrities like Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
They also collaborated with renowned designers and brands like Betsy Johnson and Free People. However, the business was not without its challenges.
Despite their initial success, Mackenzie and Rachael struggled to scale their business due to the time-consuming nature of their production process. The sisters were also self-financing their venture, which presented financial constraints.
Therefore, they decided to pitch their business on Shark Tank, hoping to secure an investment that would allow them to expand their production capabilities and grow their brand.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Litter Jewelry?
When Mackenzie Burdick and Rachael Mann, the founders of Litter Jewelry, made their way into the Shark Tank, they sought an investment of $80,000 for a 51% equity stake in their business, valuing the company a little above $160,000.
This offer was reasonable, considering they had made $78,000 in sales the previous year and projected sales of $150,000 in the current year.
This equity offering indicated they were open to giving up a controlling stake in their company, signaling a need for a partner to support their expansion plans.
Kevin O’Leary, one of the Sharks, expressed concerns about their relatively modest revenue, given their products’ fashionable and unique nature. The sisters explained that all their products were handmade, limiting their capacity to produce more.
However, the Sharks were impressed by their profit margins, as each $100 piece only cost about $2. They also revealed a preliminary deal with Urban Outfitters to produce 400 pieces for test markets, hinting at potential growth.
The Sharks explored the possibilities for growth, asking whether the jewelry could be mass-produced without their “special touch.” The sisters clarified that most of their product lines could be mass-produced while they were responsible for the designs.
The Sharks, particularly Kevin, questioned the sisters’ plans to hire a skilled salesperson and a PR firm, suggesting that this may not be the best use of funds.
Despite their flexibility, Kevin expressed reservations about the size of their business, arguing they were thinking too small and should aim for more ambitious growth.
Meanwhile, Robert Herjavec, another Shark, bowed out of the deal, citing a lack of passion for the jewelry business and a lack of connections in the industry.
Daymond John then made an offer, proposing $80,000 in exchange for 70% equity, which was more than the sisters initially offered.
However, he added a clause allowing them to buy back 51% of equity later. He sweetened the deal by offering a salary for each sister, ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 per year.
After tense negotiations and amidst considerable pressure, Mackenzie and Rachael accepted a joint deal from Daymond John and Mark Cuban. They received $80,000, salaries, and the ability to buy back up to 49% equity, in exchange for initially giving up 70% equity.
Barbara Corcoran, another Shark, cryptically commented that their deal was “like watching the lambs go to the slaughterhouse,” implying that the sisters had given up too much.
Unfortunately, as of 2023, it appears that Litter Jewelry’s operations have ceased. The company’s website has been inactive since 2018, stating, “We’re not accepting orders because we’re moving.”
Their social media pages have also been inactive for several years, suggesting the business may have closed. Despite the promising deal they secured on Shark Tank, it seems that Litter Jewelry may have faced challenges that prevented them from sustaining their business in the long term.
Final Deal: Daymond John agreed to invest $80,000 for a 70% stake in Litter Jewelry.
What Happened To Litter Jewelry After Shark Tank?
Litter Jewelry’s unique jewelry designs made their way into high-fashion boutiques worldwide and were also sold online.
However, a few years later, things seemed to have been downturned. Their website had been inactive for several years, with a message indicating they were moving and not accepting orders.
Similarly, their social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were dormant and had not been updated since 2018. This indicated that the company may have ceased operations.
Despite having Litter Jewelry listed as “active” on their LinkedIn pages, there has been no new information online about what Mackenzie and Rachael have been doing since 2018, leaving their current activities and the status of the business in question.
It’s unclear if Litter Jewelry will make a comeback in the future, but as of now, it appears that despite the initial success and growth following their Shark Tank deal, the company may have faced challenges that led to its apparent hiatus or closure.
Litter Jewelry Shark Tank Update
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Litter Jewelry collaborated with major brands like Urban Outfitters, Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret, and Forever 2.
Their designs and commitment to sustainability resonated with customers, leading to celebrity endorsements and features in fashion magazines.
Despite their initial success, there have been conflicting reports about the current status of Litter Jewelry. Some sources suggest the company might be unavailable, as its website and social media accounts have been inactive since 2018.
The founders’ net worth is estimated to be between $1.8 million to $2 million. The provided information indicates that the company’s journey from Shark Tank to a thriving business showcased its potential and bright future.
Litter Jewelry experienced significant growth and success after its appearance on Shark Tank, securing deals with notable investors and collaborating with major brands.
However, the company’s current status is out of business, with its website and social media accounts inactive.
Nevertheless, their achievements and net worth demonstrate the impact of their appearance on the show and their potential to become a successful brand in the fashion industry.
Is Litter Jewelry Still in Business?
Our research shows that Litter Jewelry is no longer in business. The company’s website has not been active since 2018, and its social media accounts have also been inactive for several years.
The founders still list Litter Jewelry as “active” on their LinkedIn profiles, but no updates on any platforms suggest that the business has ceased operations.
What Is the Net Worth of Litter Jewelry?
According to our research, the net worth of Litter Jewelry has been $0 since the company went out of business in 2018. The valuation of Litter Jewelry was $115,000 after securing an investment from Mark Cuban and Daymond John on Shark Tank.