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Tough Ties is a product that emerged on the business landscape, offering a distinctive solution for individuals who value style and practicality. The idea was conceived and brought to life by Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett, who were both real estate brokers and faced difficulties maintaining the quality of their ties while also being parents.
Their creation, Tough Ties, appeared on Season 11 of the popular entrepreneurial TV show Shark Tank. Tough Ties are ties that are designed with durability and cleanliness in mind.
As the name suggests, these ties are tough, resistant to typical wear and tear, and designed to withstand the common staining issues that traditional ties often face. What sets them apart is that they are machine washable and liquid repellent, meaning maintaining them is significantly easier than conventional ties.
The chances of staining are minimized due to their unique liquid-repellent feature. They also come with an added convenience – a microfiber tip that can be used to clean glasses. This utility-oriented approach to design not only adds to the product’s functionality but also its value proposition.
The founders, understanding the value of quality and affordability, have priced these ties reasonably, with a standard tie costing $30 and a custom tie priced at $50 with an additional set-up cost of $20.
The business, which started with just ties, has expanded its product line to include socks, belts, and face masks and even ventured into clothing with the introduction of dresses and casual shirts.
Tough Ties, now operating under the business moniker Tough Apparel as of July 2021, is a testament to innovation in a conventional product space. These ties offer the perfect blend of style, durability, practicality, and affordability.
Tough Ties are excellent for those seeking to maintain their professional appearance without the hassle of high-maintenance clothing items. Whether you’re a parent, a business professional, or someone who values convenience, Tough Ties are designed to cater to your needs.
| Company Name | Tough Ties, aka Tough Apparel |
| Founder | Skylar Bennett and Kevin Shoemaker |
| Business | Tie and accessory line that is stain-resistant, machine-washable, and stylish |
| Investment Seeking | $100,000 for 15% equity in Tough Ties |
| Final Deal | $100,000 for 35% equity in Tough Ties |
| Shark | Robert Herjavec |
| Tough Ties Episode | Season 11, Episode 22 |
| Tough Ties Business Status | In Business |
| Tough Ties Website | Visit Website |
| Tough Ties Net Worth | $3 Million |
What Is Tough Ties?
Tough Ties is a brand that specializes in creating durable, stain-resistant, and machine-washable neckties. The company prides itself on producing ties that can withstand spills, tugs, and machine washing while maintaining their shape and color.
The ties are designed with an internal structure that allows them to return to their original shape after being pulled or twisted. These innovative ties are made from high-quality materials, including microfiber and silk, and come in various colors and patterns to suit different tastes and occasions.
Tough Ties aims to provide a practical solution for those who wear ties regularly and are frustrated with traditional ties that are easily damaged or stained. Tough Ties offers a stylish and durable alternative to conventional neckties for work, formal events, or everyday wear.
Who Is The Founder Of Tough Ties?
The founders of Tough Ties are Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett. Both worked as real estate brokers, requiring them to dress smartly and wear ties daily. However, once they became parents, maintaining their ties in pristine condition became challenging.
Naturally curious and playful children would often wrinkle, vomit, or even paint on their fathers’ ties. This led to the deterioration of the ties, which were not easy to clean or maintain. This posed a dilemma for Kevin and Skylar, who needed to uphold their professional appearance but couldn’t restrict their children’s playful nature.
This predicament prompted them to seek a solution. They started researching and trying to find machinery or techniques that could maintain ties despite such challenges but found none. This gap in the market led them to conceptualize Tough Ties – a tie that could withstand these everyday challenges and still look as good as new.
Kevin and Skylar invested significant time and effort into developing Tough Ties. They conducted extensive research and developed a machine-washable, stain-repellent tie prototype. The tie was designed with a microfiber tip that could be used to clean glasses, adding an extra utility feature to the product.
After successful trials and positive feedback on their innovative product, they launched it in 2017. The business started under Tough Ties but rebranded to Tough Apparel in July 2021.
Before appearing on Shark Tank, Tough Ties had already made a mark in the market, with sales of $208000 in the previous year (2018) and a projection of $400,000 for 2019.
Despite being in debt of $150,000 and having invested $43,000 at the initial stage of the business, Kevin and Skylar remained confident about the potential of their product.
Their appearance on Shark Tank aimed at securing an investment that could help them scale up their operations, expand their product range, and strengthen their presence in the market. They asked for $100,000 in exchange for 15% equity in their company.
How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of Tough Ties?
The founders of Tough Ties, Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett, presented their unique product on Season 11 of The Shark Tank, seeking an investment of $100,000 for a 15% equity stake in their company, valuing the company at $666,666.
They pitched Tough Ties as customizable, kid-proof, and water-resistant ties, stitched five times for enhanced durability and printed in-house for complete control over quality and design. This unique feature set targeted individuals seeking solutions to common tie maintenance issues, like spills and stains.
At the time of the presentation, the business was achieving considerable sales – about $200,000 year-to-date – but was not yet profitable due to high customer acquisition costs.
Despite this, the founders held firm to their vision of the product’s potential, believing that the unique attributes of Tough Ties would win over the Sharks.
However, the pitch received mixed reactions from the Sharks. Mark Cuban was the first to bow out, expressing that the difference between Tough Ties and regular ties was not significant enough for him.
Daymond John followed, arguing that the product was too niche and didn’t offer more value than regular ties.
Lori Greiner also withdrew, citing her lack of involvement in the tie business, while Kevin O’Leary failed to see a profitable path for the company, leading him to bow out as well.
This left Robert Herjavec as the only remaining Shark. He saw potential in the product and offered $100,000 but asked for a higher equity stake of 35%.
In response, the founders attempted to negotiate for a lesser equity stake, proposing 25% and then 33.3%, but Robert stood firm on his original offer. Left with no other options, Kevin and Skylar accepted Robert’s deal.
However, following the show, it was revealed that the deal with Robert Herjavec never materialized. Despite this setback, the founders renamed Tough Ties to Tough Apparel and expanded their product range to include socks, ratchet belts, and shirts.
Despite not securing a deal in the Shark Tank, they achieved an impressive annual revenue of approximately $4 million, demonstrating that the founders’ faith in their product was not misplaced.
What Happened To Tough Ties After Shark Tank?
After appearing on Shark Tank, the business journey of Tough Ties took an interesting turn. Despite securing a deal on the show with Robert Herjavec, who offered $100,000 for a 35% stake in the company, the deal did not eventually close.
Regardless of this outcome, exposure to Shark Tank led to a significant boost in the popularity of Tough Ties. The company received a considerable surge in website traffic and customer interest, positively reflecting their sales.
Recognizing the opportunity to expand their product range and market reach, the founders, Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett, decided to rebrand their company as “Tough Apparel” in July 2021.
Under the new brand, the company started offering a broader range of products. Alongside their flagship product, the Tough Ties, they added socks, ratchet belts, casual shirts, and dresses to their catalog. This expansion signified their ambition to venture beyond ties and establish themselves in the wider durable and inventive clothing market.
This pivot proved to be successful. The company’s annual revenue surged significantly, and according to a 2022 report, Tough Apparel was generating an estimated annual revenue of $4 million.
The growth demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of the founders and the fact that even without the finalization of the Shark Tank deal, they could take their business to new heights.
Despite the initial setback, Kevin and Skylar transformed Tough Ties into a thriving business, demonstrating that a unique product concept and persistent effort can lead to success.
Tough Ties Shark Tank Update
After appearing on Shark Tank, Tough Ties, founded by Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett, underwent significant transformations. The company secured a deal with Robert Herjavec for $100,000 in exchange for a 35% equity stake.
However, this deal did not come to fruition. The founders rebranded their business as Tough Apparel in July 2021. They diversified their product line, expanding beyond ties to offer socks, ratchet belts, and various clothing items, including dresses and casual shirts.
This strategic expansion contributed to their remarkable success. By 2022, Tough Apparel reported an estimated annual revenue of $4 million. Their products, including the Tough Ties, maintained their core features of stain resistance and machine washability.
Despite not finalizing the Shark Tank deal, the company managed to sustain and significantly enhance its business, carving a niche in the clothing market with innovative and resilient products.
Is Tough Ties Still In Business?
Our research shows that Tough Ties, now known as Tough Apparel, is still in business. The company has continued to thrive and expand its product line even after its appearance on Shark Tank.
Despite not closing the deal with Robert Herjavec on the show, founders Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett have still managed to grow their business significantly. Their unique, durable, stylish ties have garnered attention and positive customer reviews worldwide.
Beyond its initial ties offering, Tough Apparel has expanded its product line to include men’s fashion accessories. They now offer bowties, shirts, and more. This has allowed them to reach a larger customer base and build a more robust brand.
In terms of sales, the company has been quite successful. They hit $2 million in annual revenue in 2022 and have sold over a thousand ties. They aim to continue growing and increasing these figures in the coming years.
Their strong presence on social media platforms like Instagram, with over 35,000 followers, demonstrates their ongoing success and popularity. Through these platforms, they’ve connected with customers, shared updates about new products, and showcased their unique offerings.
So, while the deal with Robert Herjavec didn’t close as seen on Shark Tank, Tough Apparel has still managed to find success and continue operations. The company’s resilience and ability to adapt demonstrate that they’re still in business and doing well.
What Is the Net Worth Of Tough Ties?
According to our research, the net worth of Tough Ties, aka Tough Apparel, is estimated to be $3 million. The valuation of Tough Ties, aka Tough Apparel, was a little over $285,000 after securing an investment from Robert Herjavec on Shark Tank.
Also, read about other businesses that appeared on Season 11 of Shark Tank:
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- Fur Oil Shark Tank Update | Fur Oil Net Worth
- Eterneva Shark Tank Update | Eterneva Net Worth
- Plop Star Shark Tank Update | Plop Star Net Worth
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