Biography of Kevin Shoemaker & Skylar Bennett: Founder of Tough Tie -Entrepreneur
Biography of Kevin Shoemaker & Skylar Bennett:
Birth of Tough Tie
Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett, both professionals in
commercial real estate, faced a common struggle—keeping their ties clean and
intact. As working dads, their kids would often tug, spill, and make a mess of
their ties. Frustrated by the need to frequently replace expensive ties, they
came up with the idea of creating stain-resistant, machine-washable, and
ultra-durable ties, which led to the birth of Tough Tie.
Early Challenges and Innovations
Their goal was to design ties that could withstand daily
wear and tear while still looking stylish. Unlike traditional ties, Tough Tie
products were stitched five times for extra durability and featured
water-resistant properties. These ties could be customized and printed
in-house, allowing customers to add a personal touch.
Taking a Leap of Faith
Kevin and Skylar were so confident in their business that
they decided to pursue it full-time. They quit their jobs, poured in $43,000 of
their own savings, and even sold their homes to fund the company. However,
despite their dedication, the business had not yet become profitable, making it
difficult to support their families.
Entering the Shark Tank
In hopes of scaling their business, Kevin and Skylar
appeared on Shark Tank USA, Season 11, seeking a $100,000 investment for 15%
equity in their company. Their pitch focused on how Tough Tie solved a real
problem for working professionals and parents alike.
Sharks Show Interest, But Have Doubts
While their product impressed the Sharks, not all of them
saw it as a strong investment opportunity. Mark Cuban felt the difference
between their ties and regular ties wasn’t obvious enough. Daymond John found
the product too niche, and Lori Greiner didn’t see a fit for herself in the tie
business. Kevin O’Leary wasn’t convinced of its profitability.
Robert Herjavec Makes an Offer
Despite the skepticism, Robert Herjavec saw potential in the
business and made an offer of $100,000 for 35% equity. Kevin and Skylar
attempted to negotiate for a lower percentage, but Robert stood firm.
Eventually, they agreed to his original offer.
Biography of Kevin Shoemaker & Skylar Bennett: Founder of Tough Tie-Entrepreneur#startup#age#net worth#investor#shark tank#Tough Tie story
The Deal That Never Happened
Although the deal was finalized on the show, it never
materialized in real life. Like many Shark Tank deals, due diligence after the
show led to the investment falling through. However, this setback did not stop
Kevin and Skylar from moving forward.
A New Beginning: Tough Apparel
Instead of dwelling on the missed opportunity, they decided
to rebrand from Tough Tie to Tough Apparel and expand their product line. This
shift allowed them to reach a broader audience beyond just tie-wearers.
Expanding the Product Line
Tough Apparel introduced new products such as performance
athleisure pants, shirts, ratchet belts, and socks. They focused on providing
apparel that gave people confidence and comfort while maintaining the same
durability as their original ties.
Struggles with Profitability
During their Shark Tank appearance, the company had already
done $450,000 in sales that year but only managed to generate $40,000 in
profit. The main issue was the high cost of acquiring new customers, which
required spending $10,000 a month on advertising.
Smart Marketing Strategies
Despite these challenges, their advertising efforts yielded
a 200% return on investment, helping them gain new customers. Most of their
sales came through their Tough Tie website, allowing them to maintain control
over pricing and branding.
Family Support and Sacrifices
With six kids between them, Kevin and Skylar relied heavily
on the support of their wives, who worked full-time while they focused on
growing the business. Their journey was filled with sacrifices, but they
remained committed to making their company a success.
Turning the Business Around
By expanding their product offerings and refining their
marketing strategy, they were able to grow Tough Apparel to $4 million in
annual revenue. Their focus on quality, durability, and confidence-boosting
apparel resonated with customers.
The Road Ahead
Tough Apparel continues to evolve, consistently introducing
new product categories while staying true to its core mission—helping people
look and feel their best every day. Their perseverance has transformed a simple
idea into a thriving business.
Lessons from Their Journey
Kevin and Skylar’s story is a testament to resilience,
adaptability, and the power of belief. From selling their homes to facing
rejections, they proved that setbacks are just stepping stones to greater
success. Their journey shows that even without a Shark Tank deal, determination
and smart decisions can lead to incredible growth.
Timeline for story
2016 – Kevin Shoemaker and Skylar Bennett founded Tough Tie.
2018 – Quit jobs, invested $43,000, and sold homes to fund
the business.
2019 – Appeared on Shark Tank Season 11 and secured a deal
with Robert Herjavec.
2019 – Shark Tank deal fell through post-show due diligence.
2020 – Rebranded from Tough Tie to Tough Apparel and
expanded product line.
2023 – Tough Apparel reached $4 million in annual revenue.
