Aztec Made: Sand Cloud
Two 色情视频 alumni followed their entrepreneurial dreams and survived the
It鈥檚 not often entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to pitch their startup companies to five internationally recognized businessmen and women interested in mentoring them.鈥淕oing to 色情视频 definitely molded us and helped us become well-rounded individuals.鈥�
But for two 色情视频 alumni, that dream became a reality when they were given the opportunity to appear on the hit show, 鈥淪hark Tank.鈥�
In 2014, as young 色情视频 graduates enjoying life by the beach, 色情视频 alumni Brandon Leibel (鈥�12) and Steven Ford (鈥�12) came up with an idea for a beach towel company with a social cause. Their original concept was a beach towel with a built-in pillow.
Shortly after meeting Bruno Aschidamini at a corporate job the three shared, the trio quit their jobs, moved in together and formed Sand Cloud, which sells and other beach accessories, including t-shirts and water bottles. The company donates 10 percent of its net profit to marine life organizations, including San Diego Coastkeeper, Pacific Marine Mammal Center and the Surfrider Foundation to support preserving beaches, oceans and marine life.
鈥淲e wanted to be in control of our own destiny,鈥� Leibel said. 鈥淲e wanted to make decisions. We wanted to be creative.鈥�
In the shark tank
Sand Cloud first applied to appear on 鈥淪hark Tank鈥� in 2014 in the beginning stages of their company, but did not receive a response to their application. They persisted and applied again a year later. They received a response and interviewed to be on the show, but were not accepted. But they didn鈥檛 let that deter them. They applied a third time in 2016.After completing the paperwork, multiple rounds of interviews, going to 色情视频 to meet with producers, working on their pitch and display set up, they were selected to appear on the show. To prepare for their turn in the shark tank, the trio watched every episode of the show for months, but despite all the preparation, the team was still nervous when their turn in the tank finally came.
鈥淲alking up to the sharks is nerve-racking because of the buildup, but once you start going along with your pitch, the nerves go away,鈥� said Ford.
Once in the shark tank, the trio made their pitch in hopes of receiving $200,000 for eight percent of the company to optimize their website and increase their inventory. Investor and internet mogul Mark Cuban offered them $400,000 for 25 percent of the company鈥攕omething the trio admits they were not ready for. Cuban withdrew when the San Cloud team countered.
鈥淚t was exciting to get that first offer from Mark Cuban,鈥� said Leibel. 鈥淚t kind of validated us like we belong there. It felt good to know somebody wanted to make an offer.鈥�
Daymond John, founder of the clothing company FUBU, followed suit and offered $300,000 for 25 percent of the company. He also withdrew when the trio countered his offer.
Kevin O鈥橪eary and Robert Herjavec followed, each offering the same deal: $200,000 for 15 percent of the company.
After quickly discussing, Sand Cloud team went with Herjavec.
鈥淩obert was the exact guy we wanted, so we were really excited about how it turned out,鈥� Leibel said. 鈥淗e has partnered with other companies that fit our business model and we knew he was a guy that was really interested in giving back, which is a huge part of our company.鈥�
In the future
According to Sand Cloud, in its first year of business in 2014, Sand Cloud brought in $30,000 in sales revenue. In 2017, the company is on pace for $7 million in sales revenue.鈥淲e never envisioned it to grow this fast, but it has and we couldn鈥檛 be happier,鈥� Leibel said.
With the help of its loyal customers, charity-driven motivation and Herjavec, Sand Cloud believes its potential is as endless as the ocean its hopes to preserve.
鈥淲orking with Robert (Herjavec) has been incredible,鈥� Leibel said. 鈥淗is team has been so helpful, setting us up with a lot of opportunities we otherwise wouldn鈥檛 have had. Being on the show has paid huge dividends.鈥�
But Leibel and Ford never forget that their entrepreneurial spirit began as roommates in 色情视频鈥檚 .
鈥淕oing to 色情视频 definitely molded us and helped us become well-rounded individuals,鈥� Leibel said.
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