Shark Tank US | See The Way I See Entrepreneur Values Mental Health In Her Product

Summary

Sophie Nestico, founder of 'See the Way I See,' pitches her size-inclusive mental health awareness clothing brand to the Sharks, seeking $250,000 for 10% equity. The brand promotes positive affirmations through signature reminders on apparel and accessories. Sophie shares her journey of overcoming anxiety, using social media to build a strong, supportive community that drives sales. Despite impressive growth and strong sales figures, Sophie receives no investment, as the Sharks feel she doesn't need help and already excels. However, the experience boosts her confidence, proving that she is capable of much more than she ever thought.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sophie Nestico, the founder of See the Way I See, created a size-inclusive mental health awareness clothing brand aimed at normalizing mental health struggles.
• 😀 The brand uses positive affirmations on its products, like sweatshirts, rings, keychains, and stickers, to offer emotional support to individuals facing mental health challenges.
• 😀 Sophie started the business with just $500, using social media to grow her brand and selling mental health-themed stickers online before expanding to larger products like crewnecks and hoodies.
• 😀 The brand’s primary products are crewnecks ($60 retail, $21 production cost) and hoodies ($75 retail, $25 production cost), both featuring affirmations to help customers cope with anxiety and stress.
• 😀 Sales have been strong, with Sophie reaching $2.3 million in total sales and projecting $1 million in sales for the current year, thanks to her effective use of social media and community engagement.
• 😀 Sophie employs a monthly product drop model, creating urgency and excitement around her brand’s releases, which sell out quickly.
• 😀 The company operates without a significant advertising budget, relying instead on organic growth and community support via social media to drive sales.
• 😀 Sophie has reinvested her profits back into the business to fund growth, with $450,000 in profit currently in her bank account, as she plans for future drops.
• 😀 Despite lacking a formal business background, Sophie has successfully scaled her business, demonstrating entrepreneurial instinct and resilience.
• 😀 None of the Sharks on Shark Tank chose to invest, citing that Sophie’s business is already thriving and that she likely doesn't need outside investment, given her community-driven success and ability to scale.

Q & A

What is Sophie Nestico's business, and what is its core mission?

Sophie Nestico's business, *See the Way I See*, is a size-inclusive mental health awareness clothing brand. Its core mission is to normalize mental health struggles, destigmatize mental health challenges, and provide positive affirmations through clothing and accessories to support people in their daily lives.

How does *See the Way I See* incorporate mental health messages into its products?

The brand incorporates mental health messages by adding positive affirmations to the sleeves of sweatshirts, such as 'breathe in and breathe out' or 'this feeling too shall pass.' These messages are designed to offer reassurance and a mental boost to individuals facing anxiety or stress.

What were the initial steps Sophie took to launch her business?

Sophie initially had $500 in her bank account, which she used to buy a printer and a sticker-cutting machine. She began designing and selling mental health-themed stickers online and reinvested her profits until she could afford to purchase her first batch of crew necks. Her first product launch saw her sell 100 sweatshirts in just two days.

How did Sophie grow her business without spending money on advertising?

Sophie leveraged social media and her growing online community to promote her brand. She focused on organic community engagement rather than paid advertisements. By sharing her art and connecting with followers, Sophie created buzz around her product drops, resulting in quick sales.

What is Sophie's primary product, and what are the costs associated with it?

Sophie’s primary products are crewnecks and hoodies. The crewnecks are sold at $60 each and cost about $21 to produce, while the hoodies are priced at $75, with a production cost of approximately $25.

What sales figures did Sophie report during her *Shark Tank* pitch?

Sophie reported that her company had earned $790,000 in sales year-to-date. Over the course of her business, she has generated over $2.3 million in total sales, with projections for $1 million in sales for the current year and $1.75 million the following year.

Why did Sophie seek investment from the Sharks, and what was she looking for?

Sophie sought $250,000 in exchange for 10% of her business because, despite her success, she felt the need for a mentor and additional business guidance. She was unsure how to scale her business further and wanted to leverage the Sharks’ expertise.

What feedback did the Sharks give Sophie about her business and investment request?

The Sharks were impressed with Sophie’s self-made success but ultimately felt she didn’t need their investment. They praised her for building a strong community and growing her business without external help. Several Sharks, including Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, indicated that Sophie was already doing well on her own and that they couldn’t add much value to her company.

What was the final outcome of Sophie’s pitch, and why did she not secure an investment?

Sophie did not secure an investment because the Sharks believed she didn’t need their support. They acknowledged her impressive track record and entrepreneurial instincts, advising her to continue growing her business independently without the complications of adding a team or an investor.

How did Sophie feel after her *Shark Tank* appearance, and what did she learn from the experience?

After her *Shark Tank* appearance, Sophie felt a significant boost in self-confidence. Despite not receiving investment, the feedback from the Sharks validated her abilities and reassured her that she was on the right path. Sophie learned that she was capable of running and scaling her business on her own terms, and that her community was her strongest asset.