Quick Shark Tank Update on 1920 (NineteenTwenty)
- Shark Tank Appearance: Season 16, Episode 4, featuring founders Ashley and Zach Sankar.
- Initial Ask: $250,000 for 10% equity.
- Deal Outcome: Secured a deal with Robert Herjavec for $250,000 in exchange for 25% equity.
- Annual Sales (2023): $505,000, with a projected year-end growth to $750,000.
- Product Line: Convertible jackets and skirts priced between $72 and $298, designed to transform into bags, blankets, or pillows.
- Achievements: Over 66 million views on social media, viral success, and winner of the “Most Innovative Award” at GCU’s Canyon Ventures event.
NineteenTwenty Clothing, founded by Ashley and Zach Sankar, is revolutionizing outerwear with multifunctional designs. A former U.S. Army logistics officer, Ashley combined her military-honed problem-solving skills with a personal need for versatile clothing.
She shared, “The military taught me a lot of discipline and gave me a lot of grit.” With its fashionable, functional pieces, NineteenTwenty’s flagship products transform from jackets to bags, blankets, and more.
These products offer what Ashley calls “stylish and fashionable jackets” that make life easier for customers with “hectic schedules.
” Now, with Shark Tank’s Robert Herjavec backing the company, NineteenTwenty is set to redefine convertible clothing.
Ready to experience outerwear that adapts to your lifestyle? Discover NineteenTwenty’s latest collection today.
1920 (NineteenTwenty) Journey Before Shark Tank
Ashley Sankar’s journey began out of necessity. As she put it,
“When you start your own business, you must prepare for many ‘nos’ until you hopefully get a yes.”
A frequent traveler, she needed clothing that could easily adapt to daily challenges. In 2016, she patented the concept of a jacket that could transform into a tote bag.
This idea laid the foundation for NineteenTwenty. Officially launched in 2022, the brand initially relied on Ashley’s savings and her husband Zach’s support to develop products.
Their direct-to-consumer model created exclusivity, with quarterly “drops” that sold out quickly due to limited supply.
Their viral video, which amassed over 66 million views, boosted the brand’s visibility without incurring any paid advertising costs.
Ashley commented, “We didn’t invest any funds in paid advertising; we wanted to purchase additional products with whatever funds we had available.”
This organic success translated into $505,000 in sales during their first year. They achieved a profit of $82,000 after expenses, including $15,000 in shipping.
However, limited cash flow forced them to fund each new drop entirely from the last one’s earnings. This restriction kept production to quarterly releases and prevented faster growth.
The product lineup includes convertible jackets ranging from $72 to $298 and skirts. All items are offered in sizes from XS to 5X, promoting inclusivity.
These items appeal to travelers, commuters, and outdoor enthusiasts needing functional yet stylish clothing options.
Shark Tank Pitch Recap
In their Shark Tank appearance, Ashley and Zach pitched NineteenTwenty’s convertible jackets, seeking $250,000 for a 10% equity stake, valuing their brand at $2.5 million.
The pitch demonstrated how their jackets could transform into blankets, tote bags, and even pillows. These features made the jackets ideal for travelers and city dwellers.
Ashley highlighted the brand’s social media success, sharing that “66 million people viewed our debut video” and emphasized their unique approach:
“We didn’t use sponsored media; we solely sold our coats to consumers directly.”
While the Sharks praised the innovation, concerns arose about production limitations due to cash flow constraints. This situation led to limited product drops.
Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary questioned the duo’s part-time commitment and urged them to focus solely on NineteenTwenty.
Kevin offered $250,000 for 30% equity, noting his concerns about customer acquisition and their focus. However, Robert Herjavec was impressed by their hard work, sharing, “I believe in your potential.”
Robert offered $250,000 for 25% equity, underscoring his belief in their potential despite production challenges.
Ashley and Zach initially countered with 20% equity, but Robert held firm at 25%. After considering Robert’s faith in their vision, they accepted his offer.
1920 (NineteenTwenty) Shark Tank Update
Following the episode’s airing, NineteenTwenty experienced a surge in demand. They quickly capitalized on the exposure with a 30% discount for Shark Tank viewers.
Website traffic spiked, leading to an influx of orders, scheduled for November-December delivery. With Robert’s backing, they increased production and addressed previous supply constraints.
NineteenTwenty achieved additional success by winning the “Most Innovative Award” at Grand Canyon University’s Canyon Ventures event. The award recognized its convertible jacket as a revolutionary concept.
In early 2024, they held a New York City pop-up event on Presidents’ Weekend. This generated over $27,000 in sales. Given its success, the brand planned another pop-up for November.
Ashley reflected on this phase, stating, “The pitch competition gave me the confidence to pitch my business to other supporters, potential investors, and consumers!”
Future Plans
Looking forward, NineteenTwenty aims to expand its product offerings and improve inventory management to meet the growing demand.
With Robert Herjavec’s guidance, Ashley and Zach plan to add new colors and styles to the popular Dream Puffers collection. The brand will host additional pop-up events and explore new distribution channels.
This approach will enhance its reach on social media, capturing a broader customer base. Ashley is determined to maintain the brand’s inclusivity and functionality, ensuring products cater to all body types, as reflected in the wide range of sizes offered.
Closing Remarks
NineteenTwenty’s journey from concept to Shark Tank success showcases the brand’s unique approach to functionality and style.
Reflecting on their journey, Ashley said, “We created NineteenTwenty to assist individuals in their daily lives.” With Robert Herjavec on board, Ashley and Zach are set to achieve even greater milestones.
They continually innovate and redefine outerwear for modern consumers. Stay tuned as NineteenTwenty transforms outerwear one convertible jacket at a time.
We’re closely following the company to bring you valuable insights. Stay tuned for the latest updates on NineteenTwenty!
Feature Image Credit: @abc/@christopherwillard