Mike Fox and Pat Hughes created The Wingman, a slim, inflatable life jacket designed for water sports enthusiasts.

In 2018, they appeared on Shark Tank seeking $200,000 for 12.5% equity but left without securing a deal. Despite this, The Wingman has thrived, expanding its product line to include apparel and hydration bladders.

As of 2025, the company generates approximately $1.5 million in annual revenue, and net worth is approximately $1 million. Their innovative design continues to gain popularity among water sports enthusiasts.

The Wingman Life Jacket Net Worth

Net worth$1 million (2025)
Annual Sales Revenue$1.5 million (2025)
Lifetime salesNot publicly available
InvestorNone
FounderMike Fox and Pat Hughes
EmployeesNot publicly available

The Wingman Life Jacket Pitch on Shark Tank

Company nameThe Wingman Life Jacket
ProductLife Jackets
EpisodeSeason 9 Episode 19
Founders Mike Fox and Pat Hughes
Asked for$200,000 for 12.5% equity
Final dealNone
Shark None
LocationUSA

Don’t miss these products from Season 09

The Wingman Life Jacket Founders

Mike Fox and Pat Hughes found The Wingman Life Jacket in 2008. They are two lifelong friends and adventure seekers.

They both grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and they have been passionate about water sports since they were children.The Wingman Life Jacket’s founders, Mike Fox and Pat Hughes, have a net worth of $1 million as of 2025.

Key accomplishments

YearAccomplishment
2018Appeared on Shark Tank season 09.
2019The Wingman Life Jacket is featured in an article in The New York Times Magazine.
2020The Wingman Life Jacket is named one of the best new products of the year by Men’s Health Magazine.

Conclusion

From their beginnings on Shark Tank to their current status as a thriving business, they have proven that with the right idea and execution, anything is possible. We can’t wait to see the future for The Wingman Life Jacket and its continued success.

ABOUT KESARA BANDARAGODA
Kesara Bandaragoda is a Sri Lankan-born media entrepreneur currently based in Dubai, with a lifelong passion for storytelling, innovation, and all things screen-worthy. Whether it's a mind-bending sci-fi epic or the latest startup pitch on Shark Tank, Kesara is all in. In fact, he was one of the earliest content creators to cover Shark Tank Australia online and has been tracking its businesses, products, and founders since 2019 — long before it was cool.

Kesara is the visionary CEO behind BrandFactory, a digital media company powering multiple content platforms that reach millions. When he’s not leading a team of creatives, he’s often geeking out over Marvel and DC universes, decoding Spielberg's directorial magic, or revisiting classics like The Shawshank Redemption, Interstellar, and Pirates of the Caribbean (yes, he's a Johnny Depp loyalist).

INDUSTRY FOCUS
Kesara’s writing and content leadership often focus on the intersection of entrepreneurship, entertainment, and emerging digital cultures. He’s particularly passionate about telling stories that celebrate founders, dissect business blueprints from media narratives, and spark curiosity in audiences across the globe.

FAVORITE MEDIA
A sci-fi enthusiast with a taste for high-stakes storytelling, Kesara’s favorite titles range from cerebral time-space odysseys to charismatic pirate adventures. He thrives in content that mixes real-world business insight with the spectacle of entertainment — think Shark Tank meets Black Mirror, with a touch of Marvel heroics.

Similar Posts