Picture this: You’ve planned the perfect weekend camping trip. The excitement is high, but as soon as you start setting up, frustration kicks in. The gear is bulky, complicated, and clearly not made with you in mind.
That’s exactly what Maddy and Kali, two outdoor-loving best friends, experienced every time they went camping. Instead of accepting it, they decided to change the game.
They created Tilda Outdoors, a brand that makes stylish, easy-to-use swags designed for women who want to enjoy the outdoors, without the hassle.
Camping is having a moment, and Tilda Outdoors is making sure women are part of it. Founded by popular outdoors influencer Maddy Bockett and navy medic Kali, this brand was born out of their frustration with the lack of camping gear designed for women.
Their swags are built for comfort, style, and ease of use, perfect for the everyday Aussie girl looking to embrace outdoor adventures.
Just months after launching, they caught the attention of Shark Tank Australia, where they landed a major investment. If you love the outdoors but hate the hassle, Tilda Swags might just be your new adventure essential!
Tilda Outdoors Journey Before Shark Tank
Tilda Outdoors wasn’t just a business idea. It was a solution to a long-overlooked problem in the outdoor industry.
The idea came to Maddy and Kali during their own camping trips when they realized that most camping gear felt designed for men.
As they gained more confidence in the outdoors, they wanted equipment that was functional, stylish, and easy to use. But they couldn’t find anything that fit.
“Our goal from the beginning was to foster a whole generation of women adventuring outdoors and create a community to inspire confidence in camping. To break the barrier between the outdoor industry and femininity.”
When they launched Tilda Outdoors, they had no idea how big the response would be.
“What we didn’t anticipate was how many women in our first month of launch would fall in love with Tilda as much as we did.”
In just two months, Tilda Outdoors had already sold 120 swags, with 45 of them going to camping retailers. Their brand also exploded on social media, gaining 60,000 followers in record time. Clearly, they had tapped into a market that had been completely overlooked.
But Tilda’s swags weren’t just about aesthetics. They were designed with practicality, durability, and simplicity in mind.
“We’ve made specific elements and tweaks in our design that we believe improve this customer experience. Our focus is expanding quality enough, but still staying in a price point of affordability.”
With a product built for easy setup, all-weather durability, and maximum comfort, they were ready to take their business to the next level. That meant stepping onto Shark Tank Australia.
Shark Tank Pitch Recap
Maddy and Kali walked into Shark Tank Australia with confidence. They leveraged their strong social media presence and clear branding. But it wasn’t long before the Sharks started asking tough questions.
The moment that caught everyone’s attention? Rob Keldoulis’s blunt question:
“It’s a swag, mostly like any other swag, just in pink?”
A long, uncomfortable pause followed. Then, Kali answered simply:
“Yes.”
The tension in the room was thick. Rob, grinning at the honesty, pushed further, “So the difference is the colour?”
It could have been a deal-breaking moment, but Maxine Horne jumped in to lighten the mood. She climbed into one of the swags and growled playfully in her leopard-print outfit. Soon, the other Sharks were calling her a “cougar.”
After the laughs, the serious business questions came. The Sharks questioned their $500,000 valuation and low sales numbers.
Maxine and Rob dropped out. Nick Bell liked Maddy and Kali as business founders but didn’t see how Tilda could scale into a large company.
Then came Davie Fogarty, the founder of The Oodie. He didn’t sugarcoat his thoughts:
“There’s nothing unique about the product…”
But just when it seemed like he was out, he surprised everyone:
“But I love investing in great entrepreneurs. I love investing in entrepreneurs that understand content.”
He made an offer: $100,000 for 33%.
Jane Lu matched the offer.
Now, Maddy and Kali had a decision to make. They deeply respected Davie and his success. They even told him, “Davie, we do really appreciate and we love everything you do so so so much…BUT…”
They chose Jane Lu as their investor.
Tilda Outdoors Shark Tank Update
The Shark Tank effect kicked in immediately. Website traffic soared, social media engagement skyrocketed, and sales surged.
The episode introduced thousands of new customers to Tilda Outdoors. This proved that women wanted camping gear made for them.
Beyond the numbers, the partnership with Jane Lu brought invaluable mentorship and business expansion opportunities.
With her experience, they could scale production, expand retail partnerships, and refine their branding even further.
Future Plans
With $100,000 in funding and Jane Lu’s guidance, Tilda Outdoors is setting its sights on bigger goals.
- Expanding their product range to include more female-focused camping gear and accessories
- Growing their retail partnerships beyond the 45 initial stores
- Boosting their online presence with influencer collaborations and engaging content
- Exploring international markets, where female campers face similar struggles
The demand for women-friendly camping gear is clear. Tilda Outdoors is ready to lead the way.
Closing Thoughts
Tilda Outdoors is more than just a brand. It’s a movement that empowers women to embrace adventure. What started as a personal frustration turned into a thriving business. This proved there was a massive demand for better camping gear for women.
Their Shark Tank journey wasn’t perfect. There were awkward moments and tough questions. But in the end, they walked away with a $100,000 investment, an incredible mentor, and a fast-growing community of women who believe in their vision.
With new products, retail expansion, and a stronger-than-ever mission, Tilda Outdoors is only getting started. Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of their adventure!
