See The Way I See
NO DEAL
EPISODE SUMMARY
🕓 Air Date: May 5, 2023
Asking For:
$250,000 for 10%
Investor:
No Deal
Deal:
No Deal
PRODUCT SUMMARY
See The Way I See is a size-inclusive mental-health-awareness clothing brand that adds reassuring reminders to the sleeves of clothing and offers a range of mental health-themed products.
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Background Story
Sophie Nistico, a resident of Trumbull, Connecticut, created See The Way I See to destigmatize mental health. Her journey began with a passion for helping others and her ambition to become a nurse. However, during her high school years, she developed severe anxiety, which intensified during her sophomore year of nursing school. To cope with her anxiety, she turned to art, using $500 to purchase a printer and a sticker-cutting machine, designing and selling mental health-based stickers.
Her initial success allowed her to fund her first order of sweatshirts. To her surprise, she sold 100 sweatshirts within just two days, thanks to her effective use of social media. Sophie built a strong online community and leveraged her art, shared under the brand name “See The Way I See,” to connect with her followers and raise awareness about mental health. She aims to break down the stigma surrounding common mental health struggles.
The Product
See The Way I See offers size-inclusive mental health-themed clothing and products. The signature feature is the addition of reassuring reminders on the sleeves of clothing, providing wearers with a positive boost.
In addition to sweatshirts, the brand offers rings, stickers, keychains, and more with similar affirmations. The products are designed to be both fashionable and supportive, allowing individuals to carry these reminders with them throughout the day.
Sophie conducts product drops, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity, and relies on social media to promote these drops. Crew necks are sold for $60 retail and cost $21 to make, while hoodies are priced at $75 and cost $25 to produce.
How It Went
The company’s position before Shark Tank
In the year she pitched on the show, See The Way I See had already achieved $260,000 in sales in just 24 hours, indicating a strong demand for the brand. Sophie operates the business single-handedly but had managed to generate substantial revenue.
Year-to-date sales for that year were $790,000, and Sophie had amassed $450,000 in her bank account, primarily reinvesting her profits to fuel her company’s growth. The company had previously reported annual sales of $900,000, with a profit of $115,000, and $640,000 with a profit of $235,000 in the preceding years.
The Negotiations:
Sophie initially sought $250,000 for 10% equity in her business. Kevin O’Leary was quick to praise her accomplishments and declared himself “out” of the deal because he believed Sophie didn’t need help. He stated that she was already doing better than 90% of the entrepreneurs who pitch on the show. Lori Greiner also commended Sophie’s success but chose not to invest, feeling that Sophie didn’t need a Shark.
Mark Cuban was the only Shark who made an offer, offering $450,000 for 20% equity. However, he later retracted his offer when Sophie expressed her desire for guidance, emphasizing that she felt the need for a mentor. He believed that Sophie’s community could support her effectively, making a Shark unnecessary.
The other Sharks, Barbara Corcoran, and John, praised Sophie for her achievements but also opted not to invest. In the end, Sophie did not secure a deal with any of the Sharks and left the Tank with a boost in self-confidence and a renewed sense of her capabilities.
