Fourteen-year-old entrepreneur, Sofia Overton, has revolutionized sock designs for the modern adolescent. Her patent-pending sock design features a pocket that is able to accommodate the storage of valuable items such as smartphone devices, EpiPens, inhalers, money, credit cards, keys, etc. This pocket provides an easy and secure place for valuables to be stored when clothing does not have pockets available or during any activity that involves excess movement.
When Sofia was 11 years old, she saw a family member store their smartphone in their boot during an activity. After trying this herself, she realized that it did not stay in place and was very uncomfortable. She went home and prototyped her first design of the WisePocket sock. Sofi hasn’t stopped there. She is currently also designing additional clothing designs such as leggings. As an added benefit to buying WisePocket socks, Sofi has included a social model that allows her to donate 1 pair of socks to children in need for every 1 pair of socks that are purchased. She believes that if children have warm feet, they will be reminded of the warm hearts of their community that is caring for them and looking after them.
Is it wise for the Sharks to invest in this Gen Z company? #SharkTank
— Shark Tank (@ABCSharkTank) January 13, 2020
Sofia came to the Shark Tank to partner with a Shark that can help her streamline her production (she currently can only produce 100 pairs per month). To do this, she feels that she would need a $30,000 investment in exchange for a 15% equity share of WisePocket Products. Although she is young, Sofia has invested $10,000 of her own money into the company. $5,000 was from savings and another $5,000 was from money that she earned from business competitions.
The Sharks are all impressed with her grit and perseverance, especially given her age. They also like that there are not many other competitors in this space that are capable of storing larger items like phones, medicines, etc. Because they are impressed by her work ethic and determination, Daymond John and Lori Greiner decided to partner with each other to extend Sofia a deal. They initially offered a $30,000 investment in exchange for 33.3% share. Their goal would be to move in the direction of licensing. She counters at $35,000 in exchange for 25% equity. They agree to her counter offer. Because Daymond is already in the sock business and Lori is the queen of retail, Sofia has strategically partnered herself with two Sharks that will take WisePocket Products far.
Nothing beats a solid counter offer. Congrats to @thesharkdaymond, @lorigreiner, and @wisepockets! #SharkTank
— Barbara Corcoran (@BarbaraCorcoran) January 13, 2020
I actually almost did a product like this several years ago. I didn’t and she did it better! You go Sofia @wisepockets! #SharkTank @ABCSharkTank
— Lori Greiner (@LoriGreiner) January 13, 2020
We say this all the time, a lot of deals that happen in the tank have to do a lot with the entrepreneur. You’re an inspiration and a hustler Sophie and I’m excited to be along this journey with you and @lorigreiner. #WisePockets #SharkTank
— Daymond John (@TheSharkDaymond) January 13, 2020
I always love to see a #kidtrepreneur in the tank. It’s an advantage to start your business when you’re young. You have nothing to lose and nowhere to go but up. #SharkTank
— Barbara Corcoran (@BarbaraCorcoran) January 13, 2020
What do you think of Sofia’s partnership arrangement with Lori and Daymond? Do you feel that they were the best Shark partners for WisePocket Products? Start the dialog in the comments below.
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Shark Tanks airs Sundays at 9pm on ABC.
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