DamnDog
DamnDog

This week, Tilman Fertitta meets with New Orleans-native Kicker Kalozdi of DamnDog.

DamnDog is a men’s handbag company and, according to their website, “Each item is inspired by legendary design, then perfected with modern, functional features.” The bags feature top-shelf leather, swamp canvas, double stitched seams and much more. The various bags include haversacks, shave kits, work bags and rucksacks. On top of the variety of offerings, DamnDog also donates a percentage of all sales to a different charity each year. According to their website, “It is our little way of showing that we give a damn about more than just bags.” Bags cost anywhere from $50 to $190.

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Kicker hopes to get out of his parents’ shadow, who are both in the bag business. They did $50,000 in sales this year. Visiting their first store, Fertitta notes that he believes the prices are too high. He hopes to put the bags to the test with Bubba Gump retail customers.

In their New Orleans shop, customers immediately point out that the bags are way too expensive. They make one sale for one of their least expensive items. Fertitta says the price point must be lowered, which Kicker is reluctant to do. He ultimately agrees to test the bags at no more than $50.

After meeting Kicker’s family and presenting new products, including a padded portfolio and tote bag, Fertitta says the new products “do nothing” for him. He selects specific products from the DamnDog collection to test at his retail stores.

In the boardroom, Kicker says Fertitta was “difficult to work with” and Fertitta says his regular bags outperformed DamnDog, which only had 10 sales. Kicker offers a 10 percent discount, which is not enough for Fertitta. Ultimately, Fertitta says he likes the bags but does not make an offer given that he failed to lower the price point.

According to CNBC, the reality television show “introduces promising companies across the country to one of America’s most successful businessmen: billionaire hospitality mogul Tilman Fertitta, Chairman, CEO, and sole shareholder of Landry’s, Inc.” Featured entrepreneurs present their small business to Fertitta in the hopes that he will place a large purchase order. But before they make their pitch, they must prove to the hospitality mogul that their product is worth it through challenges and customer feedback.

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What did you think of the DamnDog owner’s attitude and his unwillingness to lower his price point? Do you think Fertitta should have made an offer? Sound off in the comments section below!