Firefighter Turnout Bags
Firefighter Turnout Bags

Last into the tank are Niki and Matt Rasor of Firefighter Turnout Bags, seeking $250,000 for 33 percent equity.

Firefighter Turnout Bags uses expired firefighter gear and, in recycling them, creates stylish bags. According to their website, after Rasor’s husband asked her to remove a pocket from his turnout coat, she became inspired and “started getting crafty.” There are now more than 100 designs, ranging from pouches to an everyday bag to backpacks and more. Custom bags range in price from $65 for a wallet to $315 for a duffel bag.

After making many mistakes early on, Rasor is ready to do it right—starting by finally getting the chance to pitch on “Shark Tank.” They did $194,000 in sales last year.

Kevin O’Leary thinks they need a manager and the sharks worry about their intention to mass produce patterned bags. Despite the fact that it would help lower their costs, they find that avenue less authentic to their brand given that they wouldn’t actually be using firefighter gear as the material. Given the challenges, Daymond John goes out, followed by Mark Cuban and O’Leary.

Robert Herjavec worries about her ability to run and scale the business but offers to buy the entire thing for $500,000. Lori Greiner loves her passion and offers $250,000 for 50 percent, with the intent to donate a percentage of every sale to firefighter charities. Ultimately, they accept Greiner’s offer.

Social Media Reacts to Firefighter Turnout Bags’ Appearance on “Shark Tank”

Each week on “Shark Tank,” budding entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their emerging business to six multi-millionaire and billionaire investors, known as sharks: Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks; Daymond John, fashion mogul and founder of FUBU; Kevin O’Leary, self-proclaimed Mr. Wonderful and founder of O’Leary Financial Group; Barbara Corcoran, real estate maven; Lori Greiner, queen of QVC; and Robert Herjavec, technology guru and founder/CEO of the Herjavec Group. Venture capitalist Chris Sacca is also slated to appear as a guest shark this season.

“Shark Tank,” which is based on “Dragons’ Den,” is produced by Mark Burnett and first debuted in 2009. To date, the sharks have invested more than $87 million in various companies after engaging in numerous bidding wars and shark fights. A new episode airs each Friday at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Would you buy a bag from Firefighter Turnout Bags? Sound off in the comments section below!