Mental health is more important now than ever. See The Way I See is a clothing brand supporting this movement. The company is known for its sweatshirts with reassuring text messages printed on the sleeves. They also sell other fashion products of a similar nature. Founder Sophie Nistico pitched her company on Shark Tank, but no deal came through. To date, See The Way I See is worth an estimated $3 million.
Sophie Nistico's background
Sophie Nistico is from Trumbull, Conn., studying health sciences at Sacred Heart University. Shortly after graduation, she started her own business.
At age 15, she experienced chronic migraines as many as 20 times a month. It took her a long time to realize that she had a severe anxiety disorder. As a result, destigmatizing mental health became the main motivation behind her clothing line.
Create “As I See It”
The Connecticut native started out as an Instagram artist, creating and promoting sticker designs. She creates art entirely from her perspective and names her page “See The Way I See.”
As the community grew, Sophie decided to expand into clothing. In her parents' basement, she designed and packaged sweatshirts in various sizes with messages of affirmation emblazoned on the sleeves. This got support from many people, so the founder made a new product.
Since 2017, See The Way I See has grown from stickers to sweatshirts, T-shirts, sweatpants, jewelry, gift cards and stationery. As she grew, Sophie moved the business from the basement to the garage.
On “Shark Tank”
Sophie has documented her journey on platforms including Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Her many followers have watched her outgrow her family's two-car garage and move to a 6,500-square-foot warehouse.
The startup has grown steadily over the years. However, the business still encounters international shipping and replenishment issues. So the entrepreneur turned to outside investors for help.
Despite her nerves, Sophie delivered a powerful speech and was well prepared. At this point, the company has year-to-date sales of $2.3 million and more than $400,000 in the bank. The Sharks were surprised but made no offer as the 24-year-old didn't need any help.
Updated after Shark Tank
The episode aired in May 2023, and Sophie's orders increased significantly 48 hours later. She worked hard to fulfill the order and luckily the website didn't crash. Fans of the show are rooting for her because she comes across as a lovable person.
If you are interested in purchasing, check out their website SeeTheWayISee.com. They have a new collection coming soon and some classic designs are also in stock. Currently, they are partnering with Casetify to launch phone cases.
They had sold 50,000 units before appearing on the show. With the power of Shark Tank, it won’t be long before your sales double. Running a clothing brand is a daunting task, but Sophie's unique selling point is her connection with her audience. Anyone can start an e-commerce store, but few have the ability to grow a following organically.
Categories: Shark Tank
Source: svlsf.edu.vn