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loving the outdoors and country living, “John Deere was the Episode Four. The Sharks bit and they got a deal from
closest lifestyle brand” says Shon. He adds, “Hill Billy Daymond John, Robert Herjavec and “Hill Billy” himself, Jeff
represents the country lifestyle and outdoor living.” Foxworthy. The Shark Tank deals in the early days of the show
were a bit more one-sided than the partnerships of today’s
Shon and Mike thought it would be a good idea to put the
logo on hats and t-shirts. They sold these Hill Billy brand hats guests. Co-founders Shon, the CEO and Mike, the President
and t-shirts out of the back of a pick-up truck at local events like needed manufacturing, especially from Daymond John, but
the Davie Rodeo and Chili Cookoff. The local popularity and instead, the final deal was more structured around licensing,
incoming cash of the Hill Billy apparel led them to national which they did not need. Also, the Sharks wanted 100%
events like the Country Music ownership and a percentage of sales. They amicably parted
Awards (CMA) in Nashville,
the Kentucky Derby, and the
Cowboy Christmas in Las
Vegas. “It was like going to a
party and coming home with
suitcases full of cash,”
remembers Shon. For two
people who were never in
the apparel business, they
tapped into an outdoor
lifestyle brand that made
people want to get a little dirt
on their boots. They decided
to pitch their Hill Billy apparel
to Tractor Supply. The pitch
was so successful that the Hill
Billy boys were about to get
a million-dollar order to fill.
What they did not realize
was all the other ancillaries
like hangers, tags, and
packaging that were also
needed but would be sourced
overseas.“ The problem with
overseas manufacturers is
you never know what is
coming until it gets here…
what condition it will be in,”
says Shon. They needed
manufacturing help! It was
time to dive into the new
show, Shark Tank.

So, in 2011 Shon wrote to
Shark Tank and lo and
behold, the two co-founders
were accepted and flew to
Los Angeles for the filming.
The Hill Billy pitch was the
first episode to be filmed in
Season Two, but aired as

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