By Ann Marie Shambaugh
As a self-proclaimed “huge fan” of the show Shark Tank, Ellie Brown knew what she and her sister could be up against: scalding criticism on network television from some of the nation’s most successful entrepreneurs.
They also knew that a favorable response could provide the spark their young businesses needed, so they took the risk. And despite their idea being called a “howling dog from hell” by billionaire Kevin O’Leary, they are glad they did.
“I’m very proud of what we did and the way we stood up to them,” said Brown, 40.
The Zionsville resident and her sister, Becca Nelson, who lives in Raleigh, N.C., run evREwares, which makes “sticky ties” and other high-quality, reusable stickers. Although several of the Shark Tank investors snubbed their idea, Dallas Maverick’s owner Mark Cuban offered to buy the entire company for $200,000. The episode ended with the sisters reluctantly deciding to sell their “baby.”
Shortly after the taping of the show in June 2014, the sisters decided that they couldn’t part with the company and cancelled the sale. Cuban, however, agreed to serve in an advisory role and quickly answers business questions from Brown and Nelson whenever they arise.
“I think they have an amazing opportunity,” Cuban said in an email. “I hope the visibility Shark Tank brought them will not only bring them sales but create relationships that can help them get even bigger.”
The sisters had to keep quiet about their appearance on the show until it aired Jan. 13, but in the next few days they saw sales jump 9,900 percent, Brown said. They hope to use the momentum from Shark Tank to continue marketing their products directly to consumers rather than major retailers, whom they believe may not know how to best market the unique products.
Despite walking away from the show without securing an investment, Brown believes the experience will pay off in other ways.
“I still think we have a viable business idea,” she said. “The fact that Mark Cuban saw something about it and decided that he wanted to buy it all out and contract us says a lot, so I’m glad we did it.”
‘We’re just normal people’
Brown, 40, grew up in Raleigh, N.C., where most of her family still resides. As a child, she remembers being convinced by Nelson, who is three and a half years older, to sell items at craft shows that the elder sibling had created.
“She was too shy, so that’s always the way it’s been,” Brown said. “She does the stuff, and I sell the stuff.”
In 2003 Brown moved to Zionsville, where she now lives with her husband and two sons, who attend Pleasant View Elementary. When she’s not working, she enjoys hiking with her family and attending Eagle Church in Whitestown.
Brown, who will continue to work from home 40+ hours a week, said she doesn’t know what’s next for evREwares, but she’s eager to find out.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” she said. “I’m right now enjoying the traffic we’re getting and interest we’re having. I’m going to make the most out of it and continue onward and upward.”
More than anything, Brown hopes that her exposure on Shark Tank will inspire other entrepreneurs that may be hesitant to take the next step in making their dream come true.
“People can relate to us,” Brown said. “There are probably people sitting there on a good idea and maybe they see we were able to take it to the next level. That might be some sort of inspiration for them, because we’re just normal people.”
What are sticky ties?
evREware’s signature product, sticky ties, are made of a water-proof woven polyester adhesive that resists tearing. Sticky tie designs for kids were the first items sold by the company, but other products include:
· Drink labels
· Baby’s first year stickers
· Sticky bow ties
· Sticky sashes
· Sticky words
Learn more at www.evrewares.com.
All About Ellie Brown
Favorite local restaurant: I’m an equal opportunist, but if I must choose, it is to hit Rosie’s for breakfast, Serenity for lunch and Patrick’s for dinner and call it a day.
Favorite color: orange
Birthplace: Yorktown, Va.
Favorite vacation location: Great Smoky Mountains
Names of spouse, kids: Jeff, Henry and Gus
Place of work: My house
Car: Traded my 10-year-old minivan for an SUV!
Most DVR’d TV show: Shark Tank – really!!!
Motto to live by: Want something done right? Do it yourself!
Early morning riser or night owl? Night owl for sure!
