Hand Out Gloves - Shark Tank Update

Outdoor equipment innovation sparked from personal frustration when entrepreneur Jake Sullivan noticed that outdoor enthusiasts were constantly removing their gloves in cold weather to perform tasks like using phones or handling gear, risking lost or wet gloves while exposing hands to dangerous temperatures, inspiring him to partner with accomplished businessman Don Wildman to create Hand Out Gloves as a revolutionary solution that would provide the warmth and protection of traditional winter gloves while incorporating strategically placed waterproof zippers that allowed users to free their fingers without removing the entire glove. Their ingenious design addressed multiple outdoor activity challenges by combining full insulation and waterproofing with unprecedented dexterity through patented zipper technology that opened to reveal individual fingers, creating versatile hand protection suitable for skiing, hunting, fishing, construction work, and any cold-weather activity where users needed both warmth and fine motor control without the traditional trade-offs that plagued conventional glove designs.

Seeking $150,000 for 20% equity plus an additional $150,000 loan and valuing their practical company at $750,000, Jake and Don entered the Tank with solid business validation including $15,000 in first-year sales limited to Salt Lake City that jumped to $125,000 in year two after securing distribution through REI and Amazon, plus compelling demonstrations of their patented five-finger dexterity technology that distinguished their products from existing convertible glove options while serving price points from $40 to $120 depending on the model and intended use. The Hand Out Gloves ecosystem served multiple outdoor and professional market segments including winter sports enthusiasts seeking performance gear that didn't compromise functionality, hunters and fishermen requiring dexterous gloves that maintained warmth during extended outdoor exposure, construction and industrial workers needing protective equipment that enabled precision tasks, and general outdoor enthusiasts appreciating innovative solutions that enhanced their cold-weather experiences while providing superior comfort, durability, and versatility compared to traditional glove designs that forced users to choose between warmth and functionality.

The sharks' evaluation revealed genuine interest in the product innovation and quality but mixed concerns about market scalability and business growth potential, with Barbara Corcoran taking the lead by offering $150,000 for 12.5% equity while encouraging another shark to match her investment for a total $300,000 package, though Robert Herjavec praised the glove quality and demonstrated the product himself before ultimately declining due to uncertainty about how he could help scale the business, followed by Mark Cuban citing his lack of connections in outdoor markets and Kevin O'Leary and Lori Greiner expressing concerns about market competition and fit with their investment strategies, leaving Barbara to ultimately offer the full $300,000 as a line of credit at 6% interest for 25% equity in a deal that Jake accepted.

Unfortunately, the post-Tank experience revealed that the deal with Barbara Corcoran fell through during due diligence due to managerial disagreements, though the company continued expanding their product line with lightweight and neoprene gloves for fishing in early 2018, followed by successful launches of hunting and work glove lines in 2019 that broadened their market appeal and revenue streams while building their reputation in specialized outdoor equipment sectors. The company faced significant emotional challenges when co-founder Don Wildman, the accomplished 85-year-old triathlete and Bally's Total Fitness founder worth approximately $100 million, passed away from cancer in September 2018 after a brave battle with the disease, creating both personal loss and business transition challenges that the surviving team navigated while honoring his legacy and maintaining operational momentum.

We found that Hand Out Gloves has achieved steady success with approximately $1 million in annual revenue, continuing operations through supply chain challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic while rebranding to Death Grip Glove Co. to better reflect their evolved product line and market position, demonstrating how innovative outdoor equipment companies can build sustainable businesses by solving real problems for passionate customer communities who value quality, functionality, and performance in specialized gear that enhances their outdoor experiences and professional activities.