Phoenix-based NineteenTwenty, also known as 1920 Clothing, has made a splash on the entrepreneurial scene after striking a deal on ABC's "Shark Tank," according to an interview with the Phoenix Business Journal. The innovative convertible clothing company, which was founded in 2018 by Ashley Sankar, a former U.S. Army logistics officer, and her husband, Zach Sankar, received a significant investment from Shark, Robert Herjavec. Herjavec invested $250,000 in exchange for a 25% stake in the company during the fourth episode of "Shark Tank's" sixteenth season.
The Sankars presented a range of products that included their signature puffer jacket with a zip-away bottom that doubles as a travel blanket or tote bag, which Ashley Sankar described as "revolutionizing the way you wear your clothing", during the pitch they demonstrated how to transform their 1920 jacket into a blanket and bag capable of carrying up to 20 pounds, also they showed off a hoodie jacket that converts into a body bag a windbreaker with a hood that turns into a crossbody bag, fitting inside the bag itself to become a pillow, and an ankle-length skirt, which unzips to transform into a tote bag. Ashley Sankar disclosed to the Phoenix Business Journal that one of their main goals was to introduce advertisements for the first time in an effort to increase the company's reach with the company projecting revenues of $750,000 by year's end and aiming for $1 million by 2025.
The brand, despite a modest start, saw a dramatic increase in its fortunes after a social media video showcasing its innovative design went viral with over 60 million views on Instagram in 2022, propelling the company's sales to $78,000 within a single month. Ashley Sankar, currently a Senior Program Manager at Amazon, alongside her COO spouse, is still investing the fruits of her full-time job into the burgeoning enterprise, signifying a dedication that has won over the confidence of Herjavec. The company's manufacturing process, currently based in China, is something Ashley hopes to move stateside in pursuit of higher production standards and more control over the creative process.
Their appearance on "Shark Tank" catalyzed prosperity for NineteenTwenty, with an upsurge in sales following the broadcast, highlighting the potency of national television exposure for entrepreneurial ventures and while other Sharks like Kevin O'Leary and Daniel Lubetzky opted out of investing, citing various concerns including the founders' full-time job commitments; Robert's faith led to a successful deal. Continuing their momentum, the Sankars also voiced their intent to return manufacturing to the U.S. to enhance product quality despite the manufacturing challenges cited by Ashley, who insists on refining prototypes to near-perfection despite factory pushback, "It's like pulling teeth with my factory overseas, because they don't understand the invention process," Ashley told the Phoenix Business Journal.
Valued now at $2.5 million and sitting at the precipice of significant growth, NineteenTwenty is a testament to the impact of "Shark Tank" and the effectiveness of convertible, multipurpose fashion in today's market. For more details on 1920 Clothing's journey and offerings, interested parties can visit their website, which features the entrepreneurial evolution of Ashley and Zach Sankar's innovative apparel.
