Slyde in the Shark's Tank

We don’t see much TV, here at the Bunker. We spend too much time either looking at surfboards, mopping up drool from looking at surfboards or occasionally surfing surfboards. However even we have heard of the 'Shark Tank'.

In case you have not and to sum up quickly, it's aTV show about a bunch of investors that get pitched an idea. The Sharks (Investors) then choose if they are in or out and then negotiate terms of sponsorship all live on TV.

Why am I talking about a TV program that has nothing to do with surfing? Well....

I got an email a while ago saying that our friends , Steve & Angie, from Slyde Handboards where going to be on the show, which was awesome. I have just watched the show. It was pretty cool (not going to spoil it for you) and they  got in contact to ask if we wanted to grill them on the experience. Yep and Yep.

Just in case you don’t know, Slyde make the best Handboards on the planet. I was so convinced of this that after testing I ended up buying one and wanted another straight away. They are based in California, Steve hails from South Africa & Angie from California.

SB: Hey Guys, awesome news about you guys being on the Shark Tank, how difficult was it to get on there?

Steve & Ang: It was extremely difficult to get on Shark Tank! One of our customers actually introduced us to the show back in 2012 (Thank you Cliff). He urged us to apply and gave us the information to a casting agent. We applied to 3 seasons before finally getting on the show. Not only do you have to have a cool product and business, but since it's Television the producers really want to hear about your personal story too, which Steve and I didn't really talk about in the casting process until the third time we applied.

SB: You did not seem that nervous but I bet you where, what was going through your head for the moments before you went on?

Steve & Ang: Oh my gosh, we were so nervous! For the months leading up to the show, I (Angela) watched nearly every Shark Tank episode to prepare for any question possible. We studied like you would for a final exam. We did feel very prepared, but you really don't know what to expect until you are out there. Our hearts were racing before the doors opened, but in our heads we knew that it was an opportunity of a lifetime and we would not screw it up.

SB: Where you surprised that Ashton seemed like he really wanted in? Did you go in with a game plan about which Shark you would rather have invest?

Steve & Ang: We tried to go into the tank without any expectations and wanted to focus more on making sure that we presented ourselves and Slyde well on national television. It was a big shock that Ashton wanted in on Slyde because he normally invests in tech companies. When he showed how much he really wanted to invest in us, and was fighting over us, it felt pretty cool! It was a huge validation for all the hard work we have put into the business. To have any of the sharks invest in you, is seriously a huge game changer for your company. We would have loved any of them, but have Mark and Ashton together was a dream deal.

SB: Have the connections and extra investment helped you as you hoped?

Steve & Ang: The connections and support both Mark and Ashton bring to Slyde is worth just as much as the money they invested. The investment allowed us to pay off our debt, move into an actual office/warehouse, hire two employees and invest in tooling for new products we will be releasing soon.

SB: What new for Slyde, we keep a close eye on Slyde, here at the Bunker. Anything new coming out, Colabs or new models?

Slyde will always be innovating and coming up with new products. Luckily, since Steve is a surfer and product designer, he is always coming up with new ideas. First we are re-releasing the phish model (last seen on Kickstarter in 2014) which should be out by the holidays. We also have a few other new handboard designs/materials that we will be releasing, but that is still top secret. Plus we are working on some new apparel, so keep a look out for that too! 2016 has been an epic year so far, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.

SB: Thanks for your time guys. Proof that nice things do happen to nice people. Being a Slyde Handboard owner I am pretty excited to see what is in the pipeline for the next 'top secret' release. The last new model was the Bulba which is for more experienced guys to hold them high and tight in the barrel. It would be awesome to see a new entry level or kids version. Whatever the case, Steve and Ang have it in hand and now with the enhanced help of a shark and Asthon.

Good Luck Steve and Angie we will be keeping an eye out for the new stuff but in the mean time, keep spreading the stoke.