The Home T Shark Tank - A Look At Its Story

Have you ever wondered about the stories behind some of those things you see on TV, especially from a show where people try to get money for their ideas? It's pretty interesting, actually, how a simple thought can turn into something much bigger. This is the case for a clothing item that started with a clear purpose, making its way onto a very well-known business program.

This particular item, a t-shirt, is not just any piece of clothing. It carries a special meaning for people who wear it, celebrating where they come from or a place they just really like. The person who thought of it had a vision that went beyond just selling shirts; it was about giving back, which, you know, is a pretty nice thing to do.

So, the story we are going to talk about involves this very t-shirt company and its appearance on a show where entrepreneurs try to convince investors to put money into their businesses. It's a tale of a good idea, a television appearance, and what happened after that moment in the spotlight.

Who is the Person Behind The Home T?
The Home T - What is it?
What Happened When The Home T Was on Shark Tank?
Did The Home T Get a Deal on Shark Tank?
The Home T's Path After Shark Tank - What Changed?
How Does The Home T Help Others?
Where Can You Find The Home T Items Now?
What Makes The Home T Stand Out?

Who is the Person Behind The Home T?

The individual who came up with the idea for The Home T is a gentleman named Blake Feemster. He is the founder, the person who began this company. His background, you see, is in the field of advertising. This means he had a lot of experience with how to make things appealing to people and how to get messages across. That kind of knowledge, in some respects, is very useful when you are trying to start a brand new business and make it known to a lot of people.

Blake's journey to creating this brand was, in a way, quite personal. He was living in New York City, a place many people move to for work or new experiences. However, he felt a longing for his roots, for the place he considered his actual home. This feeling of missing one's home state or a place that holds special memories is something a lot of people can relate to, actually. It was this personal sentiment that sparked the initial thought for the shirts.

He wanted to create something that would allow people to show their connection to their home state in a simple, yet meaningful way. This idea, you know, grew from a simple wish to express a feeling of belonging. It shows how personal experiences can sometimes lead to pretty big business ideas. His experience in advertising likely helped him shape this feeling into a product that others would want to wear and share.

Blake Feemster - Personal Details and Background

Name	Blake Feemster
Role	Founder of The Home T
Professional Background	Advertising
Inspiration for The Home T	Missing his home state while living in New York City
Key Business Principle	Giving back to charity

The Home T - What is it?

So, what exactly is The Home T? It is, at its core, a line of clothing, mostly t-shirts, that feature the outline of a specific state. But it is more than just a shape on a shirt. Each shirt has the outline of a state with the word "home" placed inside it. This simple design, you see, carries a lot of meaning for the people who wear it. It represents a connection to a geographical area that holds personal significance for them.

The shirts are made to be comfortable and easy to wear. The material is typically soft, which makes them pleasant against the skin. This focus on comfort is pretty important for everyday clothing items. People tend to reach for things that feel good when they put them on, and this company seems to have understood that very well, which is good for the customer, you know.

Beyond the shirts, The Home T has expanded its offerings a little bit. They also make other items, like mugs, hats, and even baby clothes, all carrying that same distinctive "home" state design. This means that if you like the idea, you can find other things to show your state pride, not just shirts. It allows people to express their connection to their state in various ways, which is pretty clever, honestly.

The overall idea behind the product is to celebrate where you come from or a place that feels like home to you. It's about a sense of belonging and affection for a particular spot on the map. This concept resonates with many individuals who have moved away from their birthplaces or who just feel a strong bond to their current residence. It is a way to carry a piece of that special place with you, or so it seems.

What Happened When The Home T Was on Shark Tank?

The Home T made an appearance on a television show called Shark Tank. This show, for those who might not know, is where people who have businesses or ideas try to get money from a group of very successful investors. These investors are called "sharks." The founder, Blake Feemster, went on the show to present his business and ask for an investment to help it grow. This happened during the fifth season of the program, specifically in episode twenty-seven, which aired in 2014.

When Blake presented his company to the sharks, he talked about his product, the t-shirts with state outlines and the word "home." He also made sure to mention a very important part of his business model: a portion of every sale goes to charity. This detail, you know, is something that often catches the attention of both the investors and the people watching at home. It shows that the business has a purpose beyond just making money, which is, honestly, a pretty good thing to highlight.

During his presentation, he explained how the shirts were selling and how much money the company was making. He gave them figures and talked about the costs involved. The sharks, as they always do, asked a lot of questions. They wanted to know about the profit margins, how much it costs to make each shirt, and how many shirts he had sold up to that point. They were trying to figure out if this business was a good place to put their money, or so it seemed.

One of the key things the sharks focused on was the price of the shirts. They were a bit higher than some other t-shirts on the market. Blake had to explain why his shirts had a certain price point, connecting it back to the quality of the material and, of course, the charitable aspect. This discussion is typically a big part of any business pitch on that show, as a matter of fact, because investors want to see if a product can sell well at its price.

Did The Home T Get a Deal on Shark Tank?

So, the big question for many people watching Shark Tank is whether the person presenting actually gets an investment. In the case of The Home T, Blake Feemster did not walk away with a deal from any of the sharks. This means that none of the investors on the show decided to put their money into his company at that time. It's a situation that happens quite often on the program, you know, where a business owner presents their idea but doesn't get the financial backing they hoped for.

The reasons for not getting a deal can vary. Sometimes the sharks do not see enough potential for growth, or they might think the valuation of the company is too high. In Blake's case, some of the sharks expressed concerns about the product itself. They wondered if the idea of a state-themed shirt was something that could truly become a very large, nationwide brand. They questioned if it had enough widespread appeal to really take off beyond a certain point, basically.

For example, one of the sharks, Kevin O'Leary, who is known for being very direct, felt that the product was too specific. He wondered if people would buy more than one shirt, or if it was just a one-time purchase. He also thought the charitable giving aspect, while good, might make the business less appealing as an investment because it reduced the profit that could be kept by the company. That was his view, at any rate.

Despite not getting an investment on the show, the appearance itself can be very helpful for a business. This is often called the "Shark Tank effect." Just being on television, even without a deal, brings a lot of attention to a product. Many people watch the show, and they then go online to look up the businesses they saw. This kind of exposure, you know, can lead to a big increase in sales, which is pretty valuable for any small company, or so it tends to be.

The Home T's Path After Shark Tank - What Changed?

Even though The Home T did not get a financial investment from the sharks, the company's story did not end there. In fact, what happened after the show aired is a good example of how a business can still find success, even without a deal. The biggest change, honestly, was the sudden increase in public awareness. A lot of people saw the shirts on television, and that made them curious. This led to a significant jump in visitors to the company's website.

When more people visit a website, it often means more people are buying things. So, The Home T saw a very noticeable rise in its sales figures right after the episode was shown. This kind of boost, you know, is what many business owners hope for when they appear on a popular program. It showed that there was, in fact, a real interest in the product, even if the investors on the show had their doubts about its long-term potential for growth.

Blake Feemster, the founder, continued to operate the business and expand its reach. He kept focusing on the core idea of the shirts and the charitable giving. The exposure from the show gave him a lot of free advertising, which is something many small businesses can only dream of. It allowed him to reach a much wider group of potential customers than he could have through traditional marketing efforts alone. That is, like, a really big deal for a small business.

The company also started to offer more items, as we talked about earlier. This expansion beyond just t-shirts helped them to bring in more customers and give people more choices. It showed that The Home T was not just a one-product company, but rather a brand that could grow and adapt. This ability to add new things and keep people interested is pretty important for staying relevant in the market, as a matter of fact.

How Does The Home T Help Others?

One of the most important aspects of The Home T, and something that Blake Feemster made very clear during his appearance on Shark Tank, is its commitment to helping others. From the very beginning, the business was set up to give a portion of its sales to a specific cause. This is not just a marketing tactic; it is a fundamental part of the company's mission. They truly aim to make a difference with every item they sell, or so it seems.

The charity that The Home T supports is related to cancer research. This means that a part of the money from every t-shirt, mug, or other item purchased goes directly to organizations that are working to find new ways to treat and prevent cancer. This particular cause is one that touches many lives, and it gives customers a feeling that their purchase is doing some good beyond just getting a new piece of clothing. It's a way to contribute to something bigger, you know.

This charitable giving is a steady and ongoing part of their business. It is not just a one-time thing or something they do only when they have extra money. It is built into their pricing and their business model from the start. This continuous support for cancer research sets The Home T apart from many other clothing companies. It gives the brand a purpose that goes beyond just style or personal expression, which is pretty compelling for a lot of people.

For customers, knowing that their money is going towards a good cause can be a strong reason to choose The Home T over other brands. It adds a layer of meaning to their purchase. It's a way for people to show their state pride while also contributing to an important medical effort. This combination of personal connection and social good is, in a way, a very powerful motivator for consumers, and it really helps the brand stand out.

Where Can You Find The Home T Items Now?

After its appearance on television and the subsequent increase in popularity, The Home T has made its products available in several places. The primary place to find their items is through their own website. This is where you can see the full range of their products, including all the different states they offer and the various types of merchandise like shirts, mugs, and other accessories. Buying directly from their site is usually the most straightforward way to get what you want, you know.

In addition to their online store, The Home T has also managed to get its products into some retail locations. This means you might find their items in certain shops, often smaller, independent stores that focus on unique gifts or local goods. These physical locations allow people to see and touch the products before they buy them, which can be a nice option for some shoppers. It also helps the brand reach people who might not typically shop online, as a matter of fact.

The company also sometimes participates in special events or pop-up shops. These are temporary selling spots that can appear at craft fairs, markets, or other gatherings. Such events give The Home T a chance to connect directly with customers and show off their products in person. It is a way to create a more personal connection with the people who buy their items, which is pretty valuable for a brand that emphasizes connection to home.

While the biggest presence remains online, the availability in physical stores and at events shows that The Home T has grown beyond just an internet-based business. This kind of expansion makes it easier for more people to discover and purchase their items, whether they prefer to shop from their computer or browse in a store. It means the brand is quite accessible to a wide range of buyers, which is good for continued growth, or so it seems.

What Makes The Home T Stand Out?

There are a few things that really make The Home T different from other clothing companies. One of the main points is the simple, yet very effective, design. The outline of a state with the word "home" inside it is something that people immediately understand and connect with. It is not overly complicated, and that simplicity, you know, is part of its appeal. It speaks directly to a feeling of belonging without needing a lot of extra details.

Another key factor that sets this company apart is its clear and consistent commitment to giving back. The fact that a portion of every sale goes to cancer research is a very strong selling point for many customers. It shows that the business has a social conscience and is trying to do good in the world. This ethical aspect adds a lot of value to the brand beyond just the product itself. It makes people feel better about their purchase, basically.

The quality of the product is also something that helps The Home T stand out. The shirts are known for being soft and comfortable. This focus on making a good product, not just a product with a good message, is important for keeping customers happy and encouraging them to buy again. People tend to appreciate items that feel good to wear and that hold up well over time, which is pretty important for clothing.

Finally, the story behind The Home T, including its appearance on Shark Tank, adds to its unique appeal. The fact that it did not get a deal but still found success makes it a bit of an underdog story. People often like to support businesses that have overcome challenges. This narrative, you know, creates a more personal connection with the brand and its founder, making it more than just a company selling t-shirts, but rather a story of perseverance and purpose.