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Trey Brown launched the upscale athleisure company SPERGO, which caused a stir on Shark Tank when it debuted in season 13 episode 5.
Brown, who was just 15 at the time, presented his firm to the sharks in an attempt to raise money to support his goal of motivating young people and expanding his enterprise. His business, which blends premium clothing with an inspirational message, attracted a lot of interest from both the audience and investors.
Daymond John gave Brown a $300,000 investment on Shark Tank in return for 20% of his company. According to Screen Rant, orders increased by an astounding 2000% due to this collaboration, which thrust SPERGO into the public eye.
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Despite some ambiguity surrounding whether the deal with Daymond officially closed, SPERGO's trajectory has remained remarkable. As per the entertainment website Techie + Gamers, as of 2024, the company stands as a multimillion-dollar brand, a testament to Brown's ambition and dedication.
SPERGO’s journey on Shark Tank
Trey Brown entered the Shark Tank seeking $300,000 for a 10% stock position in SPERGO. The young businessman's polished pitch and captivating background won over the sharks.
Brown described how, at the age of 12, he made 16 shirts with his logo on them using $178 of his birthday money. He grew SPERGO into a successful company with $1.8 million in sales over three years by selling door-to-door in Philadelphia.
Brown was driven by a desire to uplift others and offer a counterpoint to the violence and negativity he experienced as a child. SPERGO stands for "sports," "hero," and "go," signifying vigor and aspiration. Brown told the sharks,
"I wanted to be the light and role model, not just for youth in Philadelphia but all over."
Mark Cuban and Daymond John expressed interest in investing, even though other sharks, including Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Kevin O'Leary, declined since they were unfamiliar with the textile industry. Daymond finally closed the deal, haggling from his original offer of 25% to invest $300,000 for a 20% interest.
The immediate impact of Shark Tank
Making an appearance on the show immediately increased SPERGO's visibility. Shortly after the program aired, the product got publicity, commonly known as the "Shark Tank effect." SPERGO's social media presence also took off, as the brand amassed over 112,000 Instagram.
Despite this achievement, Daymond John's investment has not been formally confirmed as completed. The SPERGO website and social media accounts do not reference Shark Tank or John’s involvement, raising questions about the deal’s status. However, the Shark Tank Blog claims the agreement went through, though no external sources verify this.
The Philadelphia 76ers collaborated with SPERGO, offering a grant to help the company open its first brick-and-mortar store. Currently, SPERGO operates two retail locations while maintaining a robust e-commerce presence on its website, Spergo.com. SPERGO's annual revenue reached $2.5 million in 2021.
This newfound visibility paved the way for Trey to appear on Ellen and Fox Business, amplifying the brand’s message. As per Techie + Gamers, SPERGO is now valued at approximately $2 million.
DaBaby, an American rapper, has also been featured wearing SPERGO sweatshirts.
