"An incredible mentor" When Raising Wild Swimwear landed a deal from Shark Tank's Barbara Corcoran

When Florida-raised sisters Kara Haught and Rachelle "Shelly" Hyde stepped into the Shark Tank spotlight in 2016, they brought more than just stylish swimwear – they brought a solution to a lifelong struggle.

After securing a deal with business mogul and Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran, their company Raising Wild experienced the transformation many entrepreneurs dream about when appearing on the ABC reality show where business owners pitch to wealthy investors.

Revealing that Shark Tank's Corcoran had invited them to a retreat at her home where they met other entrepreneurs she was in business with, Haught told PopSugar in June 2017:

"Barbara is an incredible mentor"

The sisters, who practically lived in swimwear growing up in Florida, created their line to address the gap in the market for fashionable yet functional swimsuits that worked for active moms.

Their Shark Tank pitch earned them a 50/50 partnership with Corcoran, who offered $100,000 in exchange for half their company – a deal that launched their small swimwear brand into a successful business that continues to thrive today.

What happened during Raising Wild Swimwear’s Shark Tank pitch?

Growing up in Florida shaped Haught and Hyde's relationship with swimwear.

"We wore our swimsuits year-round and everywhere we went. We wore them to bed, to the movies, to pick up friends on the riding lawnmower," they explained on their blog.

They had a distinct perspective on what makes a great suit because of their longstanding association with swimwear. They saw a need in the industry for fashionable yet functional swimwear for mothers.

"My sister and I started Raising Wild to put an end to the swimsuit struggle — the struggle of finding a suit that makes you feel beautiful, stylish, confident, and that allows you to actually move without everything falling out," Hyde stated to Fashion United.

Their designs emphasized comfort and coverage without sacrificing style. They focused on details like adequate body length, proper coverage, and fabric that "holds everything in" – features especially important to their target audience of active women and mothers.

The sisters made a memorable entrance on Shark Tank Season 8, strutting into the Tank with their other sisters modeling Raising Wild swimsuits. They requested $100,000 in return for 20% of their business.

At first, the Sharks of Shark Tank expressed doubt about the retail costs. When the pair disclosed that they had already made $130,000 in sales via social media marketing, interest reached a peak.

The mood shifted when the investors realized the sisters lacked a clear scaling strategy. One by one, Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary, Lori Greiner, and Robert Herjavec dropped out.

Barbara Corcoran remained interested but needed convincing. In a vulnerable moment, one sister shared that her son's ADHD diagnosis had taught them about dedication and persistence. This personal story resonated with Corcoran.

Corcoran offered the $100,000 they sought but with a condition: she wanted 51% ownership and required the swimsuits to retail under $100. After negotiation, they settled on a 50/50 partnership – a significant stake for the sisters to give up, but one that would bring Corcoran's expertise on board.

How did Raising Swimwear fare after their Shark Tank appearance?

The partnership with Corcoran proved transformative. Beyond financial investment, she provided mentorship and connections that accelerated their growth.

While giving up half their company might seem steep, Haught noted that Corcoran still let them maintain creative control.

"She doesn't insert herself when it's not appropriate, but anytime we need advice or have a question, her team is more than willing to help and guide us," she explained.

Corcoran actively promoted the brand, posting photos of herself wearing Raising Wild swimwear on social media. This high-profile support helped boost their visibility.

The results spoke for themselves. Business Insider reported that just eight months after their Shark Tank episode aired, Raising Wild generated $400,000 in sales – more than tripling their pre-show revenue.

Raising Wild is still doing well in the cutthroat swimwear industry as of January 2025. In addition to women's swimwear, their product line now includes cover-ups, mother-child matching sets, children's swimsuits, and accessories like sandals and sunglasses.

Over time, the relationship with Corcoran has changed. During a 2019 interview on "The Nitty Gritty Podcast," Hyde explained:

"I feel like our relationship with Barbara is constantly evolving and, from the time we left the Tank, it's changed and it's become different through the whole, through the years."

The sisters have gradually become more independent while maintaining the partnership.

"We made sure in our arrangement with her was that we kept creative control over everything with the business and so that's been really important for us," Hyde added.

While they don't speak directly with Corcoran as frequently now, they maintain regular contact with her team.

The sisters balance their business success with family priorities, as evidenced by their social media presence, which focuses more on personal life than business promotion.

Haught's business philosophy remains clear:

"It's such a big and fast moving market and it can get really discouraging. The best thing we can remind ourselves to do is to just put our blinders on and focus on who we are as people, the brand and what we want Raising Wild to represent."

From a Florida childhood of living in swimsuits to building a successful brand with a Shark's backing, the Raising Wild story shows how the right mentor can help turn a good idea into a lasting business.

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View Shark Tank on ABC every Friday at 8 PM ET, or stream it on Hulu.