"It's going to grow" When Paskho left Shark Tank without any investment deals

Not all business owners who compete on ABC's Shark Tank end up with a contract. The creator of the eco-friendly clothing company Paskho, Patrick Robinson, sought $500,000 for a 2.5% ownership in his business but came away empty-handed. Robinson's vision remained unwavering despite the rejection.

Reflecting his unwavering commitment to revolutionizing American manufacturing while lifting underserved communities, he told the Alabama News Center:

"We've just started a seed, but it's going to grow"

Shark Tank, the reality show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to wealthy investors, has launched countless success stories. Paskho appeared in Season 13, presenting stylish travel clothing with a powerful social mission.

Beyond producing eco-friendly clothing, Robinson's business seeks to address racial and social injustice by setting up production "pods" in underprivileged areas of the United States, giving locals access to skills training and livable wages.

Robinson, a seasoned fashion designer who has worked with Armani, Gap, and other well-known companies, sees Paskho as a platform for social change rather than merely apparel. Though the Shark Tank investors ultimately passed on the opportunity, Paskho's journey since then proves that sometimes rejection on national television is just the beginning.

What happened during Paskho’s Shark Tank pitch?

Robinson's credentials were strong when he joined the Tank in October 2021. He has experience designing for some of the greatest names in the fashion business. He highlighted Paskho's dedication to generating employment in underserved American neighborhoods while showcasing the brand's stylish travel wear.

Robinson reported 2019 sales of $6.7 million, but the Sharks quickly zeroed in on profitability issues. The high customer acquisition cost—$95 per pair of pants—raised eyebrows among the investors. Supply chain challenges further complicate the financial picture.

"You have a marketing problem," the Sharks concluded, pointing to the brand's struggle to reach new customers efficiently.

One by one, they declined to invest, citing concerns about profitability and their lack of expertise in the apparel market.

What the Shark Tank Sharks missed was already taking shape before Robinson's TV appearance. In early 2021, the non-profit organization Souls Grown Deep invested $600,000 in Paskho to establish a production pod in Gee's Bend, Alabama—an area known for its quilting traditions and economic challenges.

This investment enabled Paskho to train local seamstresses and quilters, providing living wage employment while moving manufacturing back to the US. The success of this initial pod validated Robinson's vision, even as the Shark Tank investors expressed doubts on national television.

Fans of Shark Tank rallied behind Robinson on social media, defending his mission against the Sharks' criticism. The public response demonstrated strong support for Paskho's goal of addressing the racial wealth gap through meaningful employment opportunities.

Today, Paskho continues expanding its community-made initiative. The company has established a new production pod called "Oyate" (Lakota for "people") on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. Starting with six makers trained by a master sewist, the pod planned to grow with 12 additional seamstresses.

Robinson remains transparent about the challenges. On social media, he acknowledges the difficulties of changing consumer mindsets about clothing while embracing "slow fashion" principles. The company's estimated value of around $5 million reflects its growth trajectory, though profitability remains a work in progress.

"My long-term goal is a big one," Robinson told the Alabama News Center.

Elaborating:

"My long-term goal is to actually be able to manufacture not just clothes, but multiple products in communities across the United States."

Paskho defines fashion with purpose

Paskho distinguishes itself through its clearly labeled community-made clothing line, allowing consumers to directly support its social mission. The company also introduces crowd-funded items that are pre-ordered to eliminate waste, furthering its sustainability goals.

For Robinson, who launched Paskho in 2015 through Kickstarter, the expanded social mission crystallized after George Floyd died in 2020. What began as an eco-friendly travel clothing brand evolved into a platform for meaningful social change.

Each production pod represents more than just manufacturing capacity—it's a seed of economic opportunity in communities often overlooked by traditional employers. By training makers six at a time, Paskho ensures skills development alongside job creation.

Though the Sharks didn't bite, Paskho's community-centered approach to American manufacturing continues gaining momentum. Robinson's parting words to the Alabama News Center capture his persistent optimism:

"We've just started a seed, but it's going to grow."

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You can watch Shark Tank on ABC and stream it on Hulu, YouTube TV, and other live TV streaming services in the U.S.