Entrepreneur

@entrepreneur

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SoundTikTok sound · caviar

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Promoted product

RigStrips

RigStrips products are built for anywhere.

Why it worked

The story follows a classic entrepreneurial narrative arc, starting with a relatable problem and culminating in significant business success, making it inspiring and engaging for aspiring founders.

Summary

This slideshow tells the story of RigStrips, a business founded by two childhood friends who created a product to prevent skis from scratching car paint. The post details their journey from a napkin sketch to a $2M business, including overcoming a shipping crisis and appearing on Shark Tank.

Structure

1Introduction of entrepreneurs and their business success
2The spark of the idea from a personal problem
3Overcoming a crisis during their busiest season
4Highlighting business growth and Shark Tank appearance
5

Original caption

Zhach Pham and Steven Graf have been friends since second grade. In 2019 their skis slid off the car and scratched the paint, they sketched a fix on a bar receipt that night and launched RigStrips with $3,685 split out of pocket. The business has since hit over $2 million in annual sales and landed a Shark Tank deal with Raising Cane's founder Todd Graves. This is the story of RigStrips.

More from @entrepreneur

Product placement

RigStrips ACTS - it is a product that prevents skis from scratching a car's paint, and is sold globally. Removing it would change the video's topic. Raising Cane's ACTS - it is a restaurant chain whose founder made a deal with RigStrips. Removing it would change the video's topic. Shark Tank APPEARS - it is a TV show where RigStrips appeared. Removing it would not change what happens in the video.

On-screen text

Entrepreneur TWO CHILDHOOD FRIENDS DREW A PRODUCT ON THE BACK OF A BAR RECEIPT. NOW IT'S A $2M BUSINESS THE SPARK After a day of skiing in Colorado, Zhach Pham and Steven Graf saw their skis scratch the paint on their car. Later that day at a bar, they sketched out a product idea on the back of a receipt. THE CRISIS In 2023, a storm caused a shipping delay that threatened to ruin their busiest season. They rerouted the shipment to the garage, spent multiple days printing labels and packaging orders themselves. THE GROWTH RigStrips expanded into fishing, hunting, tailgating and more. They hit over $2M in annual sales and are in retailers globally. In 2024, they appeared on Shark Tank and got a deal with the founder of Raising Cane's. THE LESSON: BUILD FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS Many of RigStrips' best-selling products today came directly from customer conversations. The magnetic V2 that changed the business's trajectory came from feedback on the original version. Zhach and Steven plan to keep listening and building innovative products.