Shark Tank Update: Where Are They Now?

Shark Tank Update: Where Are They Now? ...

While hammocks are quite relaxing and have a large customer base in Thailand, most of them are made from plastic and aren't biodegradable. Interestingly, entrepreneurs Joe Demin and Rachel Connors encountered a unique kind of hammock used by people from the Mlabri Tribe.

Joe and Rachel brought this hammock to the United States and promoted it as Yellow Leaf Hammocks, a company that raised over $1 million in funding. The couple presented the business on Season 11 episode 22, which enticed viewers to investigate further.

Who Are They and What Do They Do in Yellow Leaf Hammocks?

Rachel Connors graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Florida in 2007 before working as an Integrated Marketing Communications Manager at Eos Dental Technology, Inc.

Rachel left the marketing industry in 2010 and co-founded Yellow Leaf Hammocks in 2011, recognizing that becoming an entrepreneur required much study. She was also a part of the 2017 GSBI Accelerator Cohort at the Santa Clara University Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship

After a layoff in 2008, Joe decided not to give up easily and founded Yellow Leaf Hammocks with Rachel in 2011. Both have taken on the role of chief inspiration officers.

The two entrepreneurs discovered members of the Mlabri Tribe in Thailand, who were used to making luxurious hammocks out of natural materials like cotton and yarn. Naturally, they fell in love with the unique creations and realized that the United States had a large market for such eco-friendly and sustainable goods.

After returning to the country, Rachel and Joe established their company, Yellow Leaf Hammocks, and signed a contract with several female members of the Mlabri Tribe. This helps establish ethical and well-paid jobs for the tribeswomen.

What Has Happened to Yellow Leaf Hammocks?

Yellow Leaf Hammocks raised $11,400 in 2012, but Rachel and Joe kept on developing and raised another $235,814 in 2019 for the Hammock Throne, a 360-degree swiveling hammock, as the company fought back against the Covid 19 outbreak.

Yellow Leaf Hammocks was awarded $1 million for 25% of their business by the end of 2022, according to the company's official website as well as on Amazon.

Yellow Leaf Hammocks' success is owed to Rachel and Joe's dedication.

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