A West Michigan couple with ties to Ferris State University appeared on an episode
of the ABC-TV reality series, “Shark Tank,” Friday, Jan. 29, and accepted investment
support from a business tycoon for a women’s sports bra produced by their company.
Sara Moylan, the founder and owner of Shefit, was a student in the College of Arts, Sciences and Education in 2000, and a former Ferris cheerleader. Her husband, Bob, is a co-owner of the company. The former Bulldog football player is a 2000 graduate of Ferris’ College of Engineering Technology, earning a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. They agreed to a $250,000 offer from Daymond John, the founder of the FUBU apparel company, in exchange for 33 percent ownership in Shefit.
The Shefit website details the sports bra’s patented adjustment capabilities, in terms of strap configuration and personalized fit. The Moylans incorporated the business in 2013, and have made previous appearances on syndicated and national shows, as well as regional media to promote their products. The majority of their sales are online, with some retail distribution in West Michigan and Detroit-area athletic specialty stores.
The Moylans taped their segment for "Shark Tank" in September, 2015. The show airs weekly at 9 p.m. EDT Fridays on the ABC network, where participants make their investment pitch to five venture capitalists, who may accept the request individually, work in combination with another investor to accept it, create a counter offer, or reject the proposal. “Shark Tank” has won Emmy awards as the “Outstanding Structured Reality Program” the last two years, and is in its seventh season on the air.
PHOTO CAPTION: Sara Moylan, a former Ferris State University cheerleader and student, joins with her husband Bob (’00, Construction Management) on the ABC-TV reality show “Shark Tank” Friday, Jan. 29. They received funding for the Shefit sports bra that Sara invented. (COURTESY PHOTO/Shefit)
Last updated: 01-31-2016