Ep 8. Episode 8

Beyond the Tank is a TV program which provides an exclusive inside look at the thought processes, struggles, and triumphs of entrepreneurs after they leave the Shark Tank. In season 2's Episode 8, viewers are taken on a journey through the ups and downs of various successful businesses as their owners navigate the waters of growth and expansion.

The episode kicks off with the story of Loctote, a company that produces super tough bags that are virtually indestructible. Although the company had a good start on Shark Tank, it was nowhere near being able to handle its sudden spike in sales, and its sales and marketing were not strong enough. The CEO of Loctote described how he had to resort to begging, borrowing, and manual labor to fill orders in the early days of the business. Viewers are taken through the process of how he has had to restructure and invest in the right people at key stages to ultimately be able to scale up successfully.

Next up, the episode features The Natural Grip, a brand that had trouble deciding between two major directions for their business. The Natural Grip initially started as a product that was invented on a whim and created out of necessity by Ashley Drake, after she suffered from what felt like a permanent callus on her hands while practicing her CrossFit exercises. Her product was quickly popular among the CrossFit community; however, as her business grew, she had to decide if she wanted to focus more on individual consumers or tackle larger clients and scale up. Viewers get to see the obstacles she faced during the process, her decision-making process, and how she ultimately came out on top.

The next company to be featured on the show is Spoonful of Comfort, which is a meal delivery company that specializes in soups during difficult moments like when people are ill. The company enjoyed tremendous growth after a successful pitch on Shark Tank, and its founder, Marti Wymer, found herself with a lot more than she bargained for. Marti navigates the challenges of turning Spoonful of Comfort into a nationwide operation while staying true to the company's fundamental values.

As the episode progresses, viewers are taken through the journey of Sseko Designs, a Ugandan-based luxury accessories company that was founded to give women the opportunity to afford higher education. The company's founder, Liz Forkin Bohannon, became a millionaire overnight after her pitch aired on Shark Tank, but decided to donate her earnings to support the business's members, the majority of whom are women in Uganda, to which the brand gives 100 percent of its profits. The show dwells on Sseko Design's business philosophy, ethics, and intentions for the future.

Finally, the show takes viewers to Rail Yard Studios, a company that specializes in turning old locomotives into high-end furniture. The idea came about when owner Robert Hendrick started working with a salvaged caboose, with the plan of turning it into his personal office. However, he soon found that others were interested in his work and decided to turn the furniture into a profitable business. This segment of the show explores his journey through the vertical integration of his company, the equipment he built, and how he was able to scale his production while still making unique, one-of-a-kind pieces and staying true to his company's vision.

In summary, Beyond the Tank season 2, episode 8, with its diverse segments, takes viewers on a journey through the peaks and valleys of five unique business stories: Loctote, The Natural Grip, Spoonful of Comfort, Sseko Designs, and Rail Yard Studios. The episode explores their growth through various obstacles and challenges that come with entrepreneurship. The show provides valuable insights into how to handle the many obstacles that arise on the path to building a successful business. Entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners alike can learn a lot from the real-life challenges and successes depicted in this episode.