Fort Wayne Family Business to Appear on Shark Tank

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) — A local family-owned business, Kaans Designs, is set to make its television debut on ABC’s Shark Tank this Friday at 8 p.m. Owners Ashley and Kenneth Green, who started their matching apparel company from their garage in Fort Wayne 10 years ago, will pitch their brand to the famed panel of investors.

From Garage to National Spotlight

Ashley and Kenneth Green never imagined their company would make it to the Shark Tank stage. “A Shark Tank producer reached out to us…at the time it was shocking, like ‘this is a scam, this can’t be happening,’” said Ashley Green.

Their journey to California to appear on the show was a monumental step in their entrepreneurial story, as they had to face not just the sharks but also the reality of pitching a business on national television.

Behind the Scenes at Shark Tank

“It’s not as much TV production as you would think. It is a real show, it is a real experience, it is a real pitch,” shared Ashley Green. “There’s no cuts, it is a genuine conversation between you and investors.” The Greens say the process was more authentic than expected, leaving them in awe of the experience.

Although the couple is tight-lipped about the outcome, they have expressed that the opportunity alone was a once-in-a-lifetime event. “Regardless of what happens, it’s something that we will remember forever,” Ashley added.

Tune In for the Big Reveal

While the details of their pitch remain a mystery, viewers will finally learn whether the Greens managed to secure a deal with any of the sharks this Friday night on Shark Tank.