Muff Waders Shark Tank Update: Imagine rugged overalls that keep your beer cold, include a bottle opener, and have a secret pocket. That’s the muffin idea behind Muff Waders. Friends Taylor Ness and Garret Lamp turned this idea into reality, reimagining what outdoor apparel could be for tailgaters, farmers, and anyone who enjoys a cold beverage while on the move.
The two business owners hail from Iowa and connected over a shared passion for play and hustle. Taylor had the idea in the middle of the night and asked why he could never have all his drinks, tools and random items easily accessible outdoors. What began as a offbeat idea has turned into a moneymaking business.
Shark Tank Appearance
Taylor and Garret got their chance to pitch on Shark Tank in Season 12, Episode 16, fingers crossed for the leg up they needed. They sought $25,000 from the Sharks for 25% equity, valuing their company at $100,000. But primarily, it was about money and mentorship – specifically supply chain management – for them.
During their presentation, the boys emphasized that what set Muff Waders apart was . The overalls are for a heavy-duty, rainwater-resistant cotton canvas, and comes with an insulated six-pack cooler built in, a magnetic bottle opener, plus a little, secret pocket. The idea seemed easy, but it addressed a real issue for outdoor enthusiasts.
Sales figures and costs were brought into the conversation. Muff Waders are $35 to produce, but sell for $85. By the time of the taping, they’d reached $54,000 in sales—not a huge amount, but promising for a side hustle born in Iowa.
Outcome on Shark Tank
Throughout the presentation, Taylor and Garret kept it light. Their pitch was memorable, and product definitely grabbed the Sharks’ attention. After the questions ended, all five Sharks decided against investing.
Robert Herjavec wanted to get it in more hands and have more sales. Lori Greiner felt it was a fun idea, but niche, perhaps too niche for mass retail. Daymond John and Mark Cuban questioned how quickly they could scale given the logistics and inventory issues. Kevin O’Leary discussed the manufacturing figures, concerned the margin wouldn’t hold once the sales got up.
Taylor and Garret acknowledged that the efficiency in production of their products was the largest hurdle they had to overcome yet. They’d have to find another way to make growth work without a Shark Tank deal.
Progress After Shark Tank
The episode was shown and Muff Waders exploded in popularity within days. The additional visibility converted into a handful of new sales and spurred the brand on a little bit more. Still, Taylor and Garret needed money, so they launched a Kickstarter campaign. Their request was $10,000—and they raised it quickly, demonstrating strong customer demand.
The team moved quickly after Shark Tank. They added more items, such as the Muff Spenders — suspenders that are also drink holders for cans or bottles that can be used with pants and overalls. They catered to the fun, practical and a little bit cheeky feel that gained fans to Muff Waders in the beginning.
About July, to catch the wave of patriotic marketing, they dropped a ”Stars and Stripes” version just in time for Independence Day. Muff Waders turned out to be a popular item for summer events, parties, and novelty gifts.
Fans began to send in photos of themselves dressed in their Muff Waders at tailgates, camping excursions, and small-town festivals. A few took them on fishing expeditions and to cookouts in their yards. That was the kind of advertising social proof could provide: not celebrities, just regular people getting use out of the Taylor and Garrett products.
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Acquisition by Stevia Nutra Corp.
Everything became more interesting in April 2021. Stevia Nutra Corp, focused on hemp clothing and health products, bought Muff Waders. The price was not disclosed, but for Taylor and Garret, it meant more resources and a larger team supporting them.
Stevia Nutra Corp. was publicly traded and that provided Wither Muffer with wider distribution along with a modicum of marketing power. The Muff Waders label was a snug fit for—quirky, practical, and geared toward people who actually spent time outside.
The acquisition gave Muff Waders an opportunity to solve the two biggest issues the Sharks pointed out on the show Production and logistics. All of a sudden, solutions for the supply chain and the access to a larger network came into the picture, allowing for growing demand to be met.
And in the months that followed, sales soared. By the time of the buyout, Muff Waders had reached $250,000+ in total sales, a big leap up from where they were in their Shark Tank episode.
Current Business Status
By 2025, Muff Waders is still going strong and selling well. The overalls and suspenders company hadn’t had enough. Taylor and Garret expanded the product offering with hats, T-shirts and an ever expanding collection of accessories. Some products were zany, some practical, but all were at home in the playful Muff Waders aesthetic.
Their online store has grown, as has their social media presence. They now have a bigger following as well. These products are not simply novelties – a number of customers have them integrated into their regular outdoor kits.
The most interesting part could be the new valuation. Today, Muff Waders is worth some $500,000, a giant jump from the $100,000 they offered on Shark Tank. That’s the kind of growth you don’t see every day from a startup conceived as a joke between friends. For more in-depth coverage of small business experiences like this one, visit the resources on ReadMyBusiness.
The take over has also led to greater attention to solid marketing. Stevia Nutra Corp. has backed digital advertising campaigns and influencer partnerships. The brand receives shout outs from folks at concerts, on fishing trips, even social media personalities. That’s helped keep new customers coming in while loyal fans stick around for the next new drop.”
Supply chain issues also appear to be diminished. Muff Waders now have products made and shipped more quickly. That’s not a given in the world of U.S.-based fashion startups—especially after the pandemic disrupted how things are sourced and made.
Conclusion
The Muff Waders didn’t get a deal on Shark Tank, but that wasn’t the end of the story. Sometimes just appearing on the show — and making yourself memorable — means more than a handshake from one of the Sharks. Taylor Ness and Garret Lamp took the TV spotlight as a springboard, each going off in his own direction to continue growing the business.
A successful Kickstarter, dedicated fans, and a savvy acquisition have brought Muff Waders to levels its founders likely never dreamed of back when they stowed beer pockets into a pair of overalls. There is that and the company’s story shows there’s not one way to build a business and you don’t have to have Shark Tank money to make it work.
Even now, Muff Waders is still going strong, with more products and greater reach than ever. It’s a nice reminder that a funny idea — with some hustle and a little bit of luck — can take you further than you might expect, even if you don’t get a deal on the Sharks.