Traverse City Brothers Launch LED Sports Gear Tour

News Summary

Dakota and Garret Porter from Traverse City embark on a nationwide tour called ‘LED the Way Tour’ to showcase their LED sporting gear. After a successful appearance on ‘Shark Tank’, they secured a deal with Robert Herjavec, leading to exponential business growth. They’re set to connect personally with retailers and inspire young entrepreneurs along the way. Additionally, the brothers are developing the ‘Big Pie Project’ and supporting local veterans through entrepreneurship programs.

Traverse City Brothers Hit the Road with LED Sports Gear Tour

Traverse City, a charming town in Northern Michigan, is buzzing with excitement as two local brothers, Dakota and Garret Porter, take their entrepreneurial spirit on a thrilling nationwide adventure. These two young innovators are the brains behind ActionGlow, a company that specializes in outfitting sporting gear with eye-catching LED lights. Established back in 2011, the seed for this ambitious project was planted while the Porters were enjoying a day snowboarding at Mt. Holiday.

Fast-forward to November 2022, when the Porter brothers appeared on the iconic ABC show Shark Tank. In a dramatic pitch, they wowed the sharks and landed a deal with renowned investor Robert Herjavec, catapulting their business to new heights. This pivotal moment has proven to be a game-changer for ActionGlow. Following their moment on television, the company’s sales took off, doubling from the previous year. Within weeks, they surpassed their lifetime sales achievement of $130,000 accumulated over ten years, now projected to bring in a staggering $430,000 in a single year!

The brothers cleverly renegotiated their deal with Herjavec after the show, ensuring that they secured a more favorable agreement going forward. As a result, ActionGlow has experienced an impressive year-over-year growth rate of 250% since their Shark Tank appearance. That’s the kind of comeback story that puts Traverse City on the entrepreneurial map!

Introducing the “LED the Way Tour”

Now, fueled by their recent success, Dakota and Garret are ready to hit the road with their exciting national tour, aptly named the “LED the Way Tour.” This innovative journey will take them across the nation as they promote their products directly to retailers, including surf, skate, ski, and bike shops. But this isn’t just any ordinary tour; they’ll be traveling in a specially converted school bus that took over eight years in the making, giving them a unique, mobile base to connect with customers.

What sets this tour apart is their focus on back-to-basics sales practices. The Porters aim to connect face-to-face with store owners, fostering relationships that bring a personal touch back to retail selling. Along the way, they’re also making pit stops at schools and universities to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. This is an excellent initiative for encouraging youth entrepreneurship, and it’s bound to rally support from the community!

Documenting Their Journey

The brothers will be sharing their incredible journey through regular updates on social media, allowing fans and followers to join in on their adventure. It’s an exciting time for the Porter brothers, whose story underscores how reality television can help local businesses thrive in today’s world.

A Side Project with Big Ideas

But that’s not all! In addition to running ActionGlow, the brothers are developing another project called the Big Pie Project. They aim to reclaim the title for the largest cherry pie in the world. Talk about a cherry on top of their entrepreneurial journey!

Supporting Local Veterans

As if their plate isn’t full enough, the Porter brothers are also involved with the MVE-Lab program, which supports veterans looking to start their own businesses. This promising program is set to launch in Traverse City in March 2025, culminating in a final pitch night in May. This effort is aimed at empowering those who have served our country to embrace their entrepreneurial dreams.

The Local Scene Thrives

The growth and ambition of the Porter brothers come at an ideal time for Traverse City, especially considering the positive effects of local economic conditions. This year, snowfall has been plentiful in the region, providing a boost to winter sports businesses that struggled during previous years with less snow. It seems like things are looking bright for both the Porters and the local business community!

The story of Dakota and Garret Porter serves as a great reminder of the power of creativity, hard work, and community support. As they light up the world of sports gear with their glowing innovations, it’s clear that they are inspiring not just the youth of Traverse City but creative entrepreneurs everywhere!

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Traverse Ticker: Traverse City Entrepreneurs Talk Life After Shark Tank
• Wikipedia: Entrepreneurship
• Second Wave Media: Traverse City Hub Offers More Programs for Entrepreneurs
• Google Search: Traverse City entrepreneurs
• Petoskey News: Entrepreneurship Program for Northern Michigan Veterans
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Entrepreneur
• 9&10 News: Downtown Traverse City Businesses Experience More Sales Because of the Snow
• Google News: Traverse City business