Two Guys Bow Ties is a male fashion brand that uses exotic hardwoods to produce ties and other fashion accessories for men. The hardwoods used by the company include Canary, South American Bocote, Peruvian Walnut, and African Zebrawood.
The brand also offers many different types of designs, including plaid, polka dots, and a unique skyline design that portrays their clients’ hometowns.
Tim Paslay and Adam Teague are the co-founders of Two Guys Bow Ties, and established the company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, back in 2012.
The duo wanted to manufacture men’s bowties and other accessories that offered the ideal combination of modern elegance and traditional workmanship.
Tim and Adam’s idea materialized in the form of Two Guys Bow Ties; the business provides excellent and premium-quality products, and has earned the distinction of introducing wood as a raw material for the fashion industry.
The co-founders not only have an appreciation for quality clothing, but also love performing manual tasks. Their business allows them to combine these two joys, and also make their own mark in the men’s fashion space.
The business has become extremely popular, and has established a loyal fan-base comprising of stylish clients and tastemakers, both within and beyond the USA.
From starting with a humble Etsy shop to attracting recognition from renowned publications like Huffington Post, GQ, and Esquire Magazine, Two Guys Bow Ties has come leaps and bounds over the last decade. In fact, numerous celebrities, including NBA stars like SHAQ and Mike Conley, also routinely don the company’s merchandise.
The business has also expanded its product line to include items like pocket squares, wooden lapel pins, brimmed fedoras, and even beard-care items. Customers can also create customized lapel pins and bowties.
Is Two Guys Bow Ties Still an Active Business?
Yes, the company is still in business and, as of May 2022, is still co-owned by Tim and Adam. The business employs more than 50 people, and has annual revenue of approximately $3.5 million.
How Did the Shark Tank Pitch Go?
The two co-founders made their Shark Tank appearance on the third episode of season seven, seeking an investment of $150,000 in exchange for a 10% stake in the company – a valuation of $1.5 million. Their objective was to make Two Guys Bow Ties stand out from the rest of the players in the menswear space. They distribute the bowtie samples – Lori, whose bowtie had a Chicago skyline, said that she loves the product.
Tim and Adam tell the Sharks that a single bowtie costs less than $8 to make, and sells in the neighborhood of $50. At that point, the company had generated revenue of just under a million dollars, of which $407,000 was earned in the most recent financial year. Online sales account for approximately 75% of the total revenue. They thrive in making customized ties, and can produce more than a thousand bowties each month. Endorsement by celebs and NBA players was a major boost.
Troy is the first to make a decision: he compliments the design and quality of the product but, since he cannot bring in any expertise into this business, he is out.
Kevin feels that the bowties will be a good fit for his ‘Something Wonderful’ platform, and makes an offer of $150,000 in exchange for 20% equity.
Mark admits that he is no fashion icon, and jokes that a hat large enough to fit his brain was yet to be made. He bails out on the deal.
Lori, too, was impressed with the bowties and vowed to buy them. However, she felt that Kevin or Daymond would be better fits for the business, and decided to excuse herself from the deal.
The owners asked if Kevin and Troy would like to come together on the deal. Daymond responded that, even if Troy did agree to it, they would require 30% equity. After a brief pause, Troy said that he is ready if Tim and Adam are ready to give 30%.
The co-founders countered: $150,000 for 20% equity, plus a 5% royalty fee until the entire investment is returned. Troy said that this was not good enough for him, and he stepped out.
Kevin listened closely to this discussion, and made a revised offer: $150,000 for 10% equity, plus a 7.5% royalty fee until the investment is reimbursed. In addition, Kevin promised that he would put the bowties on his ‘Something Wonderful’ platform.
Daymond countered the co-owners’ counteroffer: $150,000 for 20% equity, plus a 10% royalty fee until the investment is covered. Tim and Adam make another counter: $150,000 for 17.5% equity and a 10% royalty fee, to which Daymond yells, ‘DEAL!’
Our Review of Two Guys Bow Ties Bowtie:
The quality of the bowtie is quite high, and you can observe the use of premium and exotic hardwoods. The size, too, would be right for most people. The tie has an elastic attaché that can accommodate neck sizes from 14 inches to 21.5 inches, which adds to the overall flexibility and durability. Each bowtie weighs around 1.5 ounces. The customer service is also worth mentioning – the representatives are helpful, friendly, easy to reach, and went out of their way to assist us and address our confusions and questions.
The only issue is that, for an item that has been handcrafted, the bowties did not seem adequately polished.
Pros of Two Guys Bow Ties Bowtie:
- Excellent quality
- Elastic attaché
- Completely handcrafted
Cons of Two Guys Bow Ties Bowtie:
- The polishing has room for improvement
Are There Any Alternatives?
Below are a few brands that we feel could serve as alternatives to Two Guys Bow Ties:
- The Tie Bar
- Eton Shirts
- Indochino
- Turnbull and Asser
- Hawes and Curtis
Our Final Thoughts:
Two Guys Bow Ties was launched with the objective of producing high-quality, hardwood bowties and other men’s accessories. Tim and Adam had an impressive Shark Tank debut and, under the mentorship of Daymond John, have witnessed consistent growth and improvement in their business.
