In Season 8 of Shark Tank, Amanda and Steve Kuclo introduced Bootyqueen Apparel, a bold new line of women’s athletic wear that emphasizes a focus on strong, healthy bodies, especially curvier physiques. This review of Bootyqueen Apparel will explore how the business started, the pitch to the Sharks, the deal that was made, and the updates on what happened after the show.
Bootyqueen Apparel Net Worth
At its peak, Bootyqueen Apparel had an estimated annual revenue of around $3 million. The business initially gained significant traction after securing a deal with Daymond John on Shark Tank, and its success was driven by Amanda’s strong personal brand, social media influence, and a unique market niche targeting women with curvier physiques. However, after facing personal and professional challenges, including the founders’ divorce, the business struggled to maintain momentum. By 2021, the brand had closed down, and while its exact net worth at the time of closure is unclear, its peak value was likely much lower due to the company’s eventual dissolution. The business no longer operates, and both founders have moved on to other ventures.
Key Takeaways
- Strong Personal Branding: Amanda Kuclo’s identity as the “Booty Queen” played a significant role in Bootyqueen Apparel’s success, leveraging her large social media following to build brand awareness and loyalty.
- Niche Market Success: The brand targeted women with curvier bodies, offering athletic wear designed to enhance the shape of the thighs and bum, which helped it stand out in a competitive market.
- Shark Tank Deal: The Kuclos secured an investment from Daymond John for $250,000 in exchange for 27.5% equity, which helped expand the brand and add new products.
- Challenges and Decline: Despite initial success, personal struggles, including the couple’s divorce, contributed to the eventual closure of the business in 2021.
- Net Worth: Bootyqueen Apparel reached an estimated annual revenue of $3 million at its peak, but its net worth declined after the business shut down.
- Business Lessons: The brand’s story emphasizes the importance of personal and professional balance, maintaining strong business partnerships, and the power of niche marketing and social media in driving business growth.
Bootyqueen Apparel: The Beginning
Bootyqueen Apparel was founded by Amanda and Steve Kuclo, a married couple with a shared passion for fitness and bodybuilding. While Steve was rising as a competitive bodybuilder, Amanda had already made a name for herself as a personal trainer, model, and TV host. Her glutes became widely recognized, and she was crowned the “Booty Queen” of the fitness world. Their brand emerged as a celebration of curvy, strong women who embrace their natural shape.
The line features a range of products, but the core of the business revolves around leggings and workout pants designed to enhance the shape of the thighs and bum. Unlike traditional athletic wear brands that cater to a slim body ideal, Bootyqueen Apparel targets a market of women with fuller figures, offering flattering and functional designs that provide extra support to prevent muffin tops and enhance curves.
Bootyqueen Apparel Shark Tank Pitch Recap
In Episode 820, Amanda and Steve Kuclo appeared before the Sharks, seeking an investment of $250,000 for 20% equity in their company. The Kuclos’ presentation immediately caught the attention of Daymond John, who seemed particularly interested in their brand’s strong social media presence and Amanda’s “Booty Queen” identity. Amanda’s Instagram following of over 700,000 fans was impressive, and the brand’s success so far – $375,000 in sales over 18 months – was a solid starting point.
The product range includes leggings and workout pants priced between $83 and $90. The couple explained that their leggings, crafted from moisture-wicking fabric, were designed not just for working out but for fashion too. Their unique value proposition wasn’t just the pants but also the celebrity of Amanda’s personal brand, which was a key driver behind the product’s appeal.
The Sharks, however, were divided. Kevin O’Leary was quick to back out, citing the brutal competitiveness of the apparel industry. Mark Cuban also exited for similar reasons. Lori Greiner, while admiring Amanda’s branding, passed because the product wasn’t in her niche. Robert Herjavec, seeing the potential in the brand’s focus on Amanda rather than the product itself, also declined.
However, Daymond John saw potential. He offered $250,000 for 33.3% equity in the business. After some negotiation, the couple agreed to a 27.5% equity share, and the deal was done. Daymond’s involvement signified a pivotal moment in Bootyqueen Apparel’s growth trajectory.
Post-Shark Tank Growth and Development
Following the deal with Daymond John, Bootyqueen Apparel expanded its offerings beyond leggings and workout pants. They added tops, yoga mats, and fitness bands to the product lineup, increasing their reach and offering customers more variety. The couple’s strong social media presence also helped push sales, with Amanda continuing to leverage her status as the “Booty Queen” to generate buzz around new product releases.
In 2019, the brand took another big step by opening a retail store in Plano, TX. This brick-and-mortar store allowed customers to experience the brand in person and helped increase visibility in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The addition of a physical store also signaled the company’s intention to expand its presence in the mainstream market beyond the niche bodybuilding community.
Bootyqueen Apparel’s Financial Journey
After securing Daymond John’s investment, Bootyqueen Apparel’s financial growth accelerated. By 2021, the company had reached an estimated $3 million in annual revenue. Their focus on quality athletic wear, backed by Amanda’s personal brand and Daymond’s business acumen, enabled the company to expand its customer base. While the company originally sold primarily online through its website, the retail store and additional products helped diversify their revenue streams.
Setbacks and Decline
Despite the success Bootyqueen Apparel achieved post-show, things began to take a turn for the worse in the latter half of 2021. As the business continued to grow, so did personal challenges for the founders. Amanda and Steve’s marriage, which had been the backbone of the business, ended in a divorce by the fall of 2021. The dissolution of their personal relationship seemed to directly impact the future of Bootyqueen Apparel.
By July 2022, the company’s website had gone dark, and their social media accounts had not been updated since 2021. Products listed on Amazon were also marked as “currently unavailable,” signaling a shift in the company’s operations. The business’s online presence, which had been a major driver of their sales, started to dwindle.
The End of Bootyqueen Apparel: What Happened?
As of November 2023, the once-thriving brand seemed to have completely shut down. Both Steve and Amanda’s LinkedIn profiles confirmed that the business had officially closed in April 2021. While both founders have since moved on to other ventures, the closure of Bootyqueen Apparel left a lot of unanswered questions. Was the dissolution of their marriage the key factor in the brand’s downfall? It seems likely. The personal and professional ties between Amanda and Steve were tightly woven into the brand’s identity, and the end of their marriage could have made it difficult to continue operating the business.
While Bootyqueen Apparel is no longer in operation, its story serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of balancing business with personal life. The brand, which once promised to revolutionize the women’s athletic wear market with its focus on curvy, strong bodies, couldn’t overcome internal struggles.
A Final Reflection on Bootyqueen Apparel’s Legacy
Bootyqueen Apparel’s brief rise and fall may not have made the impact they originally intended, but it nonetheless remains an example of how a niche product with a strong personal brand can attract attention and investment. Amanda and Steve Kuclo’s journey is a reminder of the power of social media influence in building a business, as well as the importance of maintaining personal and professional harmony in any entrepreneurial endeavor.
The brand’s short-lived success is still remembered by many who followed their journey on Shark Tank. For those who were fans of the brand, the closure of Bootyqueen Apparel is bittersweet. While the brand didn’t last long, it managed to capture the attention of a large audience, create a unique niche in the athletic wear industry, and inspire a wave of body positivity in the fitness community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bootyqueen Apparel’s journey highlights the crucial role of strong personal branding, niche targeting, and the power of social media in building a business. While the brand experienced initial success and garnered attention through its unique focus on curvier bodies and Amanda’s iconic “Booty Queen” identity, personal challenges—specifically the dissolution of the founders’ marriage—ultimately led to its downfall. Despite its closure, the story of Bootyqueen Apparel serves as a valuable lesson for entrepreneurs: the importance of maintaining both personal and professional harmony, the need for solid partnerships, and the undeniable impact of niche markets and quality products in driving business growth. Although the brand no longer exists, the legacy of Bootyqueen Apparel remains as a testament to the power of passion and persistence in entrepreneurship.
