What started as a bad hair day after a scuba dive in Guam turned into a company that has sold more than 500,000 units — and caught the attention of the Sharks
SAN DIEGO, CA — On Wednesday, March 11 at 10/9c on ABC, entrepreneur Sarah Fox appeared on Shark Tank to share the story behind Rip Tie Hair, a patent-pending hair tie that keeps hair tangle-free through any activity.
For most active women and men with long hair, the tangle problem is just accepted as part of the deal. You work out, you swim, you ride, you push through a long shift, and when you're done, your hair is left a snarled, knotted mess. The detangling, the breakage, the shower battle with conditioner and a brush. It's so common it doesn't even feel like a solvable problem, it is just part of having long hair.
Sarah Fox didn't accept that. As a scuba diver and surfer, she was constantly frustrated by the long process of detangling her hair multiple times a week after being in the ocean. When she couldn't find a solution, she made one herself.
Rip Tie Hair's patent-pending design wraps around the ponytail to keep hair secure, contained, and tangle-free during wear. When it comes out, hair is the same way it went up. No knots, no damage, no shower battles with conditioner and a detangling brush.
"I invented Rip Tie because I was tired of detangling my hair after diving. Then emails started coming in: horseback riders, hikers, nurses, athletes, all with the same tangled hair problem." — Sarah Fox, Founder, Rip Tie Hair
Rip Tie Hair has sold over 500,000 hair ties and built a community of almost 50K followers across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Shark Tank Appearance
Sarah Fox entered the Tank on Season 17, Episode 13 of ABC's Shark Tank seeking investment to accelerate growth and expand distribution. After a fierce battle with Kevin O'Leary, who made multiple offers of his own, Fox secured a deal with Lori Greiner and Allison Ellsworth, founder of Poppi, for $250,000 for 20%. The appearance brought national visibility to a problem everyone with long hair has experienced, and a product that finally solves it.
Where to Find Rip Tie Hair
Rip Tie Hair is available at Riptiehair.com, Amazon, and Walmart.com and is available in 4 sizes to suit different hair types. Customers who discovered Rip Tie Hair through Shark Tank can shop the full product lineup at riptiehair.com.
About Rip Tie Hair
Rip Tie Hair is a San Diego-based hair accessory brand on a mission to end the tangle problem once and for all. Its patent-pending hair tie design keeps hair contained, secure, and tangle-free through an entire day of wear. No tangles, no damage, no matter the adventure.
About Founder Sarah Fox
Sarah Fox founded Rip Tie Hair after years of spending way too long detangling her long hair. While a grad student at San Diego State University, she started the company out of her second bedroom with $2,000.