“From Garage Start to Shark Tank: A Family's Photo Inspired Business”

Ashley Green was 21 when life dealt her a sudden blow: her mom passed away, leaving behind just one photo of them together. This tragedy propelled Ashley and her husband Kenny Green to launch Kaans Designs, a clothing brand specializing in matching family outfits, during Ashley’s maternity leave in 2014. Their mission? To ensure families create and capture memorable moments together. Starting from their garage in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the couple used a $200 investment from Ashley's dad to kickstart their venture. Ashley was a high school teacher, while Kenny was a social worker. Fast forward to 2017, Ashley decided to dedicate herself full-time to Kaans Designs, with Kenny occasionally jumping in based on their needs. The company now employs two part-time workers and seasonal staff, offering products priced from $2 mini iron-on patches to $58 matching mother-daughter sweatshirts. Appearing on ABC’s "Shark Tank, " the Greens sought a $75, 000 investment for a 15% stake in their business. Their company is profitable, earning $44, 000 in 2023, and has twice made Oprah Winfrey’s "favorite things" list. They project $300, 000 in sales by the end of 2024. Despite their success, keeping up with demand and expanding product lines remains challenging. "We're having trouble beyond our photo-op sets, " Ashley explains. "There’s a limit to what families can buy. "