What Happened To Tones of Melanin After Shark Tank?

Tones of Melanin is an HBCU apparel brand. This brand especially focuses on the HBCU Community to create stylish clothing. This company was founded by Ashley Jones in 2017. On May 19, 2023, Ashley appeared in Shark Tank Season 14 Episode 22 and asked $300,000 from the Sharks for 5% equity at a $6 Million valuation.

Tones of Melanin is one of the most popular clothing brands of (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) HBCU Community.

Ashley launched Tones of Melanin after completing her studies at Norfolk State University to fill the HBCU Clothes-line Gap in the Fashion Industry.

When She used to go to the college bookstore, she noticed that no one represented the clothing style of her HBCUs Community. She decided after college that she would make clotheslines for her HBCUs community.

Within months of the brand’s launch, appeared on Fanatics, Belk, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. In 2021, the Lincoln University athletic department partnered with them. They donated $50,000 to HBCU Education by June 2022.

The brand is available at approximately 18 HBCU Follett bookstores across the country.

What Is Tones of Melanin?

Tones of Melanin is an HBCU apparel brand. This is the first HBCU brand created by a women HBCU graduate. This brand sells bags, bottoms, outerwear, skirts, and many more apparel products to males and females.

They specially design clothing by focusing on the HBCUs community, so that the people of that community can feel comfortable and Stylish.

The average cost of their products ranges from $20-$100. If you want to buy these products then you can buy from the official website.

They currently have 33 HBCU licenses and their goal is to bring awareness to HBCUs by creating clothes.

Company NameTones of Melanin
FounderAshley Jones
Founded2017
ProductApparel brand for HBCUs community
Asked For$300k for 5% equity
Final Deal$300k for 12% equity
Shark Mark Cuban Shark Tank Profile Mark Cuban
Episode (Shark Tank USA)S14 E22
Air DateMay 19, 2023
Business StatusIn Business
WebsiteVisit Website
HeadquartersNorfolk, Virginia, United States
Lifetime Worth (Sales)$3.3M *estimated
Buy and WatchBuy NowAmazon Prime

Another Shark Tank Pitch

Who is The Founder of Tones of Melanin?

Ashley Jones is the founder and CEO of Tones of Melanin. She is a professional graphic designer and has worked as a designer for many years. At the age of 13, she started working as a graphic designer.

She started this business to spread awareness to her HBCUs community.

How Was The Shark Tank Pitch Of ‘Tones of Melanin’?

Ashley enters Shark Tank and asks Sharks for $300k for 5% equity. Ashley explains their business to Shark. Shark liked the clothing items of this brand very much and also it’s materials.

The landing cost of a jacket is approximately $28 and it is sold for a price of $56-$110, depending on the size of the jacket.

So to date they have made sales of $3.3 million. They did sales of $1.4 million in the last 12 months. This year(2022) they have made $1.1 million in sales. 75% of their sales come from e-commerce.

This year they made a profit of $343,000. They have spent $50,000 in marketing so far. Mark Cuban made an offer of $300k for 15% equity. Ashley counters Mark’s 12% equity.

Finalize: Mark Cuban invests $300k in ‘Tones of Melanin’ for 12% equity.

What Happened To Tones of Melanin After Shark Tank?

In 2021, Ashley told that she is working in a 2,400 square feet warehouse in Virginia Beach. Their plan is to make the business bigger after a few months.

What’s new on Tones of Melanin

Last Update: July 19, 2023

Many people congratulated Ashley ​​on the Shark Tank post on this brand’s Instagram account. Tons of Melanin currently hold 40 HBCU licenses and is available at Dick’s Sporting Goods and Belk stores.

Ashley told the black entrepreneur that she would expand the company without a third party.

Tones of Melanin Shark Tank Update

After entering the shark tank, Ashley explained her business to the sharks. She told the shark very well. There are many things talked about in Shark Tank like Revenue, Annual Sales, and More.

We’re following Ashley Jones along with her company for further updates.

What is The Net Worth of Tones of Melanin?

The current Worth of Tones of Melanin is Estimated at $2.5 Million. This is the first HBCUs apparel brand owned by a black woman. The brand became very popular in the black community within a few months of its launch.

According to the Department of Education, in 2020 the HBCUs community spent $270.8 million in private gifts and contributions.

Annual Revenue by Years

Note: This report is based on our research and data so far. In this, we are only estimating the annual revenue.

YearsAnnual Revenue
2023TBD
2022$1.1M *estimated
2021$1.4M *estimated

Funding Reports to Date!

YearsFunding AmountInvestor
May 2023$300kMark Cuban

Is Tones of Melanin Still In Business?

This business started in 2017 by selling clothing in a bookstore. In recent times this brand is very popular in the form of the HBCUs community.

This brand is gradually expanding by launching different clothing line products. Most African-American college and school students are liking these clotheslines.

The current headquarter of this company is in Norfolk, Virginia, United States and it employs 2-10 employees as per their LinkedIn profile.

Yes, Tones of Melanin is still in business as of July 2023.