Crooked Jaw Update
- Current Status: Inactive
- Current Business Stage: Early
- Current User Sentiment: Mixed
- Estimated Revenues since Shark Tank: $5,000
- Additional Updates: The company ceased operations in 2015
Crooked Jaw, despite gaining significant exposure from Shark Tank, struggled to maintain momentum and ceased operations in 2015. The initial interest, marked by over 500,000 website visits post-show, did not translate into sustainable sales, leading to the company’s closure. Craig French, the founder, has since moved on to various roles in sales and project management.
Market Analysis
- Target Market: MMA enthusiasts and action sports fans
- Market Size: Estimated $2 billion for MMA apparel (2020)
- Growth Potential: Moderate, driven by increasing popularity of MMA
- Competitive Landscape: Major competitors include Hurley and Quiksilver
The market for MMA and action sports apparel is competitive and moderately growing. Crooked Jaw targeted a niche within this space but faced stiff competition from established brands like Hurley and Quiksilver, which limited its market penetration and growth potential.
Business Model Analysis
- Revenue Streams: Primary from apparel sales (T-shirts, hoodies, hats)
- Cost Structure: Production costs, marketing, and retail distribution
- Value Proposition: Unique MMA-inspired designs with a personal story
- Sales Strategy: Online sales and local retail shops
Crooked Jaw’s business model relied on unique, MMA-inspired designs sold through online platforms and local retail outlets. Despite a compelling backstory and niche appeal, the company struggled with scalability and effective market penetration.
Financial Metrics and Projections
- Current Revenue: $0 (ceased operations)
- Profit Margins: Low, struggled to break even
- Financial Projections: Not applicable
- Break-Even Analysis: Never achieved
Financially, Crooked Jaw faced significant challenges. With low sales and high operational costs, the business never achieved break-even and ultimately ceased operations in 2015.
Review Summary
- Overall User Sentiment: Mixed
- Common Praises: Unique designs and brand story
- Common Complaints: Limited product availability and high prices
User reviews for Crooked Jaw were mixed, with customers appreciating the unique designs and brand story but criticizing the limited product availability and high prices.
Competitor Analysis
- Competitive Advantage: Unique MMA-themed designs
| Direct Competitor | Competitive Advantage | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Hurley | Established brand with extensive distribution | $20-$100 |
| Quiksilver | Strong brand presence and market share | $25-$120 |
Crooked Jaw faced tough competition from well-established brands like Hurley and Quiksilver, which had stronger market presence and extensive distribution networks.
Unit Economics
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): High, due to marketing and low brand recognition
- Lifetime Value (LTV): Low, due to limited repeat purchases
- Contribution Margin: Minimal, struggled with high production costs
The unit economics for Crooked Jaw were unfavorable, with high customer acquisition costs and low lifetime value, leading to minimal contribution margins.
SWOT Analysis
- Strengths: Unique designs, personal brand story
- Weaknesses: Limited market penetration, high operational costs
- Opportunities: Growing interest in MMA
- Threats: Strong competition from established brands
Crooked Jaw’s strengths lay in its unique designs and compelling brand story. However, weaknesses such as limited market penetration and high costs outweighed these strengths, while opportunities in a growing MMA market were hindered by strong competition.
Consumer Behavior Insights
- Customer Demographics: Young adults, sports enthusiasts
- Customer Feedback: Positive on design, negative on availability
- Behavioral Trends: Increasing interest in MMA and streetwear
Consumers of Crooked Jaw were primarily young adults and sports enthusiasts. While designs were well-received, product availability and pricing were common issues.
Operational Strategies
- Operational Plan: Small-scale production, direct sales
- Supply Chain: Local production, limited retail partnerships
- Technology and Innovation: Basic e-commerce platform
Operational strategies for Crooked Jaw involved small-scale production and direct sales through an e-commerce platform. However, limited retail partnerships and basic technology hindered scalability.
Legal Challenges
- Past Legal Issues: None reported
- Current Legal Status: No active issues
- Potential Legal Risks: None anticipated
There were no significant legal challenges faced by Crooked Jaw, with no reported past issues or anticipated future risks.
Success/Failure Analysis
- Success Factors: Unique branding, niche market appeal
- Failure Factors: Poor scalability, high operational costs
- Lessons Learned: Importance of scalability and effective market penetration
The success of Crooked Jaw was driven by its unique branding and appeal to a niche market of MMA enthusiasts and action sports fans. However, its failures were primarily due to poor scalability and high operational costs. Lessons learned from Crooked Jaw’s journey highlight the importance of scalability and effective market penetration for long-term success.
Shark Tank Lesson
Crooked Jaw’s journey on Shark Tank underscores the importance of addressing scalability and market penetration issues early in a business’s development. While the brand had a unique appeal and compelling story, it struggled to sustain growth and manage operational costs. Entrepreneurs can learn from this experience that passion and a great story are important, but so are the practical aspects of running a scalable and profitable business.
Can I buy some clothing I am interested I think it’s a great name and great brand I wish you the best of luck
Not unless you can go back in time, or buy some used off someone. As it says right here on this page you were commenting on, they have been out of business since 2015.