Expedition Subsahara sells woven baskets and other hand-crafted home decorations inspired by her homeland. Sofi Seck pitched her business on season 14 of Shark Tank but didn’t get a deal. In 2024, Expedition Subsahara is worth an estimated $3 million.
Sofi Seck’s Background
Originally from Senegal, Sofi Seck moved to the United States at 14 years old. The family settled in Florissant, Missouri, and she attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Seck is proud of her roots and was born into the Wolof Tribe. As part of the Jolof Empire, they built a reputation for international trade and weaving in the 14th to 16th centuries.
Mothers and grandmothers passed down the tradition to their children. Before starting her business, she worked as a photographer.
Founding Expedition Subsahara
The Senegalese native stopped working out due to a severe back injury from powerlifting. It left her bedridden for several months, during this time the idea behind Expedition Subsahara was ignited.
Once Sofi got back on her feet, she launched the company in 2017 and employs over 120 experienced weavers in Senegal, making beautiful baskets, vases, and other decors.
The venture is more about making money as Sofi pledged to donate 20% of her revenue to building a STEAM school for girls in her homeland.
Getting on Shark Tank
Sofi didn’t have any plans to go on TV, but one day she randomly got an email from a Shark Tank producer asking for more details about her company. She’s a big fan of the show and couldn’t turn down the opportunity. After some interviews and boring paperwork, the entrepreneur got accepted.
Shark Tank Appearance
Sofi was clearly nervous during the pitch and talked quite fast. Maybe it’s because she was seeking $500,000 for a 10% equity stake. The company made $900,000 in year-to-date sales and $3.6 million in lifetime sales.
The sales figures wowed the Sharks! In 2021, Expedition Subsahara made a gross profit of $1 million but a net profit of $75,000 as she re-invested a majority of revenue back into the business.
The Sharks didn’t like how much workers were being paid and customer acquisition costs were high. Also, valuation didn’t make sense and the Sharks wouldn’t get a return on their money.
After Shark Tank
Although the pitch didn’t go as planned, Shark Tank fans have supported her mission. In an interview with BizJournals.com, Sofi revealed they generated record sales after the episode aired. The business is also working on reducing paid marketing costs, they spent $400,000 on digital marketing in 2022. Expedition Subsahara made over $1 million in 2022 and is worth an estimated $3 million.
Their range of products is expanding and currently sell baskets, vases, coasters, trays and vases. The prices range from $39 to $135. In the past, Sofi hasn’t had any trouble getting publicity and this hasn’t changed.
Seck revealed after the show, several people contacted her about investing in her company. In January 2024, Yahoo included them on their list of “41 Black-Owned Home Brands to Elevate Your Space”.
You can purchase their products on their website, ExpeditionSubsahara.com. One of Expedition Subsahara’s bestsellers is the Yata Basket, which is rated 5 stars from 20 reviews on their website. Sofi plans to expand into retail in 2024 and hopes to open a girls school in Senegal.
