Mental health is being emphasized now more than ever. See The Way I See is a clothing brand that supports this movement. It has become known for its sweatshirts featuring reassuring short messages on their sleeves. They also sell other fashion items of a similar nature. Founder Sophie Nistico, pitched her company on Shark Tank but didn’t get a deal. As of 2024, See The Way I See is worth an estimated $3 million.
Sophie Nistico’s Background
Sophie Nistico hails from Trumbull, Connecticut and studied health science at Sacred Heart University. Not long after graduating, she started her own business.
At 15 years old, she experienced chronic migraines up to 20 times per month. It took her a long time to realize that she had severe anxiety. As a result, destigmatizing mental health became the primary motivation behind her apparel line.
Founding See The Way I See
The Connecticut native started as an Instagram artist, creating and promoting sticker designs. The art she created was solely from her perspective and named her page See The Way I See.
As her community grew, Sophie decided to expand to clothing. In her parents’ basement, she designed and packaged size-inclusive sweatshirts with affirmative messages on the sleeve. This gained a lot of support, so the founder made new products.
Since 2017, See The Way I See has grown from stickers to sweatshirts, tees, sweatpants, jewelry, gift cards, and stationery. Due to her growth, Sophie moved operations out of the basement and into their garage.
Getting on Shark Tank
Sophie documented her journey on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Many of her followers witnessed her outgrow her family’s two-car garage and relocate to a 6,500 sqft warehouse.
The startup has progressed steadily over the years. However, the business still runs into issues with international shipping and restocking. With this, the entrepreneur sought help from outside investors.
Despite her nerves, Sophie delivered a strong pitch and was well-prepared. By this time, the business had $2.3 million in sales year-to-date with over $400,000 in the bank. The Sharks were surprised and didn’t make an offer as the 24 year-old didn’t need any help.
Update After Shark Tank
The episode aired in May 2023 and Sophie received a big jump in orders 48 hours afterwards. She worked hard to fulfill orders and thankfully the website didn’t crash. Fans of the show were supportive as she came across as a likable person.
If you’re interested in making a purchase, checkout their website, SeeTheWayISee.com. They have new collections coming soon, and some of their classic designs are back in stock. Currently, they have a phone case collaboration with Casetify.
Before appearing on the show, they’ve already sold 50,000 units. Thanks to the power of Shark Tank, it won’t take long to double sales. Running a clothing brand is a tough business but Sophie’s USP is the connection with her audience. Anybody can start an ecommerce store but few have the ability to attract followers organically.
