In the season finale of This is Small Business: Behind the Buy, we follow Derek Tillotson, founder of Haven Tents, and his journey from world traveler to entrepreneur. His game-changing hammock blends the comfort of a bed with the freedom of camping. What started as a family adventure evolved into a crowdfunding success! You can watch Haven Tent's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Find Their Haven in the Woods.

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(2:03) Derek shares how a family adventure sparked the idea for Haven Tents, starting with a simple desire to improve outdoor sleeping.

(7:15) How a Facebook video seeking a travel nanny unexpectedly went viral, giving Derek his first taste of public attention and setting the stage for his entrepreneurial journey.

(12:45) We learn about the challenges he faced while developing the hammock prototype, including design failures and early setbacks that tested his resolve.

(18:30) How Derek successfully crowdfunded his product, turning early skepticism into financial backing that made production possible.

(22:10) Tensions rise as Derek pitches his hammock on Buy It Now, with a humorous mishap when one of the judges accidentally falls.

Meet Kerry Cooke and her daughter Kat, the founders of Spleash—a multi-functional dog leash holder that hydrates, cools, and cleans your pet on the go. Kerry and Kat share the emotional journey behind their product, born from a need to care for their own dogs during tough times. They reveal the challenges they faced, from sketching the first design to overcoming manufacturing hurdles, and how they finally made it onto the Buy It Now show. You can watch Spleash's episode on the Buy it Now show titled: Jamie Gets Buff.

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(0:00) Kerry and Kat were motivated by a genuine need to care for their dogs and give back to the pet community. Their product isn't just practical—it reflects their mission to make a difference.

(6:07) Kerry and Kat faced multiple setbacks during the creation of Spleash, including leaks in the first batch and the complexities of manufacturing. Their perseverance and willingness to go back to the drawing board were key to overcoming these challenges.

(11:56) The mother-daughter duo rehearsed their pitch relentlessly, practicing in everyday moments until they had it down perfectly. This preparation paid off when they stepped in front of the live audience.

(15:49) The judges' feedback, including Tony Hawk’s comments and Jamie Siminoff’s praise for the design, highlighted how important it is to listen to constructive criticism and make necessary adjustments.

(19:59) Kerry and Kat’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: don’t let fear of failure hold you back. They emphasize the importance of pushing forward with belief in your idea, no matter how difficult the road may be.

Tiffany Gil, the CEO and inventor behind Shezza Socks, creates foam-padded socks designed to prevent blisters. Tiffany's journey to entrepreneurship started as a high schooler struggling with painful blisters from new shoes. After years of refining her idea and overcoming challenges—like securing funding by winning a cross-country lawnmower race—Tiffany's product went viral on TikTok. This led Tiffany to pitch her brand on the Buy It Now show, where she impressed a panel of judges, including Jamie Siminoff (founder of Ring) and celebrity entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow. You can watch Shezza Socks' episode on the Buy it Now show titled: The Panel Get Grilled.

Tune in and get inspired by the real stories behind the entrepreneurs and products featured on Buy It Now. You can find winning products on the Buy It Now Store. Follow TISB: Behind the Buy on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and make sure to watch Buy It Now on Prime Video.

In this episode you’ll discover:

(0:07) How Tiffany solved a personal problem. Tiffany created Shezza Socks after struggling with painful blisters from new shoes, turning a personal issue into a business idea.

(5:55) Tiffany funded her business by winning a lawnmower race and entering pitch competitions, showing the value of persistence and resourcefulness.

(7:59) How Tiffany leveraged social media to gain entrepreneurial recognition. A viral TikTok video helped Shezza Socks gain traction, demonstrating the power of social media for marketing.

(14:10) The importance of valuing and embracing feedback. Tiffany received valuable feedback on her brand name from industry leaders, showing the importance of being open to criticism and adapting.