When I first encountered Jonathan Boos at a trade show a few years ago, he had a single ingenious product, the Würkin Stiffs magnetic collar stays. I caught up with him again in January at MRket NY, and I was floored by how busy he’s been. To the collars stays, which he calls Power Stays, he’s added an innovative shield-shaped version for polo shirts, Elvis- and Muhammad Ali-themed Rhodium-plated brass cufflinks, and some colorful and well-packaged cuff knots.
The products are smart, but Boos’s packaging has really made them stand out. The Power 
Stays ($35 retail for a three-pack) come in a clear acrylic box held closed by a thick white rubber band. It’s very eye-catching, especially on a retail counter.
Business has been good for Boos—he’s now in Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus as well as many specialty stores—but he wants to grow, and that’s where the ABC television network comes in.
“From day one, the reaction to our Power Stays has been phenomenal,” says Boos. “In a down economy, however, my biggest challenge has been working capital. Even though the business continues to grow and maintains retail success, it hasn’t equated in bank loans to support our strong growth demand. So, I decided to turn to ABC’s Shark Tank for their expertise and the capital investment necessary for expansion.”
Shark Tank, which is about to start its second season, is a reality show where inventors and entrepreneurs pitch their business plans to a panel of five “Sharks”: Daymond John, the founder and CEO of Fubu; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban; comedian Jeff Foxworthy; real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran; infomercial producer Kevin Harrington; tech entrepreneur and investor Robert Herjavec; and financial expert Kevin O’Leary.
Boos will appear in a sneak preview episode of Shark Tank this Sunday, March 20, and on future episodes. The show premiers on Friday, March 25 at 8pm on ABC. Boos will compete on the episode that airs on April 22.
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