Marix Stone was a sculptor who had been designing custom-made motorcycle helmets for years. He and his company’s CEO, Nancy Tanchel, had turned what was essentially a hobby into a full-fledged business, Hells Bells Helmets, that produces and sells patented, custom-designed, 3D-sculpted helmets that are certified by the Department of Transportation. Marix started with a standard safety helmet and not only turned it into a work of art but also a safer helmet. The patent basically makes Hells Bells the only game in town that can create 3D designs on any kind of sporting helmet. Marix and Nancy were doing well with sales of $300,000 and a profit margin of 50%. They wanted an investment so that they could mass produce the helmets.
Marix had said he didn’t care for the idea of licensing; he feared losing control of the quality of the helmets produced. Regardless, Daymond offered $500,000 if he could license the patent. Marix and Nancy accepted. No surprise that deal fell through.
Hells Bells Helmets is doing very well. In addition to creating the helmets, Hells Bells also makes custom-designed gas tanks and fenders for motorcycles. They also employ several fabricators to mass produce their products and were contracted to design helmets for a TV series, Sons of Anarchy, about an outlaw motorcycle club.
