Kim Preis wanted to create a line of maternity clothes that are elegant and flattering. She also wanted them to have an element of fun, something that made them stand out from the crowd. Her Samson Martin line included items imprinted with the baby’s due date, month or season. Mom is saved from answering that question throughout the day, and it lets others know who do not ask.
Kim began selling Samson Martin exclusively in upscale boutiques, positioning her clothing with other luxurious brands. She did well until the recession, when her yearly sales of $400,000 plummeted to $100,000. She could not sustain the business as it was. She decided to switch to mass production, lower the prices, and sell in affordable retail stores, such as Target, so that she could broaden her customer base. She needed an investment from someone with the right connections and experience in marketing, so she could get the Samson Martin name out there again.
The sharks rarely invest in businesses that need to be brought back to life. Kim did not get a deal. She tried to keep the business afloat after she appeared on Shark Tank, but Samson Martin eventually folded.
Samson Martin is no longer in business.