“The Profit” is back tonight! This week, Marcus Lemonis travels to Seal Beach, California to help Tankfarm & Co., a men’s apparel and supply company. The brothers behind the business “clash every day, mistakes are piling up, and morale is fading away,” according to an episode description. Will Lemonis be able to help them?
Visiting one of their two retail stores, which did $530,000 in revenue last year, Lemonis immediately meets owners Mike and John Anderson, who give him a quick tour of the shop. He says the products are very good quality, but he is a bit worried about the margins. The brothers also have a private label company on the side, which did $1.7 million in revenue last year. Several staff members then share how the brothers are often spread fairly thin.
The face you make when the margins stink. #TheProfit pic.twitter.com/L0E7NZP8O1
— CNBC’s The Profit (@TheProfitCNBC) June 13, 2018
Lemonis travels to their father’s print shop next, which he says is “ultimately where it all started.” They recently did 2,600 shirts in one day and Lemonis likes the family tradition. The group then views a video of John and Mike’s brother Ricky, who they lost to cancer. They hope to celebrate his life.
At their other store in Huntington Beach, which Lemonis wants to close, the duo presents Lemonis with their financials. Lemonis sees value in product development and offers $2 million—$1 million in equity and $1 million as a line of credit—for 50.1 percent of the business. After a failed attempt at a negotiation, however, they ultimately agree to $1 million—$500,000 in equity and $500,000 as a line of credit—for 33.3 equity with Lemonis 100 percent in control.
.@marcuslemonis’ first offer is always his best offer. #TheProfit pic.twitter.com/8cLahvpKZu
— CNBC’s The Profit (@TheProfitCNBC) June 13, 2018
Lemonis instantly sees the problems with their process when a design on one of their shirts is accidentally inverted. He then views the sales reports for their various brands, some of which do better than others. He wants to better utilize the space so there’s more room for manufacturing and creative development. They re-merchandize the front of the store and Lemonis invites Mike’s wife Candi, who owns a clothing store down the street, to help. She recommends using a smaller table but as she continues to play with the space, John pushes back at her ideas. Lemonis encourages John to let things roll off his back a bit more.
Next, the brothers present Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que with some of their artwork. The team recommends that the duo spells BBQ correctly next time and Lemonis tells them to pay more attention to detail. They agree to a design, but Lemonis says he doesn’t view the meeting as a home run. They review the “good, better, best” model next for deciding what to offer in their store. The brothers get into an argument, however, when they disagree over their involvement and responsibility in the business. Lemonis encourages them to “get their sh*t together” and learn to coexist.
It’s all about the margins, baby! #TheProfit pic.twitter.com/m665oIUxDv
— CNBC’s The Profit (@TheProfitCNBC) June 13, 2018
Lemonis then goes back to their Seal Beach store, where the employees share that John has been micromanaging and mocking them to the extreme. They add that they would leave if they had other opportunities. Several employees confront John and accuse him of “putting on a show” when Lemonis is there. John quickly pushes back at what they’re saying and says it’s only “half the story.” He ultimately apologizes, however, and looks toward the future. Lemonis tells him to put those words into action.
John and Mike then continue to create new products and expand on their current ones. The duo then shows Lemonis the newly-renovated Anderson Brothers Design & Supply store, which he praises as “tight,” “spectacular” and much improved. He reviews the clothing next and says it’s still excellent quality. He likes the designs and fabric of Grit and Gravel and says Tankfarm “feels the most complete.” He adds, however, that the last Outsiders brand feels rushed. John says they upcycled. Lemonis says he’s happy with the progress overall and has the entire family help with the grand re-opening of the store.
Scale of 1-10, how do you think the store looks? #TheProfit pic.twitter.com/qOh2mSudQj
— CNBC’s The Profit (@TheProfitCNBC) June 13, 2018
Finally, Lemonis presents the family with the fourth product line, which honors Ricky. He praises the brothers’ improved relationship and sees a bright future for the company if they continue to work on the “people, product and process.”
See how social media reacted to “The Profit” premiere below:
Social Media Reacts to Tankfarm & Co.’s Appearance on “The Profit” Premiere
Only 7 minutes in and I’m already learning about branding! #ThankYouMarcus @TheProfitCNBC @marcuslemonis #TheProfit
— Coffee Rescue (@CoffeeRescue1) June 13, 2018
So in love with #TheProfit ! @marcuslemonis is so inspiring
— Tina (@ms_tina3) June 13, 2018
Ready for another episode of @TheProfitCNBC..so glad to see u back @marcuslemonis #TheProfit
— Viridiana Martinez (@ViriM24) June 13, 2018
Looks like they keep dad working for the business. Way to go pops! #TheProfit
— Patrick Brown (@MrPatrickBrown) June 13, 2018
#TheProfit Marcus’s first offer is ALWAYS the best offer. Don’t try to negotiate, it only goes downhill.
— BartSimpson13 (@NedFlanders113) June 13, 2018
I have the biggest, goofiest smile on my face watching this first segment of the @TheProfitCNBC! They knew their numbers & I love the family component. #TheProfit
— TJ Jefferson☘️✊✊ (@TJayPR) June 13, 2018
The name is “tankfarm”?!? Probably not a good idea #TheProfit pic.twitter.com/LeaWkRCWS7
— Rothweiler Events (@RothweilerEvent) June 13, 2018
Mike’s wife really knows what she is doing! John @TANKFARMco has to let go. #theprofit
— Patrick Brown (@MrPatrickBrown) June 13, 2018
I’m thinking mega control issues… #theprofit @TheProfitCNBC
— Kimberly Scanlan (@KimberlyScanlan) June 13, 2018
Listen to the lady fellows. Respect the process! #TheProfit @marcuslemonis @TheProfitCNBC
— Pamela Johnson (@FaceBodyFX) June 13, 2018
This guy has to stop micro-managing and be open to new ideas. #TheProfit
— Farrah Haidar (@FarrahHaidar) June 13, 2018
Nothing like being thrown under the bus by your brother! #theprofit
— Glenn Werstler (@glennwerstler) June 13, 2018
@TheProfitCNBC great advices on relationships between brothers, co-owners and mutual respects, Marcus #theprofit
— Juno Le (@Junole7) June 13, 2018
John is the worst kind of control freak. It’s counter productive to the whole business #TheProfit pic.twitter.com/T5bbSBNzi6
— BBAD Fan (@BB_Fan_84) June 13, 2018
What a remodel. Wow! #TheProfit
— Adam Fenwick (@Adam_Fenwick) June 13, 2018
I love that Marcus demands employees be treated with respect. It’s so important for the employee & the business. PEOPLE. Process. Product. #TheProfit
— Nicol E Melmenditon (@QueenMelmendi) June 13, 2018
@marcuslemonis is the best at getting everybody in a company to buy in and take ownership. #theprofit
— J.M Hurt (@Matthew1983) June 13, 2018
Awwwww @marcuslemonis for the heartwarming win on @TheProfitCNBC with Ricky’s. #theProfit
— TC (@fiestyTC) June 13, 2018
OK I’m not crying. You’re crying. #TheProfit
— Adam Fenwick (@Adam_Fenwick) June 13, 2018
“The Profit” airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on CNBC.
What are your thoughts on Anderson Brothers Design & Supply’s new product lines? How did you feel about John’s micromanaging? Sound off in the comments section below!