Entertainment
When you're out and about, keeping your personal belongings safe is always a big concern. It seems like there really isn't much you can do other than to just keep a constant eye on your stuff. But one company hoping to change that is Loctote with its Flak Sack on Shark Tank's new episode Friday night.
You've probably never seen a bag quite like Loctote's Flak Sack before. And don't let the name of this product fool you, even if it does sound a little funny; this bag means business. Whether you're off to work or traveling abroad, the Flak Sack seems to be a good companion to allow you to keep your mind focused less on what you're carting around and more on life.
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I'm definitely interested to see what the Sharks think of the Flak Sack. It seems a bit too casual for these millionaire and billionaire investors to carry to the boardroom every day. But they've got to do quite a bit of traveling — when they're not busy being bosses, that is — so perhaps they would want to take the Flak Sack along on their next journey. You know the Sharks have a lot of valuables that need protecting.
The fate of Loctote's Flak Sack will be revealed when the new episode of Shark Tank airs Friday, April 21 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. But whether or not the Flak Sack scores a deal in the Tank, it is definitely one interesting product. So do yourself a favor and read up on it now.
It's Not Your Average Backpack
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The Flak Sack may look like a regular old drawstring bag, but it is way more than that. The bag is made out of a slash resistant fabric, which means that it's more difficult for someone to cut through but not impossible, according to the FAQs on the company's website. The bag also features a nifty "patent-pending locking strap" that allows you to affix a "heavy-duty solid brass and steel lock," the company's website says. The Flak Sack comes with a pocket on the inside that's lined with RFID blocking material so that the data stored on items like credit cards, passports, drivers licenses, and bank cards can't be read by others. The bag is also water resistant because you know rain can be the enemy of accessories, too.
It's Made Out Of Something Special
The Flak Sack is "woven from a proprietary blend of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and other state-of-the-art fibers," according to Loctote's website. The material is so strong that it was actually "originally developed for use in high performance body armor and personal protection under-garments for law enforcement, corrections, and security workers," the company's website says. Loctote is able to license it exclusively for bags and totes. The company says that the material even has Level 5 Blade cut Resistance ratings, the highest level possible, based on international and European standards, and it is "even more slash resistant than Kevlar."
Get the Flak Sack Now
If you like what you see, the Flak Sack can be yours with just a click of a button. The bag is available to purchase through the company's website for $149 each. Right now, the Flak Sack only comes in steel grey with midnight black ropes. You can also find the Flak Sack online at many other retailers, including Amazon, Home Depot, and Walmart.
The Founder Had Quite The Journey To Starting This Company
David Halpern had a very interesting career path to founding and becoming the CEO of Loctote. After he got his MBA at the Ohio State University, Halpern worked on Wall Street, then got into management consulting, which led to a job at Andersen Consulting, now known as Accenture, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also worked at a specialty consulting boutique called Metzler, started Bass & Company and later sold it to CSC, went to culinary school, founded the management consulting firm Utilligent, and then sold his interest in the company.
It was then that Halpern went on vacation in St. Croix. With his wife and kids back in the hotel room, Halpern decided to stay at the beach and do some snorkeling, he details on the company's website. He hid his valuables in his shoe, covered it with a towel, and left it on a beach chair as he hit the water. Unfortunately, someone made off with Halpern's stuff, and so he immediately got to work searching for a product that would be "impenetrable to thieves of all kinds," yet still be "stylish, attractive, and functional," Halpern describes on Loctote's website. And so the Flak Sack was born.
It's In High Demand
Loctote has already proven that there's interest in the Flak Sack. The company's Kickstarter campaign was successfully funded and raised more than $855,000 after it launched in April 2016. Loctote then launched an Indiegogo campaign and raised more than $615,000, in addition to the money raised on Kickstarter. Of course, all the buzz surrounding Loctote helped the company grab headlines as well. I wouldn't be surprised if you had heard about Loctote before it made its way into the Tank.
It Got 'Shark Tank's Attention
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With all of that publicity around the web, it's no surprise that Shark Tank came a-calling. Halpern told Columbus Business First in May 2016 that he got a call from Shark Tank's casting coordinators following the crowdfunding campaigns. Clearly, they couldn't get enough of the Flak Sack.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Sharks feel the same.
