Building a Better Belt
Founded on the spirit of innovation, SlideBelts has been making patented ratchet belts for over a decade. Join our investor team of over 1,000 owners.
Our story began in the country of Moldova where I was gifted a ratchet belt in 2004. Impressed with the comfort and efficacy of the new mechanism, I ended up wearing it far more than I thought I would, even after I got back home to the U.S. It didn’t take long to see the huge market potential this product could have with some improvements. So after spending a couple years improving both the design and style of that original ratchet belt, SlideBelts was officially born in 2007.
Fast-forward to now (past some trials, more than a few victories, and several iterations of the original belt design): we’ve sold over $33 million worth of belts, grown to an experienced team of 40, and we’ve raised $3.1M to date from over 1,000 investors.
By bringing thoughtfully-designed utility and modernity to classic accessories, SlideBelts exists to help you gear up and get out; to carry less and adventure more.
This fundraising campaign is a labor of love from all of us at SlideBelts. Whether you’ve been a SlideBelts fan since the beginning, or you’re new to the brand, we want you along for the ride! I invite you to join our team and own a piece of the brand.
Brig Taylor
Founder and CEO
PERKS
GIVE SOME. GET SOME.
As a thank you for supporting SlideBelts,
enjoy these benefits from us to you.
You will receive your perks after your investment has fully processed and you have received an invite to Carta, our equity management platform.
FOR ALL WHO INVEST
- OWN A PIECE OF SLIDEBELTS
- FREE SHIPPING FOR LIFE
US investors only - ADDED DISCOUNTS DURING SALES
- EARLY ACCESS TO NEW PRODUCTS
- VOTE ON PRODUCT UPDATES
- COLLECTIBLE STOCK CERTIFICATE
- NAME ON OUR INVESTOR WALL
BOOSTED BENEFITS
More shares. More perks.
$500
+ ALL LOWER TIER PERKS
$1K
+ ALL LOWER TIER PERKS
$5K
+ ALL LOWER TIER PERKS
$10K
with CEO Brig Taylor
+ ALL LOWER TIER PERKS
$25K
+ ALL LOWER TIER PERKS
PRESS
THE BUZZ ABOUT SLIDEBELTS
“This is not just a belt; allow me to
introduce you into the world of SlideBelts,
the one-of-a-kind
ratchet belt system that
gives the classic belt a well-needed,
well-deserved upgrade.”
- Jessica Huang, Huffington Post
ABC10 INTERVIEW
THE SACRAMENTO BEE
OUR GROWTH
THE PROOF IS IN THE NUMBERS
SlideBelts has demonstrated sustained growth since our founding in 2007, as evidenced by our handful of “Fastest Growing Companies” awards, including three consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list. Continuing that strong trend, last year was our first year we grossed over $10M for a total of $12M sales for 2018.
HOW WE GOT HERE
“If you know whence you came, there are absolutely
no limitations to where you can go.”
- JAMES BALDWIN
RETAIL LOCATIONS
While we’re currently represented nationwide in over 250 brick-and-mortar stores in 37 states and D.C., we’re actively focused this year on expanding our physical brand reach in Canada, Australia, and the U.K. With 20 brand representatives across the country, we are looking to continue to expand our wholesale efforts in the coming year.
OUR UNIQUE STRATEGY
HOW WE STAND OUT
When it comes to innovation, nothing is off the table — from product design to company structure.
While the vast majority of brands outsource services, and in some cases, even entire departments, we do everything in-house at our Sacramento headquarters. With teams like creative, marketing, web development, and operations all working side by side on a daily basis, we feel that our integrated, end-to-end approach truly sets us apart. This proprietary strategy allows us to deliver a supremely personalized service, which provides us with a 360-degree understanding of a consumer’s buying journey across all of our channels.
When it comes to innovation, nothing is off the table — from product design to company structure. While the vast majority of brands outsource services, and in some cases, even entire departments, we do everything in-house at our Sacramento headquarters. With teams like creative, marketing, web development, and operations all working side by side on a daily basis, we feel that our integrated, end-to-end approach truly sets us apart. This proprietary strategy allows us to deliver a supremely personalized service, which provides us with a 360-degree understanding of a consumer’s buying journey across all of our channels.
CONTINUAL INNOVATION
With our roots in innovation as the golden thread running through the company, it’s at the heart of everything we do.
Because innovation never stops, we’re always looking for new ways to improve our products and designs based on customer feedback. We’re constantly refining our products, which sets us apart from competitors that still use the same inefficient design that we used in the early years of the company before introducing our patented dual-lever ratchet in 2012.
With our roots in innovation as the golden thread running through the company, it’s at the heart of everything we do. Because innovation never stops, we’re always looking for new ways to improve our products and designs based on customer feedback. We’re constantly refining our products, which sets us apart from competitors that still use the same inefficient design that we used in the early years of the company before introducing our patented dual-lever ratchet in 2012.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Just like any company with innovation at its core, we smartly protect all our intellectual property (IP). We have 8 issued patents and 6 registered trademarks — and that doesn’t even include the submissions still being reviewed.
If a company is not protected, then they have no foundation to stand on and others can undercut with cheaper knock-offs. You can see a full list of our issued IP here on our website.
If a company is not protected, then they have no foundation to stand on and others can undercut with cheaper knock-offs. You can see a full list of our issued IP here on our website.
WHY FUNDRAISING
TURNING FANS INTO OWNERS
After bootstrapping SlideBelts for 10 years, we took our first shot at investing in 2017 with a hugely successful equity crowdfunding campaign, raising more than $1M from over 1,000 investors just like you. You might be wondering why we’ve started another investment round, given our consistent year-over-year sales growth and prior investment success. The answer is simple: we’re ambitious. As a company that sells physical products, our ability to scale is always limited to how much product we can manufacture at any given time. Aside from inventory, we’ve outlined below how additional investment will be beneficial to our continued growth.
Research & Development
We especially would like to dedicate additional funds toward our R&D efforts, which include implementing initiatives to reduce our manufacturing waste of raw materials — like zinc & leather for our belts — which also decreases our production costs long-term. Also we have many new products that we want to development, like our GPS Belt. Early prototypes of the GPS Belt already exist, but given its complexity, we would need more than our operating cash to bring this groundbreaking product to market.
FACILITIES UPGRADE
We’re proud of the unique company structure we’ve built by conducting all business functions in-house, instead of outsourcing. We would like to improve our team’s productivity and shipping efficiency by increasing the size of our current facilities, which would be an expensive one-time cost. Ideally, our goal is to own the building in which we operate. We’ve secured an option to purchase the building for $1.7M — an excellent deal, given that it’s under-market per square foot when compared to the surrounding area. This purchase would guarantee us a long-term home and provide valuable collateral.
INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION
Last, but definitely not least, is the large untapped potential we see in the international market. In order to capitalize on that, we’ll set aside a portion of our investment dollars to increase our marketing budget, hire additional team members, and ship inventory to overseas warehouses to enable quick delivery to international customers.
WHY WE WANT YOU
Investing in privately-owned companies like ours is no longer limited to the few but to everyone. Our customers and fans are the reason for our success, so we wanted to give them the first opportunity to own a piece of our brand that they helped build.
AWARD-WINNING TEAM
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
Happy, satisfied employees are the foundation of our success and we make it a company-wide goal to ensure we practice what we preach: we’ve achieved three consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies, landed at #9 on Fortune Magazine’s list of Best Small Workplaces, came in at #10 on Fortune Magazine’s list of Best Retail Workplaces, and made back-to-back appearances on Outside Magazine’s list of Best Places to Work, just to name a few.
MEET THE EXECUTIVE TEAM
BRIG TAYLOR
Founder & CEO
MICHELLE TAYLOR
Chief Creative Officer
RICK LILLEY
Chief Operations Officer
KENNY
BOUTTE-NEARS
Vice President (VP),
Finance
Courtney Abrew
Human Resources
Manager
NAVI SINGH
SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE
OFFICER
CHARITY
SLIDEBELTS GIVES BACK
To date, we have donated close to $75,000 in cash, products, or by volunteering as a company during our work hours to the following organizations. We especially like to give back to our local community in the Sacramento area.
Thanks for your interest in our investment offering
So you're thinking about investing in our second round, but aren't quite sold on the idea yet? Totally understandable, and we're here to answer your questions and provide you with information to make the best decision.
We'll continue to add updates that will dive deeper into different aspects of our company and our Regulation A+ investment offering. However, if there's anything we haven't covered or any specific questions that come up, you can always reach us directly at investor.relations@slidebelts.com.
Before we get deeper into this investment opportunity, here are a few basics to get the ball rolling: this Regulation A+ round is open to both accredited and non-accredited investors and the investment minimum starts at $148 (via Credit Card) or $350 (via ACH/WIRE). With such a low investment minimum it is accessible to both seasoned investors and novices just getting started.
Investing, democratized
Enacted in 2015 as a provision of the JOBS Act, Regulation A+ has leveled the playing field by giving everyone the opportunity to invest in a start-up. With investing no longer reserved solely for accredited investors, getting started has never been easier. See offering circular.
Equity Offering Summary
Price: $0.37 per share.
Minimum Investment: $148 per investor (400 shares) [via Credit Card], $350 per investor (946 shares) [via ACH/WIRE].
Instrument: The investment instrument is non-voting Class A Common Stock.
Investors: Accredited and Non-Accredited Investors.
Investment Qualifications: Both Accredited and Non-Accredited Investors can invest. Non-Accredited investors are limited to investing no more than 10% of the greater of the investor’s annual income or net worth.
Number of Stocks: Up to 13,513,513 shares of non-voting Class A Common Stock.
Target Offering Amount: This offering is for up to $5,000,000.
Offering Exemption:T his offering is being administered by WealthForge Securities, LLC member of FINRA/SIPC. WealthForge also offers one of the leading private capital market platforms, pursuant to Regulation A+, promulgated under Section 401 of the JOBS Act, and specifically Section 3(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Past Investment Success
Our strong track record of investing success started in 2017 when we became one of the first companies to ever reach the $1.07M maximum via Regulation Crowdfunding. Over a five month campaign, we had 1,093 investors, both accredited and non-accredited, for an average investment amount of $979. Learn more about our Regulation Crowdfunding.
*However, past performance does not guarantee future performance.
THE SURVIVAL BELT
With a passion for quality and itch for innovation, SlideBelts has been making leather ratchet belts for almost a decade. Now, with the launch of the Survival Belt we have crafted our core product’s concept for the ultimate outdoorsman.
Brought to life by a successfully funded Kickstarter project, our much-anticipated Survival Belt launched September 2016. It’s primary purpose: if you’re out in the wilderness and lost or damaged your gear — so you only have what you are wearing — then you have tools to survive.
The strap is proudly made in the USA and crafted to withstand the harshest elements. The strap is composed of an internal webbing core coated in a durable TPU alloy protective shield. Additionally, the straps are designed to remain rigid without twisting — ideal for those who carry firearms.
BELTS
The Belt That Started It All
In 2004, Brig received a generous gift from one of his students while teaching abroad in Moldova: a ratchet belt. Instead of using worn-out holes and an unreliable prong, this leather belt used something different: a tab on the buckle that ratcheted into teeth-like ridges sewn to the back of the leather strap.
Fascinated with the utility of the belt, Brig thought it could become a huge hit with some stylistic changes. He collaborated to improve and refine the buckle for the fashion world. As it turned out, the ratcheting buckle was already public domain, and a SlideBelts patent would not be possible until 9 years later when he improved and redesigned the buckle into a dual-ratchet lever.
WATCHES
MINIMALISTIC & MODERN
Introducing Brig Taylor Watches — Named after our founder, meet the newest addition to our line of modernized classic accessories.
We have designed a high quality timepiece that combines a timeless, sophisticated style with a simple and minimalist look. The goal was to create a modern and versatile watch that allows for an easy transition from everyday wear to formal events.
FUTURE PRODUCTS
SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT’S NEXT
GPS BELT
Also, we are very excited to give you a glimpse into our next project that’s currently in development: a GPS Belt estimated to launch early 2020’s. Offering more than just precise location tracking outside the cellular network, it’s actually a Satellite Emergency Notification Device, or SEND, that can push your location to emergency services almost anywhere in the world. Depending on where you are, the appropriate response team will be dispatched so you can get lifesaving help when every minute counts.
GLOBAL COVERAGE
- 96% or better probability of successfully sending a single message within 20 minutes.
- Reduced coverage available within a 20 minute period.
Since the belt is on your body, it’s not easily forgotten or lost. It will also have other features such a sending a short message, and calling for assistance in a non-life-threatening situations as well. Again this project is in development, so though the image below is the current design, it may not be the final look or features of the finished product.
GLOBAL COVERAGE
- 96% or better probability of successfully sending a single message within 20 minutes.
- Reduced coverage available within a 20 minute period.
Insanely good customer service! Awesome product. Treats its customers like gold and they earned my belt business for life. Had a belt that had a slight issue being a first gen belt of theirs and without me even requesting it they took upon themselves to send me the newest generation upgraded that fixed the problem. My next belt is gonna be one of their beautiful full-grain leathers. After seeing how they do business you can’t go wrong. Fits perfect! Thanks Slide!
I don’t have a lot to say here, so I’ll keep this short. If you’re sitting here thinking, “This looks like a gimmick, how much better could they make a belt?” Shut up and buy it. Right now, shut your stupid mouth and buy this belt.
Like the magical mythical unicorn you always hoped to see as a small child but BETTER! These belts are amazing. I bought one for myself and it was promptly adopted (stolen) by my husband. I had anticipated our 11 year old taking it eventually... but seriously - now I need two more belts and I’m positive my husband’s fire department shift brothers will soon all have matching slide belts! Great product. Fast shipping and totally magical. The last belt you will ever buy.
I’ve had three of these slide belts and I’ve gotten rid of all of them but not because I didn’t like them rather I love them so much that I’ve shown them to friends and they like them so much that I’ve given the belts to them. Unfortunately now I don’t have one for myself and I’m back to using my old belts. The SlideBelt will be the BEST belt you have ever had and if you can buy two you can certainly give one to me. These belts are GREAT.
I bought one of these to try out a few years ago after I got fed up with my conventional belts wearing out. I’ve since then replaced ALL of my belts with SlideBelts! They look just as good now as the day I bought them - no stretched out holes, no faded/worn leather. I love how easily you can switch out the buckles with each belt strap, so I can mix and match my leather work belts with my casual canvas belts.
I am not a happy camper. I recently purchased one of your belts. It is the most AWESOME belt I’ve ever had. And now, as a result, I am being “forced” to replace all my other belts with brand new SlideBelts! All jokes aside, your belts are cool and I was very happy with my purchase. Keep up the great work guys. As for the “forced” replacements, I suppose I’ll have to take the blame for that. Thanks again.
*Customers have not been compensated for these testimonials
ACH/WIRE
CREDIT CARD
