Local Entrepreneur Hoping to Enter the 'Shark Tank'

Les Ammann watched three women crash into each other on bicycles on their way to the beach when the business idea that he hopes will get him on one of the toughest reality shows popped into his head.

The women were wearing backpacks and had folding chairs strapped over their shoulders when one of the chairs got loose, pulling down the first woman with it as she struck into the woman next to her, creating a domino effect that caused all three to wipe out–and Eureka!–the Scotts Valley entrepreneur saw his opportunity. Why not make the chairs into backpacks?

Thus was born the Chair-Pak, a perfect way to bring your seat to the beach without over loading yourself or your bike. Since that fateful day back in 1997, Chair-Pak has been used by consumers for sporting events, hiking, concerts, fishing, and many other outdoor activities.

Ammann is shooting for an "America’s Got Talent" kind of boost by applying for the TV show "Shark Tank," on which top investors, including Mark Cuban, take on entrepreneurs and help them make their fortunes.

The engineering consultant, husband and father of two, hired MBD Consulting to produce a promo video complete with testimonials from owners of his patented Chair-Pak.

The entrepreneurs who dare to enter the “Shark Tank” must try to convince the tough, self-made, multi-millionaire/billionaire tycoons to part with their own hard-earned cash, and give them the funding they desperately need to jumpstart their business ideas. But the sharks have a goal, too. They want a return on their investment and own a piece of the next big business idea.

The 7-pound backpack chair that can hold up to 230 pounds is already being recognized by top retailers. In 2006, Van’s Shoes learned of Chair-Pak and contacted Ammann to obtain 300 units as giveaways for a big snowboarding event that took place at Northstar in Tahoe. More recently, As Seen on T.V. and Walgreens are showing interest, says Ammann.

“I sell roughly 10 a week on Amazon and my website sells about the same without much marketing yet,” Amman said.

Chair-Pak is protected by multiple patents, trademarks, has clear differentials and has a patron following, he added.

Ammann has already started to obtain international patents for distribution in five countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and the Netherlands.

“My Chair-Pak is clearly a better mobile product than anything else on the market, my customers tell me, because it is very light, unobtrusive, being about the size of your back, and it is very easy to operate, employing gravity to help open it,” Ammann said. “The competition’s size is huge. It’s like a walking chair seeing it on people, one-third the size larger, it’s limited on compartments, space, and hard to open. I see people kick it to close it down.”

One vision according to Ammann, includes an NFL (National Football League) tailgate inspired Chair-Pak complete with team colors and logos printed on each unit.

Ammann will have to wait four to six weeks to learn whether he will have the chance to present his invention to the panel of wealthy investors including Lori Greiner, a.k.a Queen of “QVC,” because of all her own retail products on the online shopping and television channel. He will request an approximate $150,000 investment to help him get set up for distribution and get the needed stock in house to combat the found knockoffs, which have crept up. In return, the investor(s) will receive an agreed amount percentage of the profits.

For more information on the Chair-Pak, visit www.chairpak.com.