Michigan Sisters to Pitch Fundraiser Blankets on Shark Tank Tonight

Sisters Joanna Serra and Barbara Kent, founders of Fundraiser Blankets, will appear on season 17 of the ABC show Shark Tank tonight, seeking investment for their custom blanket fundraising business.

The pair, who grew up in Hamtramck, Michigan, near Detroit and now reside in Romeo, Michigan, spent years applying for a spot on the show. “We applied a few years in a row and went to an open call, but it just never went anywhere,” Serra told reporters. “Finally, this March we got an email from a producer. I thought it was fake.” Fundraiser Blankets offers custom logo blankets starting at $10.50 each, providing a fundraising avenue for schools and teams.

The sisters pitched their business to a panel of six sharks – Barbara Corcoran, Kevin “Mr. Wonderful” O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Daniel Lubetzky, and newcomers Joanna and Chip Gaines. Serra described the experience as surreal, noting the stark difference between the live pitch and the televised version. “When you watch it on the TV, it’s such a different experience. There’s no music when you walk in. It’s dead silent.” The company offers both domestically produced, expedited blankets and a more affordable import option, with approximately 70% of sales currently fulfilled by U.S. facilities. Successful fundraising ventures like this can provide vital support for extracurricular activities and school programs. More information about small business funding can be found at the Small Business Administration.

Serra and Kent spent approximately an hour in the Tank, which has been condensed to a 10-minute segment airing tonight at 10pm ET/9pm CT on ABC. The sisters will be watching the episode for the first time alongside viewers.

Officials with Shark Tank have not yet commented on the outcome of the pitch, but the episode is expected to draw significant attention to the growing market for customized fundraising products.