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Tracy Slocum, founder of Pretty Rugged, a luxurious and waterproof blanket company, will make her business pitch on an episode of "Shark Tank" that airs on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Tracy Slocum, founder of Pretty Rugged, a luxurious and waterproof blanket company, will make her business pitch on an episode of "Shark Tank" that airs on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Tracy Slocum, founder of Pretty Rugged, a luxurious and waterproof blanket company, will make her business pitch on an episode of "Shark Tank" that airs on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Tracy Slocum, founder of Pretty Rugged, a luxurious and waterproof blanket company, will make her business pitch on an episode of "Shark Tank" that airs on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

COLONIE — Pretty Rugged founder Tracy Slocum often uses her company’s waterproof blankets to keep dry while boating. Recently, she also used the flagship product to try and bait some sharks.

The Colonie-based business will be featured on the popular reality TV show “Shark Tank,” where Slocum will pitch her company in front of the panel of celebrity investors known as “the sharks” in hopes of securing a business deal. 

“We really feel like this is a brand that can be a household name and an international brand, and we have grown the business exponentially since the beginning when we were just a very small team of women,” Slocum said.

Since launching in 2017, Pretty Rugged has grown into a multimillion-dollar company, diversified its product offerings and sold more than 30,000 units of what it calls the “world’s first blanket with luxe faux fur on one side and waterproof, windproof, washable RuggedTex fabric on the other.” In 2018, the items were recognized by NY NOW as Best in Market and Best New Product and were selected for Oprah Winfrey's Favorite Thing's List.

As a longtime fan of the critically acclaimed ABC show, now in its 14th season, Slocum said she had a feeling her product would resonate with at least one of the investors. After applying too late last year, Slocum reapplied at the encouragement of a producer and went through what she described as a “rigorous” process to be chosen from tens of thousands of applicants.

She filmed the episode this past July and was recently informed that it was selected to air. The episode will premiere at 8 p.m. Oct. 21.

“To just be chosen in itself is such an honor and such a great opportunity for exposure for the brand,” Slocum said about the show that attracts millions of viewers worldwide.

The entrepreneur could not say whether she was made an offer from the investors, who regularly include Kevin O’Leary, Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec and Daymond John. She did, however, describe the experience as being one of the most difficult of her life.

“I can’t explain what it’s like to stand in front of those doors that are about to open and walking into the tank and then standing there in front of the judges. It’s this feeling of ‘this is the biggest moment of my life,’” she said.

Slocum built her pitch around her brand’s mission and story, which she said symbolizes "living the American dream." In creating her product, Slocum drew inspiration from her great-great grandfather, Capt. Joshua Slocum, the first man to circumnavigate the globe alone by sailboat. Slocum said the pioneer would often wrap himself in fur to withstand inclement weather.

The 48-year-old business owner also hoped making her pitch on the small screen might inspire other women to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations despite any hesitations about their age or lack of experience.

“I have little kids, I could have just kept these blankets for myself, I didn’t need to start a brand but I did," Slocum said. "I think we’ve accomplished a lot and that is what I really wanted to portray standing up there on that stage."

Melissa Manno is a Hearst Fellow covering business, with a focus on commercial real estate development and retail. She also covers breaking news. Melissa graduated from Penn State University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in geography and digital media trends and analytics. She covered identity and culture for The Daily Collegian and has previously interned for the Centre Daily Times, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Smeal College of Business and the Organization for Aid to Refugees in the Czech Republic. She is also the 2021 Hearst National Journalism Writing Champion. You can reach her at melissa.manno@timesunion.com.