Three brothers from Idaho – Taylor, Brooks, and Tanner Dame – are behind Proof Eyewear, a line of wood framed sustainable eyewear. The idea came about in 2010 when Brooks was trying to make a ski pole out of a stalk of bamboo. The ski pole didn’t work but the seed for wooden eyeglasses and sunglasses was planted. The Dame brothers pitched Proof Eyewear on Shark Tank in 2013. They received two offers but they weren’t willing to give up that much equity.
[Shark Tank Quiz — Think You Know Your Sharks?]
Since their appearance on Shark Tank, the Dame brothers have opened a retail store in Boise and have extended the line to include accessories including a $20 wooden wallet. It holds about 4 to 6 cards and some cash. Buyer beware: Don’t sit on it!
