Yono Clip: The Shark Tank Suction Cup Hanger
Yono Clip is a portable suction cup hanger designed to keep bags and belongings off dirty floors. Created by Michael Green and Bob Mackey, it secured a Shark Tank deal with Daymond John.
The Story Behind Yono Clip
Origins and Inspiration
The Yono Clip journey began in 2020 when Bob Mackey noticed a common problem while working out at the gym. He observed people placing their gym bags, jackets, and personal belongings on the dirty floor, exposing them to germs and dirt. This observation sparked an idea that would eventually become the Yono Clip. Mackey quickly sketched his concept on a napkin, went home, sent it to a designer, and made a Facebook post seeking partners interested in joining forces to bring this idea to life.
Michael Green, also known as “Michael Green the Science Machine” for his interactive science shows at venues like Six Flags Georgia, The Steve Harvey Foundation, and The Atlanta Braves, answered Mackey’s call. Green, who owns a company called Science for Everyone that presents interactive science shows at schools and other venues across the country, brought his expertise to the partnership. The two entrepreneurs from Atlanta, Georgia, combined their skills and vision to develop the Yono Clip.
The name “Yono” stands for “You Only Need One,” highlighting the versatility and effectiveness of their product. Within a year of their initial collaboration, the Yono Clip became a reality, offering a simple yet innovative solution to a common problem.
Product Development and Kickstarter Success
After finalizing their concept, Green and Mackey engaged a design and engineering firm called Aeon Omega to help produce the product. This company offered a “start to shelf service” and even designed the Yono Clip website, demonstrating the founders’ ability to facilitate the development process effectively.
To fund their initial production, the entrepreneurs launched a Kickstarter campaign in July 2020, right at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging economic climate, they successfully raised $9,857, exceeding their funding goal. This achievement was particularly impressive considering the logistical difficulties of manufacturing and shipping products during a global pandemic.
The successful Kickstarter campaign allowed Green and Mackey to begin production of the Yono Clip in the United States, maintaining their commitment to domestic manufacturing. They managed to get the product built and shipped to backers, a monumental task under the circumstances of the pandemic.
How Yono Clip Works
Design and Functionality
The Yono Clip features a simple yet effective design that sets it apart from traditional hooks and hangers. At its core, the Yono Clip consists of a powerful DURAFLEX® suction cup that gives it extra sticking power. The suction cup allows the clip to adhere firmly to smooth, non-porous surfaces such as metal, glass, and plastic.
What makes the Yono Clip unique is its versatility in attachment positions. Unlike traditional purse hooks that only work on horizontal edges of tables, the Yono Clip can be attached to vertical, horizontal, or diagonal surfaces. This flexibility allows users to hang their belongings in various environments where traditional hooks would be ineffective.
The clip includes a retractable hook and a carabiner clip for hanging items. When properly suctioned to a smooth surface, it can hold up to 15 pounds, making it suitable for a wide range of personal belongings, from purses and laptop bags to gym bags and jackets.
Usage Instructions
Using the Yono Clip is straightforward and can be summarized in three simple steps: press, pull, and hang.
- Press: Attach the Yono Clip to any flat, non-porous surface by pressing the suction cup firmly against it.
- Pull: Pull back the center lever to increase the suction and secure the clip to the surface.
- Hang: Use the center lever or carabiner clip to hang your belongings.
This simple process allows users to keep their possessions close by, off the floor, and free from germs and dirt. The Yono Clip is particularly useful in environments where cleanliness is a concern, such as public restrooms, gyms, airports, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Materials and Sustainability
The Yono Clip is not only functional but also environmentally conscious. Each clip is biodegradable, sustainable, renewable, and carbon-neutral. The packaging is made from recycled paper, reflecting the founders’ commitment to environmental responsibility.
The product comes in various colors, including blue, green, pink, black, white, and red, allowing users to choose a style that matches their preferences. Initially, Kickstarter backers received the clip in black, but the color options expanded as the product line developed.
Yono Clip on Shark Tank
The Pitch
Michael Green and Bob Mackey appeared on Shark Tank Season 12, Episode 12, which aired on February 5, 2021. They entered the tank seeking an investment of $150,000 in exchange for a 15% stake in their company, valuing Yono Clip at $1 million.
Their pitch was energetic and engaging, featuring dance moves that entertained the Sharks. They demonstrated the product’s functionality by showing how it could be attached to various surfaces and used to hang different items. The entrepreneurs emphasized the product’s ability to keep belongings off dirty floors, highlighting its relevance in the age of COVID-19 when hygiene concerns were at the forefront of public consciousness.
During their presentation, Green and Mackey revealed that they had been selling the Yono Clip for only two months and had generated $4,500 in sales. They explained that each clip retailed for $20 and cost $10 to manufacture, as they were currently 3D printing them in their garages. They expressed that with an investment, they could purchase molds to increase production and reduce the manufacturing cost to approximately $5 per unit, significantly improving their profit margins.
Sharks’ Reactions and Negotiations
The Sharks had mixed reactions to the Yono Clip pitch. Barbara Corcoran was the first to drop out, expressing concerns about the competitive market and the product’s sales potential. She viewed the Yono Clip as more of a “side hustle” than a full-time business opportunity.
Other Sharks raised questions about the product’s uniqueness and market potential. The entrepreneurs defended their product by highlighting its versatility compared to traditional purse hooks, emphasizing that the Yono Clip could be attached to vertical surfaces, which traditional hooks could not do.
Despite some skepticism, Daymond John saw potential in the Yono Clip and the entrepreneurs behind it. After negotiations, Daymond offered $150,000 for a 30% equity stake in the company, doubling the equity the entrepreneurs had initially offered. Green and Mackey accepted the deal, securing a partnership with a Shark known for his expertise in product-based businesses.
Post-Shark Tank Journey
Business Growth and Challenges
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, the Yono Clip experienced a boost in brand recognition and customer interest. However, the company faced challenges in scaling its operations and maintaining momentum in a competitive market.
According to reports, the company had an estimated annual revenue of $400,000 in 2023, indicating some growth from their initial sales figures. However, the founders shared that they encountered supply chain issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected their sales. Additionally, they faced competition from knockoff products that appeared on online platforms during this period.
As of 2025, the Yono Clip website remains functional and offers three products: the Red Clip, the Pink Clip, and a Clip Suction Cover. These items are available for purchase directly through the site, with additional shipping charges applied at checkout.
Current Status
The current status of Yono Clip as a business appears to be somewhat uncertain. While the website is still operational, there are signs that the company may not be as active as it once was. The Yono Clip Instagram account, which has over 1,500 followers, has been inactive since October 5, 2022, when they last posted promoting their pink Yono Clip. Commenting is currently turned off on all posts.
Some reports suggest that the company’s domain is for sale on GoDaddy, and co-founder Michael Green hasn’t listed Yono Clip on his LinkedIn profile. Both founders appear to still be working in the jobs they had before starting Yono Clip, suggesting that Barbara Corcoran’s assessment of the business as more of a “side hustle” than a full-time venture may have been accurate.
Customer feedback on the product has been mixed. Some Instagram comments from 2021 mentioned issues with shipping and product quality, with one customer claiming that the clip didn’t stick properly and that the logo stickers were already peeling off upon arrival.
Product Features and Benefits
Versatility and Portability
One of the key selling points of the Yono Clip is its versatility. The clip can be used in various environments where keeping belongings off the floor is desirable:
- Gyms: Keep gym bags, towels, and jackets off the floor while working out.
- Restaurants and coffee shops: Hang purses, laptop bags, and other personal items instead of placing them on the floor.
- Public restrooms: Keep bags and belongings away from bathroom floors.
- Airports: Hang bags and jackets in waiting areas and restrooms.
- Diaper changing stations: Keep diaper bags and other baby essentials off dirty surfaces.
The compact size of the Yono Clip makes it highly portable, allowing users to carry it in their bags or pockets and use it whenever needed. This portability, combined with its functionality, makes it a convenient accessory for daily use.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
In the post-COVID era, hygiene awareness has increased significantly, making products like the Yono Clip more relevant than ever. By keeping belongings off the floor and other potentially dirty surfaces, the Yono Clip helps reduce exposure to germs and dirt.
This focus on cleanliness was a central theme in the founders’ pitch on Shark Tank and continues to be a key selling point for the product. The Yono Clip offers a simple solution to a common problem, allowing users to maintain better hygiene practices in public spaces.
Weight Capacity and Durability
The Yono Clip is designed to hold up to 15 pounds when properly attached to a suitable surface. This weight capacity makes it suitable for a wide range of items, from lightweight jackets and towels to heavier bags and backpacks.
The use of DURAFLEX® suction cup technology ensures a strong hold on smooth, non-porous surfaces. However, it’s important to note that the clip’s effectiveness depends on the surface it’s attached to. It works best on smooth surfaces like glass, metal, and plastic, but may not adhere well to textured, porous, or painted surfaces.
Market Analysis and Competition
Target Market
The Yono Clip appeals to a broad target market, including:
- Fitness enthusiasts who frequent gyms and need to keep their belongings off the floor
- Travelers who want to keep their bags and jackets clean in airports, restaurants, and public restrooms
- Parents with young children who need to keep diaper bags and other essentials off dirty surfaces
- Professionals who carry laptop bags, briefcases, or purses and want to keep them clean in public spaces
- Hygiene-conscious individuals who prefer to avoid placing their belongings on potentially dirty surfaces
The product’s versatility allows it to serve various customer segments, expanding its potential market reach.
Competitive Landscape
The Yono Clip operates in a competitive market with various products offering similar functionality. Traditional purse hooks, which hang bags from table edges, have been available for years. However, the Yono Clip differentiates itself through its ability to attach to vertical and diagonal surfaces, not just horizontal edges.
The market also includes other suction-based hooks and hangers, some of which may offer similar functionality at different price points. The challenge for Yono Clip is to maintain its unique selling proposition and brand recognition in this competitive landscape.
During their Shark Tank pitch, the entrepreneurs acknowledged the competitive nature of the market but emphasized the Yono Clip’s unique features and benefits. However, as Barbara Corcoran pointed out, the market’s competitiveness could make it difficult for the Yono Clip to achieve significant scale as a standalone business.
Lessons from the Yono Clip Journey
Entrepreneurial Insights
The Yono Clip story offers several valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Problem-solving approach: The founders identified a common problem (dirty floors and the need to keep belongings clean) and developed a simple, effective solution.
- Leveraging expertise: The founders combined their different backgrounds and skills to create and market the product, with Michael Green bringing his science education experience and Bob Mackey contributing his business acumen.
- Resilience during challenges: Launching a product during the COVID-19 pandemic presented numerous obstacles, but the founders persevered, successfully funding their Kickstarter campaign and beginning production.
- Strategic partnerships: The founders recognized the need for expertise in areas where they lacked experience, partnering with a design and engineering firm to develop the product and later securing an investment from Daymond John on Shark Tank.
Business Realities
The Yono Clip journey also highlights some important business realities:
- Market competition: Even innovative products face competition, and standing out in a crowded market requires continuous effort and adaptation.
- Scale challenges: Not all products, even those that secure investments on shows like Shark Tank, achieve massive scale. Some remain smaller operations or side businesses for their founders.
- Supply chain vulnerabilities: As the founders experienced during the pandemic, supply chain issues can significantly impact a product-based business, affecting production, shipping, and ultimately sales.
- Customer feedback importance: The mixed customer reviews mentioned in some reports underscore the importance of product quality and customer service in building a sustainable business.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yono Clip
How much weight can the Yono Clip hold?
The Yono Clip is designed to hold up to 15 pounds when properly attached to a suitable non-porous surface. This makes it strong enough for most bags, jackets, and personal items.
What surfaces does the Yono Clip work on?
The Yono Clip works best on smooth, non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, and plastic. It will not work effectively on textured, porous, or painted surfaces, brick, or other rough materials.
How do I clean my Yono Clip?
To maintain the suction power of your Yono Clip, it’s recommended to clean the suction cup regularly with mild soap and water. Ensure it’s completely dry before using it again. Avoid using harsh chemicals that might damage the material.
Is the Yono Clip still available for purchase?
As of 2025, the Yono Clip is still available for purchase through the official website, which offers the Red Clip, the Pink Clip, and a Clip Suction Cover. The product retails for $19.99 plus shipping.
Did Yono Clip fulfill their Shark Tank deal with Daymond John?
While the entrepreneurs accepted Daymond John’s offer of $150,000 for 30% equity on the show, there is limited public information about whether the deal was finalized after the due diligence process. This is not uncommon for Shark Tank deals, as many agreements made on the show are subject to verification of the entrepreneurs’ claims and further negotiation.
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Samantha Yates is a creative writer and journalist with expertise in content creation and editing. She holds an MA in Creative Writing and brings professional experience from Lionbridge, where she developed engaging content for leading technology companies
