ABC Shark Tank deal: Athens brothers awaiting Mark Cuban pact

Brothers Alex and Jonathan Torrey have cleared lots of hurdles to build umano, an Athens, Ga.-based maker of t-shirts designed with artwork from local school kids. But they are still trying to finalize a deal with two wealthy investors from the ABC's Shark Tank.

Alex, 29, and Jonathan, 31, hit pay dirt when they recently appeared on the primetime TV show to seek funding from the cast of wealthy investors. The Torreys agreed to give up 20 percent of their company for $150,00 in funding (and lots of name-brand recognition) from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and QVC-TV personality Lori Griener.

Friends and family didn't know about the outcome when they gathered at an Athens bar to watch the Nov. 20 national airing of the Shark Tank segment, which was taped four months earlier.

The Torreys told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that lawyers are still negotiating the details of the deals, though it is still progressing.

Check out how the business came about — and how it serves as proof that anyone can try just about anything — in the latest Unofficial Business column on myAJC.com.

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