Ashley Jones, the founder of Tones of Melanin, an HBCU clothing brand, walked out with a $300,000 deal from Mark Cuban for 12 per cent of her company on a recent episode of ABC's “Shark Tank.”

The entrepreneur appeared on May 19 and came in looking for $300,000 for five per cent before striking a deal with the Dallas Mavericks owner.

Jones said she hopes to recruit a third-party logistics company to handle and process inventory. She also said she wants to put money into marketing to expand her distribution channels.

“I think that everyone who attended an HBCU will benefit from my appearance on national television, which will show that we can thrive anywhere,” Jones told AfroTech. “Never give up on yourself or your dreams, regardless of what anyone else says. Understanding what your purpose is along with your vision and that no one can ever discredit you because of where your degree may come from. HBCU graduates are thriving everywhere!”

While attending Norfolk State University, an HBCU in Virginia, Jones designed campus clothes for several organizations. She used lessons she learned from her grandparents, who ran Black-owned beauty supply companies where she grew up and launched Tones of Melanin in 2017.

Since then, she has sold more than $3.3 million in products. Last year, she made $1.4 million in sales, and year-to-date, she has reached $330,000.

Tones of Melanin has 40 HBCU licenses and wants to expand to include the remaining 60 schools in the U.S. The company's merch is also sold at major retailers, including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Belk Stores, and Follett college bookstores.