Yellow Leaf Hammocks

Yellow Leaf Hammocks sells soft, hand-woven hammocks made by artisan weavers, with a mission tied directly to the craft. Founder Joe Demin discovered the hammocks on a trip to Thailand and was struck by both their comfort and the skill behind them. He and Rachel Connors built a company around them, working with Mlabri hill tribe women and framing steady weaving work as a path out of poverty for the makers.

On Season 11 the pair asked for 400,000 dollars for 7 percent, arriving with strong sales and a clear social story. Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND Snacks, was drawn to the blend of a quality consumer product and genuine impact. Rather than a small check, he went big, and after negotiation the deal landed at 1 million dollars for 25 percent, one of the larger investments of the season.

The combination is what made the pitch land. These are not flimsy rope hammocks. They are tightly woven, weather-resistant and comfortable, and every purchase connects to fair, stable wages for the women who make them. For Lubetzky, whose own brand was built on a social mission, Yellow Leaf was a natural match of product quality and purpose.

With Lubetzky's backing through his investment firm, Yellow Leaf focused on scaling its e-commerce operation and expanding its product range beyond classic hammocks into related hanging and lounging gear, while keeping its artisan production model at the center of the brand.

The company has continued to operate and grow in the years since. Notably, it tied a limited-edition release to the Thailand-set season of a major television show, leaning into its Thai roots. As of 2026 the Yellow Leaf Hammocks website is active and selling, and the partnership with Daniel Lubetzky has been one of the more durable from its season.