Country Liberty

Sawyer Hannay, founder of Country Liberty clothing brand from Rexton-Mundleville, NB, pitched a country lifestyle apparel line, asking for $150,000 for 10% of the company. A former professional hockey player, he started the brand with a $400 investment selling T-shirts from his university apartment, later borrowed $45,000 to buy out his original partner, and has grown the line to include partnerships with Molson Breweries and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival, generating $2.5 million in total sales and just under $1.1 million last year. The business has also expanded into Liberty Cabins, an Airbnb-style resort that generated $40,000 in its first two months of operation, along with a small licensing deal with a local winery.

Manjit Minhas offered $150,000 for 10%, and Jim Treliving separately offered $150,000 for 25%, both later withdrawn as the negotiation evolved. Michele Romanow and Vincenzo Guzzo went out, citing a lack of focus across the clothing, cabins, and wine ventures. Arlene Dickinson, Lane Merrifield and Jim Treliving discussed a joint three-way offer before Arlene Dickinson withdrew, leaving Lane Merrifield and Jim Treliving to finalize a joint offer of $150,000 for 20%, which Sawyer Hannay accepted.

We haven’t confirmed whether Country Liberty is still operating.