We were lucky to catch up with Vance Zahorski recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Vance thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
At Line Cutterz, giving back to veterans isn’t just something we do—it’s part of who we are. The freedom we have to chase our dreams, build businesses, and spend time with our families exists because of the brave men and women who fought to protect it. That’s a truth we carry in our hearts every day.
Our mission to support veterans is deeply personal. My biological father served in Vietnam, and his post-war struggles ultimately led to my adoption. That connection gave me an early understanding of the unseen battles many veterans face long after the war is over. It’s what drives me to honor them not just with words, but with action.
That’s why we built Shark Force One—the world’s largest shark fishing truck. But it’s not just a beast of a machine—it’s a symbol of freedom, resilience, and respect. We designed this unforgettable platform so veterans can experience the thrill of the ocean, seated in a fighting chair 12 feet in the air, locked into a shark that could run 200 yards. For that moment, the world fades away. The noise, the stress, the trauma—they get a break from it all. And in that peace, we give back a small piece of the freedom they fought so hard to protect.
At Line Cutterz, we believe the best way to say thank you is to stand up and fight for them, just as they fought for us. That’s why supporting veterans is one of our core values—because behind every cast, every cut, and every product we create, there’s a purpose bigger than ourselves.
Vance, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Vance Zahorski, and I’m the founder and CEO of Line Cutterz—a company I started from scratch that’s now on a mission to become the YETI of cutting tools. But more than that, Line Cutterz is a reflection of my life’s journey, my passion for fishing, and my unwavering belief that small ideas—when fueled by purpose, grit, and innovation—can change industries.
My story began with something as simple as frustration on the water. I was fishing with braided line, and every time I had to retie a lure or change setups, I was fumbling with knives or scissors, wasting time and losing momentum. I thought, there has to be a better way. That led to the creation of the Line Cutterz Ring—a sleek, wearable fishing line cutter that could slice through braid, mono, and fluoro with precision, even in wet conditions. That little ring eventually landed me on Shark Tank, where I secured a deal, and the rest is history… sort of.
What started as a single product is now an entire line of patented cutting solutions used by anglers, quilters, emergency responders, aerospace companies, and even global fashion brands like Louis Vuitton. We’ve expanded our lineup to include Peel & Stick cutters, Zipper Pull cutters, ceramic blade scissors, and elite fishing pliers—each one designed to solve real-world problems with speed, safety, and durability in mind. Our newest launch, the Vehicle Escape Tool (VET), is already gaining traction among police departments and first responders for its ability to cut seatbelts and shatter windows in emergencies.
What sets Line Cutterz apart is our relentless pursuit of innovation, our deep connection with our customers, and our refusal to follow the cookie-cutter mold. We’re not some faceless brand. I personally engage with our fans on social media, respond to messages, and share the ups and downs of our journey. Our community isn’t just buyers—they’re friends, supporters, and part of the story. We stay grassroots, authentic, and down-to-earth, and that creates a bond bigger than business.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how we’ve taken a product that was once dismissed as “just a ring” and built a brand that now powers OEM partnerships with companies like Striker Brands, Lakewood Tackle Bags, Triangle Sports, and we are working on a deal with DSG Outerwear. We’ve won Best Cutting Tool at ICAST, been featured on ABC’s The View, and shipped our products to over 12 countries—and we’re just getting started.
But at the heart of it all, what I care most about is purpose. That’s why we give back to veterans, youth programs, and breast cancer awareness. It’s why we partnered with 4ocean to launch our Conservation Blue Line Cutterz series, helping pull a pound of plastic from the oceans for every product sold.
If there’s one thing I want readers to take away, it’s this: Line Cutterz isn’t just about cutting fishing line. It’s about cutting through limitations—in fishing, in business, in life. Whether you’re a hardcore angler, a DIY crafter, or someone looking for products that solve real problems in real moments—we’re here for you.
This is just the beginning. We’re building something massive, and we’re inviting the world to come along for the ride.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Funding our business wasn’t just a financial decision—it was a leap of faith.
After I made my first prototype using JB Weld and a dental floss cutter, I knew I had something that could change the game. But ideas don’t turn into reality without sacrifice. So I made the pitch of my life—not to investors, but to my wife. I asked her if we could sell our house and pretty much everything we owned, except our two vehicles, to fund the dream. And in the most selfless, courageous act of support, she said yes.
We sold our home and moved into my parents’ finished basement—the same bedroom I slept in back in high school. Only this time, it wasn’t just me… I had two young daughters, two cats, a dog, and a dream. That tiny room became our headquarters, our sanctuary, and our proving ground.
Every dollar from the sale of our house went into engineering, R&D, molds, packaging, and production. There was no safety net. Just belief. We poured everything into Line Cutterz, and it’s been that way ever since.
To this day, Line Cutterz is 100% self-funded. We’ve had incredible support from our community through Kickstarter and Kickfurther, and without them, we wouldn’t be where we are now. I’ve kept 100% equity ownership even after closing a deal with ABC Shark Tank’s Daymond John, which is rare in today’s world, but it’s positioning us for a major leap forward. We’re now in a prime spot to bring on a strategic investment partner to help us scale into new markets, re-shore our manufacturing, and ultimately, take Line Cutterz to the next level.
Our story is living proof that when you combine sacrifice, innovation, and community support, you don’t need a Silicon Valley check to build something powerful. You just need relentless belief—and the courage to bet on yourself.
Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?
Growing a multimillion-dollar business from scratch—without outside investors—requires being relentlessly scrappy, strategic, and willing to find opportunity in the smallest corners. Every dollar counts, and I’ve learned that cash flow is king.
At Line Cutterz, we’ve taken that to heart. From managing monthly “money vampires” like subscription fees, to optimizing our ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) and even tracking how much we spend on office supplies—we leave no stone unturned. At one point, I had all of our employees do a “pen round-up,” sending them home to find any pens that might’ve hitched a ride from the office. We didn’t have to buy pens for six months! 😂
That mindset has shaped our approach to supplementary revenue streams—and it’s helped us thrive. In 2020, we purchased four vacant, run-down buildings. Line Cutterz was growing fast and needed more space, but we didn’t need all four. So, after putting in some serious sweat equity—alongside my brother, friends, and a fantastic contractor—we restored all four buildings. We moved Line Cutterz into one and leased the other three to tenants, creating a steady stream of rental income.
We also embraced the idea that if there’s space, there’s opportunity. So when Wells Fargo asked if they could install an ATM in our retail store, we said yes. It now provides a small but consistent revenue stream, proving that even non-traditional sources of cash flow add up.
But the real magic is in modern e-commerce infrastructure. Today, Line Cutterz and our sister brand Thread Cutterz are sold not just in our own stores, but through Amazon (U.S. and international), Etsy, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, Google, and Shopify. Most exciting of all, we’ve recently joined Shopify Collective—a game-changing program that allows thousands of independent Shopify stores to plug into our store and resell our products. When customers place an order on their site, it automatically flows to our backend, and we handle fulfillment. It’s a zero-inventory, zero-risk model for our partners—and it’s scaling like wildfire.
By combining these digital sales channels with our two brick-and-mortar retail locations, Line Cutterz functions like a mutual fund of commerce. If one channel slows down, another is picking up steam. That’s the beauty of modern business—diversified revenue equals stability and growth.
At the end of the day, it’s about staying lean, staying creative, and being relentless in pursuit of the next opportunity. That’s how we’ve made every square foot, every pen, and every sales channel count.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linecutterz.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/line_cutterz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linecutterzllc/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/line-cutterz-llc
- Twitter: https://x.com/line_cutterz
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LINECUTTERZLLC
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@line_cutterz?lang=en
https://www.pinterest.com/LINECUTTERZ/
Image Credits
Please give credits to Darrell Shoppe for photos, SwellPro for Fishing Drone.