We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vance Zahorski. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vance below.

Vance, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

One of the most unexpected and defining challenges I’ve faced in business came when a multi-billion-dollar corporation copied one of my patented products and began selling it as their own. What made it even more shocking was that this company had previously purchased our product, sold it in their stores, and then filed their own patent, which actually referenced two of my patents and even included my name. Imagine the feeling of seeing years of work, your invention, your blood and sweat, suddenly presented to the world by a corporation with endless resources. Even crazier, their headquarters are only 56 miles from mine.

In that moment, it was more than business. It felt personal. I started Line Cutterz from scratch, chasing a dream after inventing a ring that cuts fishing line cleanly and safely. I built this company with grassroots support from the fishing community, veterans, kids, and families who believed in us. To have a giant corporation take that and try to erase our story was a gut punch.

But I wasn’t about to back down. We rallied. We gathered our patents, our proof, and our voice. I shared the story publicly, and it went viral, one post alone reached over three million views on social media. The people spoke up. News outlets like FOX 26 Houston covered the story. What started as an underdog moment became proof that integrity, innovation, and grit can still stand tall against corporate power.

That experience tested every part of me. It reminded me that success isn’t just measured by revenue, it’s measured by resilience. I learned that even when you get hit hard, if you keep your integrity, your work ethic, and your belief in your mission, you can turn even the toughest blow into momentum.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Vance Zahorski, and I’m the founder and CEO of Line Cutterz, Thread Cutterz, and Pro Fish Gear. I’m just a guy who started with a simple idea and an unshakable belief that I could build something bigger than myself.

I’ve been obsessed with fishing since I was a kid. One day, after stepping on a fillet knife which I was grabbing to cut fishing line like most anglers do, I thought, “There’s got to be a better way.” That moment turned into an invention — a fishing line cutting ring that slices line cleanly and safely with zero risk of injury.

That little idea took me from my kitchen table to ABC’s Shark Tank, where Line Cutterz got a deal and was introduced to the world. From there, what started as one product grew into a full line of cutting solutions used across multiple industries; fishing, sewing, outdoors, even aerospace. We now hold six patents with three more pending, and our products are sold in major retailers, shipped on other brands’ gear, and trusted by anglers all over the world.

What sets us apart is innovation with integrity. We don’t just make products, we solve real problems that make people’s lives easier and safer. Whether it’s a fisherman cutting 100-pound braid, a sewer trimming thread, or a first responder using our Vehicle Escape Tool to cut seatbelts, we engineer solutions that perform when it matters most.

Beyond the products, it’s our mission and community that make Line Cutterz special. We support veterans, youth fishing programs, breast cancer awareness, and environmental conservation through initiatives like our 4ocean partnership, which removes plastic from waterways. We’ve built something that’s real, relatable, and fueled by passion.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the awards, Shark Tank, or landing in Walmart and Buc-ee’s, it’s that we’ve stayed true to who we are through it all. We’ve proven that you don’t need to be a big corporation to make a big impact; you just need a vision, relentless drive, and a belief that doing the right thing still matters.

At the end of the day, Line Cutterz, Thread Cutterz, and Pro Fish Gear aren’t just brands, they’re movements. They represent the dreamers, the builders, and the underdogs who refuse to quit no matter how big the challenge.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I decided to start Line Cutterz, I didn’t have investors or a financial cushion. What I did have was the belief that this simple, safe, innovative way to cut fishing line could change everything.

So my wife and I made the hardest decision of our lives. We sold our house, our boat, my gun collection, and anything of value. Then we moved our family; two kids, two cats, and a dog, into the same bedroom I grew up in at my parents’ house.

Most people thought I was out of my mind. Maybe I was. But I saw a vision so clearly I couldn’t ignore it. I told myself, “If I’m going to fail, I’m going to fail swinging.” That basement became our headquarters. I spent nights sketching ideas, testing prototypes, and shipping orders by hand. It was humbling, chaotic, and one of the most defining seasons of my life.

None of it could have happened without my wife. Her support was, and still is, everything. I don’t think enough people talk about how critical it is to have a partner who believes in your dream.

It wasn’t glamorous, but it was real. That sacrifice taught me what it truly means to risk everything for a dream. Every product we sell today, every deal, every milestone traces back to those nights in that basement. That’s where the fire started, and it still fuels me every single day.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I started building Line Cutterz on social media, it was the wild west. Instagram was in its prime, way before algorithms and restrictions, and organic reach was free.

I’d find fishing or outdoor pages with 100K+ followers and PayPal them twenty bucks to post my product for 6–12 hours. That little move exploded my sales. It was raw, direct, and insanely effective.

Fast forward to today, TikTok, YouTube and Live Selling dominate brand growth. The difference is, now we’ve got incredible tools like ChatGPT5 and Grok4 to strategize, write captions, and streamline creativity. It’s never been easier to start and grow a business, if you’re willing to put in the work.

But even with all the tech, the secret hasn’t changed: authenticity wins. I still personally see and respond to customer comments. I share behind-the-scenes moments, our wins, our struggles, and the times we give back. People don’t just want to buy from brands, they want to connect with real people.

Social media has always been about connection. When you show up consistently and authentically, you build something that can’t be faked which is trust. That trust built Line Cutterz from a basement startup into a brand trusted by anglers worldwide.

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: whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com/user/linecutterz