San Diego State University alumni Brandon Leibel and Steven Ford met their future co-founder Bruno Aschidamini at a local insurance call center, and by 2014 the three friends had quit their jobs, moved into a two-bedroom loft, and launched Sand Cloud, now a beach lifestyle clothing store at 979 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109. Their original concept, a beach towel with a built-in pillow, evolved into a full brand built on sand-resistant, quick-drying Turkish organic cotton towels that now retail between $44 and $99. A 2017 appearance on Shark Tank ended with a $200,000 deal from Robert Herjavec for 15 percent equity, and by 2018 annual revenue had reached $7 million. The company donates 10 percent of all profits to marine conservation partners including the Surfrider Foundation, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and San Diego Coastkeeper, and shoppers on Garnet Avenue can also grab dinner at PB Sushi across the street after browsing the store. Sand Cloud's ambassador network exceeds 100,000 members, and the #savethefishies hashtag, coined by a customer, has become the brand's signature rallying cry for ocean conservation. The retail store stocks towels, blankets, bedding, apparel, water bottles, and jewelry, all reflecting the coastal aesthetic that propelled the company from a maxed-out credit card startup to a Shopify growth leader. Leibel and Ford credit their SDSU Piedra del Sol apartment days with shaping the hustle that built the brand, a story profiled by CNBC, Capital One's small business spotlight, and SDSU's alumni magazine. The company also runs a storefront in Encinitas and hosts an annual employee retreat in San Diego that includes team beach cleanups, keeping the mission tangible for its more than 30 remote staff. Ocean lovers exploring the Garnet corridor can continue their walk to Firehouse American Eatery & Lounge for a casual meal nearby.