# Max Brown

> Max Brown is the Buffalo-based president of Garrett Leather and a co-founder and former CEO of Banana Phone. He and Brian Brunsing pitched the banana-shaped Bluetooth handset on Shark Tank in September 2022. His career combines leadership of a second-generation family leather supplier with a crowdfunded consumer-product venture.

- **Role:** President at Garrett Leather Corporation
- **Organizations:** Garrett Leather Corporation, Banana Phone (co-founder; former CEO)
- **Education:** University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business
- **Known for:** Helped launch Banana Phone through a 2017 crowdfunding campaign that reached 145% of its goal., Banana Phone reported more than $1.6 million in lifetime sales at its 2022 Shark Tank pitch., Became second-generation president of Garrett Leather in 2019.

## Career timeline

- **2004–2008** — Attended University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business.
- **2017** — Co-founded Banana Phone; its May Indiegogo campaign raised about $45,000.
- **2019** — Promoted to president of Garrett Leather after serving as vice president of sales.
- **2021** — Garrett Leather announced its acquisition of Mohawk River Leather Works.
- **2022** — Pitched Banana Phone with Brian Brunsing on Shark Tank season 14, episode 2, aired September 30; no investment deal.
- **2024** — Announced CTL Leather joining Garrett Leather.
- **2025** — April reporting described Brown as having stepped down as Banana Phone CEO and left the company.

## Achievements

- Helped launch Banana Phone through a 2017 crowdfunding campaign that reached 145% of its goal.
- Banana Phone reported more than $1.6 million in lifetime sales at its 2022 Shark Tank pitch.
- Became second-generation president of Garrett Leather in 2019.
- Led Garrett Leather during its announced acquisitions of Mohawk River Leather Works and CTL Leather.

## Latest updates

- **2024-07** — Garrett Leather announced CTL Leather joining the company, expanding its offering to over 1,800 in-stock leather colors.
- **2025-04** — SlashGear reported that Brown had stepped down as Banana Phone CEO and left the company.

## Links

- Website: https://garrettleather.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-brown-5785b912

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/max-brown
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21