Who is Nikki Linn? Meet 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' primary guest who was earlier on 'Shark Tank'

Nikki is hoping to pay a tribute to her late father as they cruise the Croatian coasts

PUBLISHED MAR 2, 2021

Nikki and Russ from 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' (Russ/ Instagram)

As the preference sheet meeting commenced, Captain Glenn Shephard 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' introduced primary guests Nikki Linn and partner Russ Niedwick. He pointed out they were vegan, which meant some extra work and thinking for chef Natasha De Bourg. But she doesn't mind because her job is "to get it done."

During the course of the charter, Nikki hopes to pay tribute to her late father by remembering him as they cruised the Croatian coasts. But those dreams were crushed briefly. More on that when the episode airs. First, let's take a look at the backstories of the entrepreneurs.

'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' Season 2: Release date, trailer, cast and all you need to know about Bravo reality show

They were on Shark Tank. From a fan page, we have gathered that Nikki and Russ were a part of 'Shark Tank' Season 10, Episode 10. The two fashionably arrived on their bike and pitched their idea — Kitty Kasas — to the sharks. They came in seeking $200,000 for 20 percent, but Lori Greiner settled with 30 percent. The couple claimed that an overseas company copied their idea and that they have gone legal with it.

Nikki and Russ were looking for assistance with "sales and marketing, website redesign and social media marketing," Shark Tank Blog reported. Kitty Kasas make indestructible, modular, and stackable cat beds and gyms. The bedrooms are priced at $40 per unit, while the gym unit is $70. They sell on Amazon and PetCo, the site reported. A portion of the amount earned from sales is then donated to a string of shelters.

But their journey began much before 'Shark Tank'. Nikki and Russ met when she founded Daytona Beach-based no-kill cat shelter called 'The Arni Foundation'. Together, they traveled the world and saved scores of animals. A quick look at their Instagram feeds will tell you how passionate they are about animals and their well-being.

Nikki's timeline is dotted with disturbing images of animals being killed for meat and fur. The idea is to have her followers see the brutality of it all.

Catch all the new episodes of 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' Season 2 on Bravo every Monday at 9/8c. For more information, check your local listings.