Many entrepreneurs who appeared on Shark Tank USA started with little money, major obstacles, or even complete failure before turning their businesses into multi-million-dollar brands. Here are five inspiring success stories of struggling entrepreneurs who made it big after the show.
Struggles: Before appearing on Shark Tank USA, Aaron Krause was an inventor who had many failed ideas. His sponge company, Scrub Daddy, struggled to gain traction, and he had no major retailers carrying his product.
Shark Tank Deal: Lori Greiner invested $200,000 for 20% equity in Season 4 (2012).
Success: After the episode aired, Scrub Daddy exploded in popularity. It became one of the best-selling products in Shark Tank history, with over $300 million in revenue. The smiley-faced sponge is now available in major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
Struggles: David and Randy were struggling to make their buy-one, donate-one sock business profitable. Despite having a great mission, they needed funding and guidance to scale the company.
Shark Tank Deal: Daymond John invested $200,000 for 17.5% equity in Season 6 (2014).
Success: Bombas has become one of the most successful Shark Tank USA companies, generating over $300 million in revenue. The company has expanded beyond socks to include T-shirts and underwear and has donated over 100 million pairs of socks to homeless shelters.
Struggles: Jamie Siminoff had maxed out his credit cards and taken on debt to fund his smart doorbell company, then called “DoorBot.” When he pitched on Shark Tank USA, he was desperate for an investment.
Shark Tank Outcome: The Sharks rejected his $700,000 offer for 10% equity in Season 5 (2013), and he left without a deal.
Success: Despite the rejection, Jamie rebranded the company as Ring and continued to grow. Amazon later bought Ring for $1 billion in 2018, making it one of the biggest Shark Tank “misses” in history.
Struggles: These two brothers were struggling financially and living together when they came up with the idea of The Comfy—an oversized hoodie-blanket hybrid. They had no sales and no business experience when they pitched on Shark Tank USA.
Shark Tank Deal: Barbara Corcoran invested $50,000 for 30% equity in Season 9 (2017).
Success: The Comfy went viral after Shark Tank and became a multi-million dollar brand, selling in major stores like Costco, Walmart, and Amazon. It has made over $250 million in sales and continues to thrive.
Struggles: Bobby and his mother Judy had developed the Squatty Potty to help with bathroom posture, but they struggled to market it due to the awkward nature of their product. They needed help to break into mainstream retail.
Shark Tank Deal: Lori Greiner invested $350,000 for 10% equity in Season 6 (2014).
Success: The product went viral, thanks in part to a hilarious unicorn-themed commercial that became an internet sensation. Squatty Potty has since made over $175 million in sales and is now a common household item in the U.S.
You May Also Like:
What Is 5G and How Will It Change the World?
These five entrepreneurs faced huge struggles before and even after Shark Tank USA, but with the right investments and strategies, they turned their failing businesses into multi-million-dollar empires. Their stories prove that persistence, innovation, and the right mentorship can turn even the biggest challenges into incredible successes.
When you bite into a croissant, you probably think of a charming Parisian café, a…
The animal kingdom never fails to surprise us. Beyond the fur, feathers, and fins lies…
Herbal teas: When the seasons change or stress levels increase, our immune system often requires…
In the misty mountains of Turkey and the cliffs of Nepal, mad honey has fascinated…
Are you looking for ways to lower heart attack risk? Heart attacks are often sudden,…
Bad breath(halitosis) is a common condition around the world. Almost 1/4th of the world population…