Shark
Tank, the hit business-themed reality show on ABC, is a favorite for many of us who are entreVIEW authors. Back in 2014, Dan wrote about watching Shark Tank with his daughter in this post. Now in its eighth season, Shark Tank continues to draw more than five million viewers who are drawn to the excitement of watching entrepreneur-contestants pitch ingenious businesses to a panel of “shark” investors. Have you ever been inspired to purchase a product as seen on Shark Tank? My husband and I have been fans of the show for years and we’ve been inspired by some great pitches to make a few purchases after learning about products on the show:
(1) Scrub Daddy. The Scrub Daddy sponge is the most successful product to ever appear on Shark Tank and it also had one of the most polished pitches. This reusable super sponge changes its texture from firm in cold water to soft in warm water, and it’s scratch-free and odor-free. Plus the cute smiley-face shape has a unique design element: his eyes hold your fingers and his mouth cleans both sides of utensils. Since airing on Shark Tank, Scrub Daddy has sold more than 10 million units for total sales of more than $50 million since the pitch. I love the sponge itself and the success story is amazing.
(2) Tipsy Elves. Tipsy Elves saved the day for an ugly sweater party we went to last year. This business makes funny holiday sweaters and other festive apparel. Since making a deal with Robert Herjavec, the Tipsy Elves business has exploded. In an update segment in 2016, they revealed that they were projecting $8 million in sales and have expanded the product line beyond Christmas sweaters to many different occasions, from the Fourth of July to weddings.
(3) Kodiak Cakes. I learned about Kodiak Cakes on Shark Tank and was delighted to find them in our neighborhood Target. Two entrepreneurs from Park City, Utah, created this flapjack and waffle mix with 100% whole grains and no added fats or sugars. Kodiak Cakes has exploded in popularity since the show: they’ve expanded their product line to include oatmeal and dessert mixes and they gained distribution through national club retailers like Costco. Kodiak Cakes have been featured in Martha Stewart Living, Weight Watchers, Bon Appétit, and many top food blogs.
I may be doing some more Shark Tank shopping soon . . . This weekend, we’re going to the Big Hair Ball, a fundraiser for the Des Moines Art Center that my sister is chairing. The 2017 Big Hair Ball theme, Alchemy, is inspired by the current exhibition Alchemy: Transformations in Gold and guests are encouraged to dress in all their gold and glitz. I’ve been planning my sparkliest outfit for weeks, but my husband doesn’t have anything gold to wear. (Shocking, I know!) I caught a Shark Tank rerun and discovered the perfect way to transform his favorite suit into something special for the fundraiser: The Lapel Project. Instead of buying a gold tuxedo, with this product, he could walk the red carpet with a gold sequin lapel temporarily attached to his favorite suit. TBD whether a sparkly lapel is husband-approved.
Mother’s Day is also this weekend. If you’re still looking for a gift, check out this article at the Forbes website with a gallery of the top 12 gourmet gifts for Mom from entrepreneurs who’ve appeared on Shark Tank. There are some great ideas, from Seedsheets themed gardening kits to gourmet cupcakes in a jar from Wicked Good Cupcakes. When Seedsheets last appeared on QVC, they sold out in only eight minutes, and they have more QVC sales in the pipeline. Since airing on the show, Wicked Good Cupcakes has sold more than one million units, totaling more than $12 million in revenue. If all else fails, every Mom is bound to love a Scrub Mommy sponge, and breakfast in bed with Kodiak Cakes. Happy Shopping!
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