Odd 'Shark Tank' Products That Actually Became Hugely Successful
ABC's Shark Tank has provided scrappy entrepreneurs with very public opportunities to make their business dreams come true. Yet not every pitch was a sure thing at first sight — and sometimes the sharks even passed on what are now massively profitable brands. In fact, of the hundreds of products the sharks have ever seen, these odd inventions are easily the strangest... but now they're all hugely successful.
NeatCheeks ($1 million)
Flavored face wipes might not seem like a hit product, but in 2015 Julia Rossi and Danielle Stangler landed a deal with Barbara Corcoran worth $150k for a 25 percent stake in their business. Believe it or not, Danielle actually invented the product by accident when she wiped her 22-month-old daughter's face with a napkin that had been dipped in lemonade. Sales reportedly hit $1 million in 2021.
Chef Big Shake ($5 million)
Shawn Davis, better known as Chef Big Shake, was invited on Shark Tank in 2012 to pitch his homemade shrimp burgers. The sharks enjoyed them... but not enough to invest. However, the show exploded Shawn's business, and he accommodated his new fans with an expanded menu. Today, he's made more than $5 million from his products.
Safe Grabs ($5 million)
Burning your hands on a hot bowl in the microwave is always unpleasant. That's why Cyndi Lee created a silicone mat that sits under your reheated meal and folds around your dish when you pick it up. Lori thought the invention was perfect for QVC, and she was right: the pair have made something like $5 million since the product's debut.
InstaFire ($7.5 million)
If you need help starting a fire, InstaFire can do the job. This fire-starter kit comes with volcanic rock, wood pellets, and paraffin wax and makes a fire 16 inches high for at least 30 minutes. Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner invested together on this product — and it's since made $7.5 million in revenue.