ABC announced Shark Tank is gearing up for its 13th season this 2021-2022. Its longevity on TV proves there is a demand from viewers, making it a worthwhile investment for ABC.
Thanks to streaming services like Hulu, I watched every episode and sometimes felt like I sat alongside the sharks. For example, I can quickly calculate valuations based on how much companies are offering. Also, I quickly shake my head when companies only offer 5% of their business.
Have they not seen the show?
Several pitches are entertaining to watch. And, the tough love talk from Mr. Wonderful can make anyone say, “Ouch.” Yet, I still appreciate and admire his business sense as well as the other sharks.
Shark tank has done so much for entrepreneurs and small business owners to build generational wealth for their families.
Looking back at the last 12 seasons, here are my favorite pitches. Now, these pitches don’t necessarily mean they are successful business ventures. So, although some investments have become big hits, other pitches highlight the shark within these investors.
1. Daisy Cakes
Kim Nelson, the owner of Daisy Cakes, brought her prize-winning cakes as she pitched to the sharks for an investment. All the sharks loved her cakes, and she accepted deal with Barbara Corcoran. Barbara gave Kim a $50,000 investment in exchange for 25% equity and $1 for each cake sold.
Are her cakes that good? After my wife and I saw Daisy Cakes on TV, we knew we had to order one. And, now, it’s become a family tradition, ordering a cake for any special occasion.
Additionally, Daisy Cakes also offers Vegan cakes, which are perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
2. eCreamery Ice Cream
Remember when I said this is my list of favorite Shark Tank pitches? Well, eCreamery is no exception. This ice cream shop has a little special place in my heart mainly because it’s a drivable distance from where I live.
I recall seeing their pitch and made it a high priority to get a Shark Tank-themed ice cream. And, to no surprise, they were extremely business after the show aired on TV, and they featured the same Shark Tank-inspired flavors they used during their pitch.
Sadly, although the Sharks loved the product, none of them chose to invest. In addition, the Sharks did not like the idea of having a “brick and mortar” shop due to having to pay rent. However, Abby and Becky worked with local bank to loan them to fulfill all their orders.
3. I Want To Draw a Cat For You!
Categorize I Want To Draw Cat For You! as one of the exciting kinds of pitches on Shark Tank. Steve Gadlin, the owner, performed an original song and dance as part of his pitch, offering 25% of his company in exchange for $10,000.
Steve takes requests for a unique drawing of cats, and his numbers were good enough that Mark Cuban invested in the company. As a celebration, Cuban also performed the “cat dance” too.
4. Esso Watches
This product makes my favorite pitches list, not because of its revenue. Instead, this pitch reveals the shark-ness of Mark Cuban. Cuban quickly declined to receive the watch and remarked that he doesn’t invest in scams.
Owner, Ryan Naylor, attested that his watch could provide the wearer with balance through its negative ion technology. However, because it lacked science-backed studies, none of the sharks invested. However, this didn’t stop Cuban from going in and tearing up Ryan’s pitch to pieces.
5. Onesole
Onesole is one of the first pitches I saw once I discovered Shark Tank. Dominique Barteet, a pharmacist, created this product during her free time.
As the name describes, the product allows people to change out the top of the shoe while keeping the same sole. This shoe design quickly got the attention of fashion mogul Daymond John.
Barteet sought a $500,000 investment in exchange for 25% of her company. The sharks asked her why she needed the capital since she was a pharmacist. She admitted her money was tied up making improvements to her real estate property in Florida, which a significant storm impacted during the time.
One of the beauties of Shark Tank is its ability to help business owners in need. Unfortunately, there have been companies that have been on the show for the sake of free publicity. However, Barteet was very humble and even shared doubts during her pitch. The sharks supported her, and she got a deal!
6. ReadeREST
Typically, business owners prepare for hours for their pitch. And, sometimes, they stumble on their words or even freeze up.
How do you think the sharks would react when someone stumbles walking in? Well, that happened. But the sharks knew he did it on purpose. Even Mr. Wonderful commented, “Bad acting.”
However, ReadeREST worked. It’s a simple and small hook held together by magnetics, giving someone a place to hang their glasses.
With investment from Laurie Greiner, ReadeREST went on to achieve more success. So, although he was down on the ground, he picked himself up and made some money.
7. PureAyre
What if I told you that there was a product that could get rid of the odor while safe? That’s what the founder, James Mitchell, proved during his pitch, getting rid of order and spraying it in his mouth.
However, although the sharks loved the product, they didn’t like him for the business. They offered to buy his company with plans to fire him the next day.
Mitchell thought their offer stunk and walked out with no deal.
8. Hy-Conn
Firefighter, Jeff Stroope, was looking to improve its time to connect a hose to a fire hydrant. His invention successfully displayed how his method outperformed the traditional way.
His business model was to work with government agencies to get his product regulated. But, unfortunately, the sharks were not fans of the “red tape” associated with government work and initially did not want to invest.
However, the mood in the room changed once Stroope pulled out a small prototype from his pocket, which people could use on a consumer level. So even
without sales, the sharks saw potential, and we’re now motivated to invest.
9. Copa Di Vino
Copa Di Vino was featured twice on Shark Tank. In short, it’s wine in a glass versus a bottle.
Martin and the other sharks could never agree on deal, although the sharks were making offers. So let’s say the owner, James Martin, did not leave a good taste in the shark’s mouths.
10. Love Pop
It’s always lovely to receive a personalized card along with a thoughtful message. However, love Pop takes it to the next level by converting 2D card to a 3D one. With Kevin O’Leary’s investment, Love Pop has grown to over 800 employees around the world.
11. Scrub Daddy
Scrub Daddy is a sponge that changes texture depending on water temperature: soft in hot water and stiff in cold water.
With investment from Laurie Greiner for $200,000 in exchange for 20% equity, founder Aaron Krause has cleaned up nicely as one of the most successful products on Shark Tank.
12. DoorBot (a.k.a. Ring)
Jamie Siminoff pitched a Wifi-enabled video doorbell to the sharks called DoorBot. Unfortunately, Siminoff never got a deal from sharks that day. Instead, he rebranded the company and became Ring, the dominant brand in the home security industry. As a result, Siminoff’s company is now valued at over a billion dollars and featured as a guest shark.