Entertainment
10 'Shark Tank' Gifts for the Wonderful, Budding Investor in All of Us
We're all looking for the next hottest item that'll make life easier while being super trendy. Luckily, you can be one step ahead with Christmas gifts featured on ABC's Shark Tank. The series shows products that are on the verge of a breakthrough — which usually comes soon after they hit the stage, whether the sharks bite or not. There's something special about the items that one or more of the show's picky investors do choose to invest in and they're the ones that should make your Shark Tank Christmas list.
Breathometer
Got a hard-partying friend? This iPhone breathalyzer was deemed to have so much potential that it became the first product to attract investments from all five sharks. For $49, the breath-tester comes with an ethanol sensor, a chipset, and a battery. All you have to do is plug it into your iPhone and blow to get your blood-alcohol level. The Breathometer app will even let you know how long it’ll be before it’s OK to drive.
Available from the Breathometer website and Amazon
Image: Breathometer/Facebook
Lollacup
For the babies on your gift list, this sippy cup is a valve-free weighted cup with a straw for infants and toddlers. Mark Cuban and Robert Herjavec invested $100,000 in exchange for 40 percent of the company. The Lollacup is available in multiple colors, at least one of which the kid on your list has to like.
Image: Lollacup/Facebook
Scrub Daddy
This smiley sponge is more than just a happy face. The lemon-scented cleaner is Shark Tank’s biggest success story. Lori Greiner made a deal with Krause for $200,000 in return for a 20 percent stake and Scrub Daddy has made over $18 million since.
Scrub Daddy, $13, Amazon
Image: GetScrubDaddy/Facebook
Wicked Good Cupcakes
Ever wish your cupcakes came in an easy-to-store mason jar? Look no further than Shark Tank success story Wicked Good Cupcakes, which are edible cupcakes that are layered in a trendy mason jar. Kevin O’Leary invested $75,000 in exchange for royalties instead of equity, and the company is planning to bring in $3 million in sales by the end of this year.
Available from the Wicked Good Cupcakes website and New England locations
Image: WickedGoodCupakes/Facebook
180 Cup
For the current or forever college student in your life, the 180 Cup is the red plastic cup that keeps on giving — with a handy-dandy shotglass-shaped indent on the bottom. Daymond John invested in these stackable booze holders that will be sure to enhance any beer pong game.
Available from the 180 Cup website and Amazon
Image: 180Cup/Facebook
Wild Friends Nut Butter
Formerly known as Wild Squirrel Nut Butter, Wild Friends Nut Butter landed a $50,000 offer from Barbara Corcoran for a 40 percent stake. The line of creative peanut butter has flavors like Chocolate Coconut, Honey Pretzel, Cinnamon Raisin, Chocolate Sunflower Seed, and Vanilla Espresso. Wild Friends Nut Butter has been featured in Oprah’s O Magazine and Glamour.
Wild Nut Butter, $27, Wild Friends Nut Butter
Image: WildFriendsNutButter/Facebook
Hoodie Pillow
For your favorite secret (or not-so-secret) napper, the Hoodie Pillow is designed to let you slumber comfortably with a “hoodie” that will block out excess light. Herjavec invested in this product — not just because everyone deserves a nice nap — but because inventors Rebecca Rescate and Chris Hindley are proven at being successful. Herjavec had also previously bought a stake in Rescate’s smash hit product City Kitty.
Hoodie Pillow, $25, Amazon
Image: HoodiePillow/Facebook
ChordBuddy
It’s hard for anyone to find time to learn the skills and take up the hobbies they really want to pursue. If playing guitar is on yours or anyone else’s list, the ChordBuddy makes the instrument super easy to learn. Travis Perry came up with the tool to teach his daughter guitar — and it can now teach you. Herjavec invested $175,000 in return for 20 percent equity in the product.
ChordBuddy, $50, ChordBuddy
Image: TheChordBuddy/Facebook
Mission Belts
Shark Tank has featured a number of easier-to-use belts, but Mission Belts have been the biggest hit so far. The no-hole accessories are made of leather and have a fashionable buckle. John made a deal for $50,000 for 37.5 percent of the company. That’s not the only way Mission Belt Co. benefited from its Shark Tank appearance — the night of the episode, the company earned $180,000 in sales, and portions of the profits also go to charity.
Mission Belts, $37, Amazon
Image: Mission Belt Co/Facebook
ReadeRest
Got that relative who keeps misplacing their glasses? Consider gifting them the ReadeRest and putting it under their tree this Christmas. Rick Hopper’s product is a magnetic clip that secures spectacles somewhere on its person. Greiner gave Hopper give Hopper $150,000 for a 65 percent of the company. Since then, the product has frequently sold out on QVC and the company has made a cool $8 million since its Shark Tank debut.
Image: ReadeREST/Facebook
