Some products on Shark Tank look strange at first. A soap bottle that attaches to water? A chain that sits inside your drain? It’s easy to assume these ideas are gimmicks.
But once you look closer, and especially after seeing what happens after the show, you realize some of these unusual products are actually smart, practical, and even successful businesses. The key is understanding the idea, as well as how they performed in the tank and in real life.
What Makes a Shark Tank Product Worth Buying?
Not every product that looks interesting is actually useful. The products that succeed usually have something in common.
First, these products solve a problem. It may be small or something people often deal with when using the products. Second, the products are easy to use. If a product takes much effort or setup to use, people stop using it. Finally, the products fit into everyday life without forcing people to change their habits.
That is why some unusual product ideas become product businesses, while others remain one-time purchases.
Suds2Go
Suds2Go is for handwashing. It has a water bottle with a built-in soap dispenser. Gabe and Cindy Trevizo created the product, Suds2Go. They wanted a way to wash their children’s hands when they were outside. The idea is to carry soap and water. That way, you can wash your hands anywhere.
Gabe and Cindy Trevizo went on Shark Tank Season 12, expecting to receive $200,000 in exchange for 10% of their company. They thought it was worth $2 million. Suds2Go was selling well during the pandemic.
The Sharks were interested in making a deal. In the end, Gabe and Cindy Trevizo got the deal they wanted.
After the show, people could still buy them on its official website. The premium kits cost $96. The company donated money to help people get water, and their purpose got attention.
It is good for camping or traveling. Today, Suds2Go is still a product. It is an idea, but not something everyone needs.
Drain Wig
The Drain Wig is a simple and very useful product. It was made by Jennifer and Gifford Briggs. This is a chain you can put in your drain to catch hair before it causes problems.
They appeared on Shark Tank Season 9 and asked for $300,000. They wanted to give the Sharks 5% of their company. This meant they thought their company was worth $6 million.
The Sharks did not like the price or the company’s structure. So, after a few rounds of negotiations, they left without a deal.
But Drain Wig did not need a shark to be successful. People kept buying their product online. They used commercials to tell people about it. The product was simple to understand and worked well.
You could buy a set of four Drain Wigs for around $19.95. It was a way to fix your drain without using bad chemicals. It is still a useful product and is selling out easily.
UnbuckleMe
UnbuckleMe makes it easy for people to unbuckle child car seats. A therapist with arthritis created UnbuckleMe after struggling to unbuckle car seats. She used UnbuckleMe to make it simpler to release the buckle.
The founders of UnbuckleMe appeared on Shark Tank Season 11. They asked for $100,000 to help UnbuckleMe. UnbuckleMe made a deal with Daymond John for 15% of the company. They talked about how UnbuckleMe’s great for certain people. This is what made Daymond John want to invest in UnbuckleMe.
After being on Shark Tank, UnbuckleMe began selling car accessories to more customers. Now you can buy UnbuckleMe online from Amazon.
Some people might think UnbuckleMe is not in demand. However, it solves a problem for people who need it, even if only for a small group of users.
Squatty Potty
Squatty Potty is a weird product that worked out great. It came from Shark Tank Season 6. It’s a stool that helps with posture while using the bathroom.
The founders, Bobby and Judy Edwards, wanted $350,000 for 5% of their company. They talked to the Sharks. Ended up making a deal with Lori Greiner.
After they were on the show, Squatty Potty became super popular. They did some ads that got many people talking, and it became something you could find in many homes. Now you can buy it online or in stores.
At first, the idea seemed strange. It turned out to be a great solution to a real problem, and it’s easy to use. Squatty Potty is one of the best-selling Shark Tank products of all time.
Which Unusual Products Are Actually Worth It?
Some unusual products are really useful. Others are not.
The Drain Wig is a good product because it addresses a problem many people have, whereas Suds2Go is an idea. It is creative and thoughtful, but you cannot use it every day.
The unusual products are the ones that make your life easier and fit into your everyday routine.
