Highlights
- Shark Tank is one of the most loved reality shows on TV with 15 seasons till date.
- The show has witnessed many wacky products which garnered both positive and negative responses from the Sharks
- Some examples are I Made A Cat For You, Chapul, and PDX Pet Design.
Did you know that August 2024 will clock in the 15th successful year of Shark Tank? A total of 15 seasons and 300+ episodes are a testament to the show’s never-ending love story with its viewers.
Ever wondered what could be the reasons that have allowed it to stay relevant even after airing the same old concept for over a decade? What is the unique aspect that has helped the show manage to have a strong foothold in the lives of the viewers?
Uncovering the Success Drivers
When it comes to identifying and listing out the main driving forces behind the popularity and success of Shark Tank, most of the people would state the obvious, which are:
- Innovative business pitches
- Stories of ambitious entrepreneurs chasing their dreams
- Collaboration of millionaire judges and budding entrepreneurs
But if you truly think about it, have these points alone increased the success graph of Shark Tank? Wouldn’t watching full-fledged, serious business based concepts every single episode become boring for the viewers? Wouldn’t the ratings of the show plummet?
Then what is that one factor that infuses a breath of fresh air into the show repeatedly season after season? What keeps its interest alive in the minds and hearts of the regular viewers? Well here’s the revelation. It is nothing but “wacky products” that bring in a sprinkle of fun and creativity, which in turn amuse the viewers.
Don’t believe it? Read through this blog to find out the wackiest Shark Tank products of all time and get yourself absorbed in amusement:
1. I Want To Draw A Cat For You
Just like its eccentric name, I Want To Draw A Cat For You, presented by stick-figure-cat-artist Steve Gadlin captivated the Sharks within seconds. How? Steve, in the most hilarious way, started a little musical performance so as to present his pitch in a completely unique manner. While doing so he made an offer worth $10K for 25% of his company and explained the entire process that he follows in making the product.
All you need to do is go to his site, describe a cat, and then he will draw it and email it to you. The cat could be short and fat, bear a pork pie hat, and match the vibe that you want.
How did the Sharks React?
The judges couldn’t control their laughs and were seen enjoying the entire performance.
But then came the best part when before anyone else could mock Steve for his funny dance, he himself called himself an “idiot” and then countered the same by stating that “there is an economy for the stupid and I am overflowing with it now.” He then revealed that he charges $9.92 per drawing and gave different cat drawings based on their interests to the Sharks.
Despite being entertained during the whole pitch each of the Sharks backed out, except for Mark Cuban who sealed the deal for $25K for 33%. He even did the “dance” with Steve after it:)
2. Chapul
Backdrop: What’s your take on eating insects? Nauseated by the thought of it? But hold on! What if the insects are turned into energy bars? Crazy, right? Well, believe it or not but one such product came to the judges of Shark Tank in one of its early seasons.
Pat Crowley, a passionate entrepreneur from Utah came up with his product Chapul seeking an investment of $50K for 5% equity. He asserted that “we’re changing the way people think about food” with his standout energy bar, which is made out of crickets. Projecting it as a revolutionary, sustainable, and eco-friendly form of protein, Pat said that it’s “about time” that America could match up with many countries of the world which consume insects.
How did the Sharks React?
The judges didn’t seem much convinced with this unique yet wacky product and cited reasons like fear of bugs, novel nature of the business, etc. to stay out of. However, Robert Herjavec and Mark Cuban showed their interest in making an investment and presented their offers. In the end, it was Mark who bagged the deal of $50K for 15% equity in the company.
3. PDX Pet Design
Tara and Jason O’Mara, a couple driven by their peculiar love for cats, came up in Shark Tank to seek an investment worth $3K for 15% equity in their company PDX Pet Design. Wondering why it’s peculiar? Well, the answer is their peculiar product.
Tara and Jason met online, got married, and adopted cats…. and more cats. But the real problem arose when their cats didn’t play with the colorful toys they bought for them for more than five minutes. This gave them the idea to come up with their own creation in the form of PDX Pet Design, which they claimed would improve the lifestyle of cats as well their relationship with their owners.
How did the Sharks React?
Under this label, they developed multiple products; the first one was a shrew, designed to mimic a small animal’s movements. The other was Wiki Brush, the wacky product, which is in the shape of an animal’s tongue and requires humans to place it in their mouths and then lick on to their cat’s fur. Weird, right? The Sharks felt the same. Eventually, none of them seemed much impressed and opted out of the deal.
To Sum Up
Shark Tank is a pretty well-known reality television series that has earned the love of viewers from across the globe. With every passing year, its popularity has grown manifold, compelling budding entrepreneurs to come up with their product on a stage where they are accepted. Additionally, they are able to build a global presence overnight. But in an attempt to outdo the competition and rise above the rest, they enroute the tricky path via wacky products.
The constant urge to appear distinctive and be noticed instantly leads to the creation of products that are supremely amusing. However, that doesn’t guarantee a 100% success rate. Thus, it’s crucial that one carefully maintains a balance between the amusing and useful nature of their product.
Entrepreneur, auteur, raconteur. Rob Merlino is a blogger and writer who enjoys the Shark Tank TV show and Hot Dogs. A father of five who freelances in a variety of publications, Rob has a stable of websites including Shark Tank Blog, Hot Dog Stories, Rob Merlino.com and more.
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