By C.J Renolds | Strong Female Leaders

Best Shark Tank Inventions Made By Women

1) CitiKitty and HoodiePillow

In 2005, after moving into a tiny New York City apartment, Rebecca Rescate had no space to keep a litter box for her cat, Samantha. Instead of being frustrated with this challenge, Rescate put her design background to work and developed a system to train her cat to use the toilette.

On the show, several Sharks laughed at the product, questioning whether it was too ridiculous to market. Barbara Corcoran, Shark Tank's most seasoned female shark, saw something special in the CitiKitty system, and offered Rescate $100,000 for 15%, but with contingencies from outside partners' agreement. Eventually, Kevin Harrington negotiated the same amount of investment for 20% of the company.

In a short time, CitiKitty became a runaway success. At one point, it held the top selling spot on Amazon for the Home and Garden department.

Because of CitiKitty's success, Rescate received another invitation to Shark Tank to demonstrate another invention, the HoodiePillow. Again, the Sharks, this time including Barbara Corcoran, expressed skepticism, Robert Herjavec stepped up to give Rebecca the exact deal she requested, $90,000 in exchange for 20% of the business.

Today, Both of Rebecca's products are successfully selling.
Website: https://www.citikitty.com/ and https://www.hoodiepillow.com/.

2) SmartGurlz

Founded by Sharmi Albrechtsen in 2016, SmartGurlz appeared on Shark Tank with their line of educational robotic dolls that taught young girls to code through an integrated app. Frustrated by how robotics toys in stores all seemed to target boys, Albrechtsen marshaled her MBA-trained business acumen to create a product to fill the much-needed market of STEM toys for girls.

Each SmartGurlz doll has its own personality and back story. For example, Maria the math genius and Zara the tech wizard. Albrechtsen ensured that her dolls represent diverse interests and appearances, just like the girls she created the dolls for.

During her pitch to the Sharks, Albrechtsen received a $200,000 investment for 25% of the company from Daymond John. Within a year, the product launched in mega-retailer, Walmart, and sold over $1 million units. What's most amazing about SmartGurlz is that the company continues to focus on giving young women fun, confidence-building tools to succeed.
Website:https://www.smartgurlz.com/

3) Grace and Lace

Grace and Lace, run by wife and husband team Melissa and Rick Hinnant, appeared on Shark Tank in 2013. With a winning pitch that showcased one of their most successful products, a line of stylish boot socks, the company emerged from difficult circumstances and is now a shining success.

In 2010, Melissa took up crocheting to make a baby blanket for the expecting couple's baby, but the couple faced tragedy when their daughter was stillborn. Desperately needing a new focus, Melissa began knitting beautifully-decorated boot socks and leg warmers. They became an immediate hit online.

Barbara Corcoran immediately recognized something special about Melissa's company, and offered Grace and Lace $175,000 for 10% of the company. Under Corcoran's guidance, the company has since sold over $20 million worth of their products. The Hinnats then partnered with several charities to provide shelter and resources for orphans and sex trafficking victims overseas.

With help from Barbara and Shark Tank, The Hinnants turned tragedy into triumph, and is now helping others as well.
Website: https://www.graceandlace.com/

4) Simply Fit

Simply Fit, a balance board used primarily for abdominal fitness, appeared on Shark Tank in 2015. The equipment cost very little to make, is easy to use and requires little room. Its Co-founders, Linda Clark and Gloria Hoffman, secured an investment from Shark queen Lori Greiner with a $125,000 offer in exchange for 20% equity in the company. Greiners' connections and marketing expertise helped Clark and Hoffman move fast. With Greiner's help, the Simply Fit boosted their sales from half a million dollars to over $9 million, starting from infomercial to retailing at stores internationally.

Today, Simply Fit continues to help people improve their fitness.

Website: https://www.simplyfitboard.com/

5) Stasher

Arguably one of the most eco-friendly everyday products ever to appear on the show, Stasher is a self-sealing, food-grade silicone reusable storage bag. It aims to replace disposable plastic bags in home kitchens. The product's inventor, Kat Nouri, spent years perfecting the product before approaching the Sharks for an investment in a 2018 episode.

Having already secured retailers like Target for her product before appearing on the show, Nouri negotiated a $400,000 investment from Mark Cuban, and an additional line of credit, for 15% of her company. Since the show aired, Stasher has generated significant online buzz and secured a small army of fans on platforms such as Instagram, indicating strong momentum.

Website: https://www.stasherbag.com/

6) Wicked Good Cupcakes

Family business, Wicked Good Cupcakes, started with mother-daughter duo, Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches. What makes these Wicked Good Cupcakes amazing is that they are delicious cakes packaged in jars, ready to be scooped and devoured. These jarred cakes also comes with almost 20 different flavors, all made with no preservatives. Shark Tank's most tough shark, Kevin O'Leary, offered them a royalty-based deal, agreeing to an investment of $75,000 for a $1 royalty on each cupcake sold for the first 75,000 units, then a $0.45 royalty in perpetuity.

The deal proved highly profitable as Wicked Good Cupcakes has sold over $14 million worth of cakes and cupcakes since appearing on the show. Kevin later helped Tracey and Danielle expand the business by connecting them with his wedding-based businesses, inspiring the pair to propose other gift-based selling opportunities, and new products such as cookie jars and cheesecake jars.

Today, Wicked Good Cupcakes sells nation wide, and its success continues to skyrocket. Website: https://www.wickedgoodcupcakes.com/

7) Delighted by Hummus

Another delicious product that appeared on Shark Tank is the much-raved-about Delighted by Hummus. Founder Makenzie Marzluff used her background in nutrition to create a healthy cookie-flavored dip that combines hummus with chocolates. Many sharks offered to invest in the company, but Cuban was so enticed that he offered Marzluff a shocking $600,000 for 25% of her company.

Since debuting on Shark Tank, Marzluff has been growing her culinary creativity into a nationally-distributed brand, with over half a dozen flavors.

Website: https://delightedbyhummus.com



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