Top 10 Rejected Shark Tank Products That Succeeded On Amazon
#10: Buzzy
Intended for children receiving needles or finger pricks, Buzzy is a small, reusable, and vibrating ice pack. According to their own product description, “Buzzy combines fast and focused ice-cold temperature and vibration therapies to replace pain before it can reach your brain.” The product’s founder, Dr. Amy Baxter, was asking the sharks for $500,000 in return for 5%. She was turned down for a variety of reasons, including her high valuation and shoddy sales strategy. Baxter was offered $500,000 for 20%, but she declined - much to the disappointment of Barbara, who called it an “arrogant” move. Regardless, Buzzy seems to be doing well. It has an average of 4.3 stars on Amazon and is estimated to be in 5,000 hospitals and clinics.
#9: Eco Nuts
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Organic laundry detergent, anyone? Eco Nuts use “soap berries” from the Himalayan Lychee tree to provide a clean and green laundry experience. The nuts clean without the use of artificial detergent and serve as a natural fabric softener, resulting in softer clothes and an alleviation of potential skin allergies - not to mention the complete elimination of plastic bottles. Asking $175,000 for 15%, most of the sharks rejected the item - with the exception of Robert, who asked for 50% of the company. He was turned down, and Eco Nuts walked without a backer. Luckily, they seem to be doing well through Amazon, generating strong ratings and countless “they really do work!” reviews.
#8: SoapSox
Another item aimed at children, the SoapSox is a cute method to make bath time a little more bearable and fun. This is a soft, cuddly animal made of terry cloth and sponge with an opening for both bar and liquid soap. It combines the fun of a stuffed animal with the convenience of a washcloth, allowing for a pleasant bath experience for both baby and parent. The founders sought $260,000 for 10% and were given numerous counters; Daymond offered the money for 33%, and both Lori and Robert offered to buy the company outright for $1 million. Both offers were rejected, and they walked away with nothing. The SoapSox seems to be doing quite well on Amazon, and it can be purchased for just $15.
#7: Nerdwax
Things like these have you slapping your forehead and yelling, “Why didn’t I think of that!?” Nerdwax is a small stick of beeswax that you apply to the nose pads of your glasses, preventing them from slipping down your face over time. The wax needs to be continuously re-applied, but it may last for a couple of hours. The founders, Don and Lydia Hejney, asked $80,000 for 20% and received a few counter offers in response. However, Mark cautioned them against taking a deal, as it would incur unwanted debt. The Heyney’s took Mark’s advice and declined the offers. Nerdwax is now hugely popular through Amazon, with over 5,000 ratings and an average of 3.9 out of 5.
#6: MealEnders
There are a million diet tricks out there, and MealEnders wants to take a bite out of that market. MealEnders are little candies that are meant to lessen one’s appetite and prevent overeating. According to the company, “The 2-layer formula rewards and resets your taste buds to signal mouth and mind that it’s time to stop eating and heighten mindful eating behavior.” The candy’s founder, Mark Bernstein, wanted $350,000 for 8% but walked away without a deal. However, his appearance on the show did boost sales significantly. They can be found on Amazon, priced at $31.95 for two packs of 25 candies. They also come in a wide variety of flavors, including chocolate mint, citrus, cinnamon, and mocha.
#5: Kodiak Cakes
You wouldn’t think that a pancake and waffle mix would cause such an uproar, but you haven’t tried Kodiak Cakes. Founded by Cameron Smith and Joel Clark, Kodiak Cakes use dry ingredients drawn from Clark’s grandfather’s hotcake recipe. Made from 100% whole grains and packing a ton of protein, Kodiak Cakes have become a huge sensation. They have an average rating of 4.7 on Amazon and sold well through Target - according to Clark, Kodiak Cakes accounted for 54% of the chain’s pancake category share. Despite this, they walked away from the Shark Tank without a deal after rejecting Kevin, Barbara, and Robert’s offers.
#4: Rocketbook
As the fitting name suggests, we have really entered the future with the Rocketbook. Made with patented “Rocketbook technology,” this smart notebook is used for merging old school note taking with modern cloud technology. You simply write in the notebook and then transfer the notes to the cloud using the accompanying app. The notes can then be erased with a damp cloth, allowing you to re-use the templates over and over again. Despite a strong Kickstarter campaign, the Rocketbook and its founders were turned down by the sharks. No matter. The Rocketbook is now an “Amazon’s Choice” and enjoys an average rating of 4.5 from nearly 15,000 ratings. Who needs the sharks, anyway?
#3: The Lip Bar
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Back in season 6, Melissa Butler and Roscoe Speres entered the shark tank with their line of vegan liquid matte lipstick called The Lip Bar. The Lip Bar comes in dozens of different shades and is both vegan and cruelty free. The lipsticks themselves are made from shea butter, avocado oil, and jojoba oil. The problem is that competition in the makeup game is fierce. Asking $125,000 for 20%, none of the sharks seemed particularly enthused at the idea, with Robert hating the logo, Mark criticizing the branding, and both Lori and Daymond stating that the makeup market is oversaturated. The Lip Bar has proved successful on Amazon, with each $13 stick earning very strong ratings and wide commendation.
#2: Xero Shoes
It often seems like humanity has mastered the art and technology of the shoe, but then something else comes along and challenges that perception. Enter Xero shoes, which come equipped with a patented FeelTrue sole. According to the product description, these soles “let your foot bend and flex naturally” and “protects your foot while giving your brain the feedback and stimulation [it] wants.” The shoes, which often are priced at more than $100, have earned quite strong ratings on Amazon, with many praising the comfort. A version of the Xero shoe was seen on “Shark Tank,” with its founders wanting $400,000 for just 8%. Many balked at the high valuation, while the founders declined Kevin’s offer of $400,000 for 50%.
#1: Ring Doorbell
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If there’s one product the sharks are kicking themselves for turning down, it’s the Ring doorbell. A mix between a doorbell and an apartment buzzer, the Ring allows homeowners to both see and speak with whoever is at their door. The device is triggered by motion and can even be linked to Alexa. The Ring costs around $170, but according to the more than 15,000 ratings, it is well worth the money. The Ring was introduced on “Shark Tank” as DoorBot, where its founder asked for a whopping $700,000 for 10%. None of the sharks seemed particularly interested, and everyone dropped out for their own personal reasons. Well who’s laughing now?
