Scrub Daddy Inc. is a cleaning product company best known for eponymous sponges it manufactures in the shape of a smiley face. Most products are made of a polymer which changes texture – firm in cold water and soft in warm water.[1] As of 2024, Scrub Daddy had the third highest revenue of any product successfully pitched on the ABC reality show Shark Tank.[2]
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cleaning products |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Aaron Krause |
| Headquarters | 1700 Suckle Highway Pennsauken Township, New Jersey , US |
| Products | Sponges |
| Website | scrubdaddy |
History
editAfter damaging the exterior of a vehicle when cleaning the outside, detailer Aaron Krause invented a line of buffing and polishing pads. The company was acquired by 3M in August 2008. 3M did not purchase a line of sponges Krause had invented, leaving them to sit in his factory. Five years later, Krause used the remaining sponges to clean his dishes and lawn furniture. According to Krause, this is when he "realized his multi-million dollar idea."[1][3][4]
According to the company's website, Scrub Daddy, Inc. was officially founded in 2012 with grassroots marketing.[5] On the Shark Tank episode originally airing in October 2012, Lori Greiner made a 20% equity stake deal with Krause for $200,000.[6] The following day, Greiner and Krause sold 42,000 sponges in under seven minutes on QVC.[7] Greiner then helped Scrub Daddy to be sold in retail stores such as Bed, Bath & Beyond. In January 2017, Scrub Daddy's total revenues surpassed $100 million – the highest of any Shark Tank product.[8] As of May 2024, the company's lifetime sales were $926 million.[2] In Season 14 Episode 13, it was reported that Scrub Daddy in 10 years has 273 employees, 160 products, sold in 257,000 retail locations, and is a top 3 grossing company in Shark Tank history, having sold more than $926 million in retail sales as of May 2023.[2]
Products
editScrub Daddy
editScrub Daddy is made from a strong "high-tech polymer", which is likely to be polycaprolactone based on prior patent filings.[9][10] The texture changes in water: soft in hot water, firm in cold water. The original Scrub Daddy is a yellow circular scrubber with a smiling face punched into it. Krause has two patents on its design. Scrub Daddy’s unique design goes beyond just its appearance; the smiling face has practical functionality. The eyes of the scrubber can be used to clean the bottom of cups and other circular items by fitting both your fingers through, while the mouth is ideal for scrubbing larger items such as spoons or knives. This design innovation, combined with the texture-changing properties, has contributed to its popularity and versatility in households worldwide.[3]
Other products
editThe brand consists of more than 20 products,[11] including scouring pads, dual-sided sponges, sink organizers, soap dispensers and household erasers.[7][12][13][14]
References
edit- ^ a b "How I Made My Millions: Scrub Daddy". CNBC. NBR. 13 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "8 Most Successful Products From "Shark Tank"". Investopedia. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ a b Sawyer, Nicole (20 March 2014). "Sponge Soaks Up 'Shark Tank' Success, Sales Balloon to $18M". ABC News. Good Morning America. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ "3M Acquires Paint Finishing Business". 3M. 23 September 2008. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ "About Us". Scrub Daddy. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Adams, Susan (18 March 2016). "Ten Of The Best Businesses To Come Out Of Shark Tank". Forbes. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ a b Walker, Jodi (5 December 2014). "Where To Buy 'Shark Tank's Scrub Daddy So You Can Help It Remain the Series' Most Successful Product". Bustle. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Whitney, Alyse (12 January 2017). "The One Shark Tank Product Actually Worth Buying". Bon Appétit. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ "Scrub Daddy Science | Chemical Education Xchange". 3 January 2018. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
- ^ US application 2014075699, Krause, Aaron C., "Thermochromic foam cleaning pad and process for making the same", published 2014-03-20, since abandoned.
- ^ "One of Shark Tank's Best Selling Dishwashing Products of All-Time is Only $7". In The Know. 2020-03-09. Archived from the original on 2021-02-16. Retrieved 2020-05-29.
- ^ Mastrull, Diane (30 June 2014). "Big Daddy". The Inquirer. Philly.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Takiff, Jonathan (13 March 2016). "Gizmo Guy: Home Grown". The Inquirer. Philly.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- ^ Schwartzberg, Lauren (2 May 2016). "An All-Purpose Sponge That's Better Than Your Average Scotch-Brite". New York Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.