A few American-made success stories from the hit show Shark Tank.
A recent Bloomberg article reported on four businesses that have been featured on the highly successful television series, Shark Tank, where business owners seek to make a deal with one of the mega-rich investors, or “sharks.” All the businesses in the article were able to secure a deal in the past and are now navigating a fast-changing tariff landscape.
Anyone who’s watched an episode of Shark Tank knows the Sharks are perennial pushers of offshore production. Despite this, there are plenty of businesses who have appeared on the reality show that continue to make their products in the United States, thus averting tariff crises. Here’s a list of seven Made in America products that have appeared on Shark Tank!
Invis-a-Rack (Season 3, Episode 7)
One of the most famous Shark Tank pitches is Donny McCall’s pitch for Invis-a-Rack. Invis-a-Rack is a retractable, easily portable cargo system for trucks. The product is extremely useful, but what has made it famous is Donny’s commitment to making it in the USA. Although the Sharks repeatedly criticized him for refusing to produce Invis-a-Rack elsewhere, Donny stuck to his guns and walked away without a deal. But his steadfast commitment to his Made in America business gained him massive respect from the public. Ultimately, Donny sold Invis-a-Rack to DeeZee, a truck accessory company based in Iowa. They still sell the Invis-a-Rack today, and it’s still American-made — proving that a commitment to domestic manufacturing can equal success, no matter what naysayers think.
Doc Spartan (Season 8, Episode 16)
When Dale King returned to Portsmouth, Ohio, from active duty in Iraq, he was shocked to find how much his hometown was struggling. The opioid epidemic and economic downturns had ravaged Portsmouth, making it unrecognizable to Dale. So, he teamed up with Renée Wallace, a member at his gym, to create Doc Spartan, an all-natural first aid ointment that can help with any kind of scratch. By making Doc Spartan entirely in Portsmouth, Dale and Renée hoped to provide much-needed jobs for people who were struggling. On Shark Tank, Dale and Renée made a deal with Robert Herjavec, which has allowed them to expand and offer other all-natural personal care products — all while remaining made in the USA.
Guardian Bikes (Season 8, Episode 21)
Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage for many kids. But a horrible accident can quickly turn a great memory into a traumatic one. Brian Riley and Kyle Jansen sought to prevent these accidents by creating Guardian Bikes. All Guardian Bikes include SureStop Technology, which allows the bike’s brakes to stop faster and easier. Brian and Kyle made a deal with Mark Cuban, but their story doesn’t end there. After several years of growing their company, Brian and Kyle realized that to provide the best product, they needed to reshore their manufacturing to the United States. This has allowed them to provide the safest bike possible, grow USA jobs, and produce their product sustainably. Click here to learn more about Guardian Bikes’ commitment to American manufacturing.
R. Riveter (Season 7, Episode 16)
Military spouses often have to move every few years, and it can be hard to find a job and build a resume. R. Riveter — founded by two military wives, Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse — seeks to change that. R. Riveter’s bags are made by military spouses all across the United States, meaning that when you buy one, you’re supporting military families. Lisa and Cameron made a deal with Cuban, who has continued to support their Made in America model and helped them expand even further. For more information on R. Riveter, check out our blog posts here and here.
Pooch Paper (Season 12, Episode 2)
Picking up after your dog’s poop isn’t just annoying and gross — it’s typically unsustainable, as most dog poop bags are made of plastic. Not Pooch Paper. Developed by Tracy Rosensteel, Pooch Paper is made of paper, making it 100% compostable and biodegradable. Although the deal she made with Kevin O’Leary fell through after the show aired, Tracy and Pooch Paper are thriving. Pooch Paper has even expanded to other products like the Pooch Pouch, which can hold your paper doggy bags. Like all Pooch Paper products, it is 100% made in the USA. If you want to learn more about Pooch Paper’s story, check out our blog post here.
Essence Aromatherapy Ring (Season 16, Episode 17)
A Made in America product that was featured on the show this year is the Essence Aromatherapy Ring. Essence is an incredibly unique product: it’s a ring infused with essential oils that you place in your nose. Use it to mask unpleasant odors or to just relax, with scents like lavender, orange, coffee, and more. As co-founder Judah Houser put it, “it’s like having a personal air-freshener for your nose.” Judah and his co-founders Tami and Michael DeLeeuw were able to make a deal with Daymond John. As of right now, all of Essence’s products are Made in the USA, and we hope that will continue as their deal is finalized!
PRx Performance (Season 7, Episode 19)
One of the most successful Shark Tank companies of all time is PRx Performance, a line of fitness equipment that can easily be stored at home. After Kevin O’Leary invested in the company, they saw a boost in sales, but it was the COVID-19 pandemic that really allowed PRx Performance to take off. Co-founders Brian Brasch and Erik Hopperstad pitched the company on a special “Made in America” episode, and many of their products continue to be made in the US (but not all, so remember to check!). If you’re in the market for at-home gym equipment, be sure to check PRx Performance out.