Business and reality TV converge on Shark Tank, a show where hopeful entrepreneurs pitch their businesses and themselves to business moguls—a.k.a. the Sharks—hoping to gain investment. The series has been running since 2009, with dozens of Sharks having listened to pitches and invested in or passed on business ventures during this time. The show has even featured celebrity Sharks, adding to its appeal and excitement. Of the long list of Sharks, however, these five are the ones that audiences have loved the most.
1. Daymond John
Daymond John has many qualities that have made him a popular Shark, most notably his calm demeanor, his forging of long-term relationships with entrepreneurs, and his authenticity. When investing on the show, he is known for being incredibly detail-oriented and uses this skill to assess a business’s quality. He also relies on a gut feeling that tells him about the person behind the business to determine if they’re willing to work if invested in it.
The most successful venture he’s invested in through the show to date is Bombas, a certified B Corporation sock company with a mission to help people experiencing homelessness. For every Bombas purchase, an item is donated to an organization serving homeless individuals.
John started as a business mogul by co-founding FUBU, a streetwear brand whose name stands for “for us, by us.” It started with $40 and is now a $6 billion fashion brand. He’s also found success as a motivational speaker and writer of bestselling books, including Power of Broke.
2. Barbara Corcoran
Due to her kind and positive attitude, Barbara Corcoran has endeared herself to many fans of the Shark Tank series. She has been a Shark since the beginning and has shared plenty of business wisdom along the way. In addition to being a Shark, Corcoran is also a motivational speaker, and the two areas of her life pair well. She can deliver her insight and entrepreneurial experience with her speaking capabilities.
Her own entrepreneurial feats lie primarily in the realm of real estate, where she turned $1,000 into a multibillion-dollar real estate business in New York called The Corcoran Group. She has invested in over 100 businesses during her time on Shark Tank. These investments have included the wearable blanket called The Comfy (not to be confused with the Snuggie) and the Cousins Maine Lobster food truck franchise.
3. Lori Greiner
With many successful ventures to her name, Lori Greiner has earned a positive reputation as a Shark with a keen business instinct that allows her to assess the viability of a product quickly. She got her start with an earring organizer that led to partnerships with JCPenny and the Home Shopping Network. In 2014, two years after debuting as a Shark, Greiner released the book Invent It, Sell It, Bank It!: Make Your Million-Dollar Idea into a Reality, which became a bestseller.
Through the show, she has invested in two major Shark Tank success stories, Scrub Daddy and Everlywell. Her combined Shark Tank investments have earned her over a billion dollars.
4. Kevin O’Leary
Also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” Kevin O’Leary is one of the most popular Shark personalities on the show. On the show, he is known for his sharp sense of humor (only occasionally seen), brutal honesty, and tough-love style, which have gained him a reputation for being the “mean” Shark. He puts a lot of pressure on entrepreneurs by pushing for tough deals with little leeway, and he sees his tough-love style not as meanness but as kindness that saves people, himself included, as well as their time and money.
Though he drives a hard bargain, he’s invested in over 40 businesses through the show, including Plated, a subscription meal-kit service that Albertsons eventually bought out.
5. Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban has been on Shark Tank since 2011 and invested nearly $62 million in deals. Some, like BeatBox Beverages, are turning an impressive profit, while others, like Breathometer, have failed. Despite the losses, Cuban remains a positive personality to whom many feel drawn. He also has an impressive entrepreneurial background to pair with his positive attitude, making him all the more admirable.
He sold a commercial streaming company, Broadcast.com, for over $5 billion in 2000 and has been a majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team. When it comes to his business ventures, he looks for entrepreneurs with tenacity and a clear vision, and he doesn’t hesitate to provide guidance—even after the cameras have stopped filming.
Bonus: Guest Sharks
We can’t talk about the most popular Sharks without acknowledging the celebrity power the show has brought in with guest Sharks. These investors aren’t primarily known for their business acumen—though this doesn’t mean they lack it—but are better recognized for their acting careers or TV presence.
Among these guest Sharks are Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Hart, and Bethenny Frankel. The series has even brought on MLB star Alex Rodriguez, also known as AROD. It’s always novel to see a different side of these stars come to light in the tank, and though their guest appearances may be short-lived, their appearances are memorable.
Conclusion
Whether they’re loved for their experience and keen business sense or their tough-talking business persona, each Shark brings something different to the table for both fans and hopeful entrepreneurs. One thing all the Sharks have taught fans of the show is that making a deal is a gamble, and like a gamble made at a casino, even using the right casino bonus codes, there’s no guarantee it’ll lead to a big payout. Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter how popular a Shark is; seeing how their dealings play out will always be exciting.
Joshua White is a passionate and experienced website article writer with a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting engaging content. With a background in journalism and digital marketing, Joshua brings a unique perspective to his writing, ensuring that each piece resonates with readers. His dedication to delivering high-quality, informative, and captivating articles has earned him a reputation for excellence in the industry. When he’s not writing, Joshua enjoys exploring new topics and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in content creation.
