Get to know the guest Sharks, too!
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The hit reality competition show Shark Tank made armchair entrepreneurs out of all of us when it first cut its teeth on television in August 2009.
The series is now in the middle of its 12th season, and Shark Tank Sharks Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, and Barbara Corcoran are just as sharp as ever when it comes to separating the entrepreneurs from the want-repreneurs. This season also features two returning guest Sharks, former baseball star Alex Rodriguez and Kind founder Daniel Lubetzky, as well as two new guest Sharks, TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie and jewelry entrepreneur Kendra Scott.
While all of the Sharks are brilliant in their own ways, each one brings a very different perspective on business to the table (or the Eames chair, as it were). For example, Mark is a fan of saying, "Follow the green, not the dream," while Robert swears by his philosophy that: "If you’re emotional and you’re great at something, the money will follow."
No matter which Shark you're rooting for, it can't hurt to learn a little bit about their business backgrounds, investments, and more. Here's everything you need to know about the Shark Tank cast and how they made their millions (or billions!).
1
Mark Cuban
Mark is a billionaire businessman, investor, and owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. He's also a bestselling author of the book How to Win at the Sport of Business. Mark got his start in business at the early age of 12 when he sold garbage bags door to door. Flash forward to 1999, when he sold his multimedia and streaming service to Yahoo for $5.7 billion. Mark is also the chairman of AXS TV and co-owns Landmark Theater, Magnolia Pictures, and Magnolia Home Video.
According to Forbes, Mark has an estimated net worth of $4.2 billion, far more than any other Shark.
2
Kevin O’Leary aka Mr. Wonderful
Kevin launched SoftKey Software Products from his basem*nt and eventually sold it to the Mattel Toy Company for $4.2 billion in 1999. He's since gone on to found super successful businesses like O’Shares ETFs, O’Leary Financial Group, and O’Leary Wines.
Fellow Shark Barbara coined his nickname during the first season when she sarcastically said, "Well, aren't you Mr. Wonderful?" But Kevin says his signature harsh demeanor on the show is rooted in good intentions. "If they can't take a guy like me, then they're not ready," he says.
3
Lori Greiner
Known as "the Queen of QVC," Lori has hosted her own show on the network, Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner, for 18 years. She is considered one of the most prolific inventors of retail items, having created over 500 products. And she shows no signs of slowing down: She currently holds more than 120 U.S. and international patents!
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4
Daymond John
Daymond is best known as the founder, president, and CEO of the hip hop apparel company FUBU, which he created more than 20 years ago. In 2016, he served as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship under the Obama administration. Daymond is also the founder and CEO of The Shark Group, a brand management and consulting firm based in Manhattan.
5
Barbara Corcoran
At 23, Barbara quit her job as a waitress and borrowed $1,000 to start a tiny real estate company in New York City. She ultimately transformed the Corcoran Group into the largest and best-known brand in the business before selling it for $66 million. Barbara is also the author of the bestselling book Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business!
6
Robert Herjavec
Robert made his fortune in the digital security industry and has built and sold several IT companies, including BRAK Systems, which he sold for a reported $30.2 million CAD (around $20 million US), according to CNBC. He is married to another TV personality, Dancing with the Stars pro Kym Johnson, whom he met when they were partners on the show.
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7
Alex Rodriguez
Alex is a former Major League Baseball player and the founder of A-Rod Corp, a real estate and investing group. Oh yeah, and you may have heard of his fiancée, Jennifer Lopez. 🤯
8
Daniel Lubetzky
Daniel is the founder and CEO of the snack company Kind Healthy Snacks. Kind has sold 2 billion bars since it was founded in 2004.
9
Blake Mycoskie
Blake is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and bestselling author who is best known for founding TOMS Shoes. He also came up with TOMS' One for One business model, which helps a person in need with every product purchased.
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10
Kendra Scott
Designer, founder and CEO Kendra started her jewelry business in 2002 with only $500. She has since grown her company to a billion-dollar valuation with more than 100 stores nationwide.
In 2020, Kendra made Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women. Go girl!
Tierney McAfee
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment,holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
