Author: Daniel Rugunya

There’s always more than meets the eye when it comes to the backstories of successful entrepreneurs. Origin stories are much deeper than the shallow version you often hear in the media. This is especially true with Elon as many people aren’t aware of what he achieved before PayPal, Tesla and SpaceX. In 1989 Elon Musk moved to Canada from South Africa to avoid military service. He studied at Queen’s University in Ontario for two years and later transferred to the University of Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1994, he worked for two different startups as he was extremely interested in…

Once merely amateur footballers, Jeremy Lynch and Billy Wingrove rose to fame as the F2, a football freestyling duo known for their silky skills and charisma. The pair were not just talented; they were innovators in football freestyling, turning it into a synchronized spectacle. Their social media following swelled to the size of a small nation, and their videos began clocking up millions of views. However, as their star rose, so did the scrutiny, and the facade of camaraderie started showing cracks. Humble Beginnings The story began humbly. Jeremy discovered freestyling at 13, inspired by a Nike advertisement. His early…

Hawaiian native Paige Brattin pitched her innovative eyepatch product on Shark Tank but didn’t get a deal. Unlike your average entrepreneur, she was a breath of fresh air and driven by something other than money. Brattin started the business due to her daughter’s troubled eyesight. As it stands, Worthy Brands is worth an estimated $2 million. Paige Brattin’s Background Before this venture, Paige ran a successful maternity boutique in Honolulu and sold it in 2008 to focus on her family. She also has a masters degree in education from the University of New Hampshire. As a result, she has taught…

Shark Tank is one of ABC’s most popular reality shows and features entrepreneurs pitching their ideas to a panel of investors. Some businesses have struggled to survive but others have become huge success stories. Below we cover the top 15 most successful companies, taking into account lifetime revenue and recent valuations. 1. Bombas Athletic socks have seen a number of innovations thanks to Bombas. However, the apparel company is best known for its philanthropic efforts, donating a pair of socks for every item they sell. Startup experts David Heath and Randy Goldberg thought of starting a sock business after discovering…

Boost Oxygen sells bottles with 95% pure oxygen. Many assume it’s a hoax because, after all, oxygen is everywhere. In reality, it’s hard to get clean air during recreational activities. Kevin O’Leary realized this and made a deal with the founders, Mike Grice and Rob Neuner. Now, Boost Oxygen is worth $15 million. About the Founders Mike Grice and Rob Neuner are from Milford, Connecticut. Grice studied Business Administration and Management at the University of Colorado Denver. He also spent time serving in the United States Marines. Mike went to the American Public University System and got a master’s degree…

When stressed, one of the best things to do is go outdoors, meditate, and relax your body. Yellow Leaf Hammocks, woven by the Mlabri tribe of Thailand, are the perfect option for these situations. The founders, Rachel Connors and Joe Demin, pitched their product on Shark Tank and got a deal with Daniel Lubetzky. Currently, Yellow Leaf Hammocks is worth $4 million. Founders’ Backgrounds Rachel Connors and Joe Demin are husband and wife, hailing from Los Angeles, California. Joe attended DePaul University to study finance and majored in real estate, graduating in 2006. After college, Denim was recruited into a…

Clothing lines are a competitive space but Spergo is thriving. Spergo is a luxury streetwear and lifestyle brand with a powerful message behind them. 15-year-old founder Trey Brown has found success at a young age and is running the business with his mother. His unique story got him a deal with Daymond John on Shark Tank. Based on latest sales data, Spergo is worth an estimated $2 million. Trey Brown’s Background Trey Brown grew up in a rough neighborhood in Philadelphia. However, he always tried to avoid trouble, and wanted to help others do the same. His mother, Sherell Peterson,…

Drinking at a bar or a college party might be fun, but they’re not the safest environments. The number of spiking cases has risen dramatically in recent years and this inspired Shirah Benarde and her brother, Michael, to invent NightCap. The product is disguised as a scrunchie and covers cups to prevent spiking. After featuring on Shark Tank, they got a deal with Lori Greiner. This year, NightCap is worth an estimated $2 million. The Founders The Benarde siblings grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. Shirah is the youngest and studied Public Relations and Advertising at the University of…

Falling in love and getting married is a wonderful journey, but there’s a troublesome part in between this: the prenuptial agreement. Legal tech firm Hello Prenup was created to make things easier. Founders Julia Rodgers and Sarabeth Jaffe took it to Shark Tank and scored a deal with Nirav Tolia and Kevin O’Leary. After the show, Hello Prenup is worth $22 million. The Founders Julia Rodgers is the CEO and comes from a family of lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts. Rodgers earned a law degree from Suffolk University Law School and took entrepreneurial classes at Simmons University. Sarabeth Jaffe takes care…

Finding somewhere to store your stuff as a student can be painful and storage companies are not tailored to a younger demographic. Storage Scholars is different as it provides an easy way for students to ship their stuff to school and store it for the summer. Founders Sam Chason and Matt Gronberg appeared on Shark Tank and got a deal with Mark Cuban. As things stand, Storage Scholars is worth $2.5 million. The Founders Matt Gronberg is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while Sam Chason is from Austin, Texas. The pair met as students at Wake Forest University. Matt studied biochemistry…