The Shark Tank Winners Building A Billion-Dollar Bathroom Brand
- 27 days ago
Dude Wipes’ potty-mouthed founders have already grabbed 1% of the $11 billion U.S. toilet paper market. Now the Mark Cuban-backed startup is aiming to swipe up to 10%.
Since starting Dude Products in 2011, Sean Riley, Ryan Meegan and a third cofounder, Jeff Klimkowski, childhood friends from the Chicago suburbs, have closely studied the trail left behind by “Big Toilet Paper” leaders like Kimberly Clark and Procter & Gamble – everything from the design of their newest rolls to their latest ad campaigns – and have done the exact opposite.
One of the most successful businesses in Shark Tank history, Dude Products rolled up $110 million in revenue last year, from $70 million in 2022. The company, which has been profitable since 2016, now makes up 1% of the $11 billion toilet paper industry. The founders predict Dude will do $500 million in annual sales within five years and ultimately grow into a $1 billion (sales) brand.
0:00 Who Are The Dudes?
00:19 Meeting the Need for Something Different
02:50 Characteristics of a Winning Team
03:37 Scared Money Don’t Make Money
04:29 Guerilla Marketing At Its Finest
06:46 The Dudes’ First Major Deal
07:22 The Shark Tank Effect
09:28 The Great Toilet Shortage of 2020
11:00 Flushing Out the Competition
Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2024/05/17/this-shark-tank-winner-has-a-1-billion-plan-to-replace-toilet-paper/?sh=1b23fac62c17
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Since starting Dude Products in 2011, Sean Riley, Ryan Meegan and a third cofounder, Jeff Klimkowski, childhood friends from the Chicago suburbs, have closely studied the trail left behind by “Big Toilet Paper” leaders like Kimberly Clark and Procter & Gamble – everything from the design of their newest rolls to their latest ad campaigns – and have done the exact opposite.
One of the most successful businesses in Shark Tank history, Dude Products rolled up $110 million in revenue last year, from $70 million in 2022. The company, which has been profitable since 2016, now makes up 1% of the $11 billion toilet paper industry. The founders predict Dude will do $500 million in annual sales within five years and ultimately grow into a $1 billion (sales) brand.
0:00 Who Are The Dudes?
00:19 Meeting the Need for Something Different
02:50 Characteristics of a Winning Team
03:37 Scared Money Don’t Make Money
04:29 Guerilla Marketing At Its Finest
06:46 The Dudes’ First Major Deal
07:22 The Shark Tank Effect
09:28 The Great Toilet Shortage of 2020
11:00 Flushing Out the Competition
Read the full story on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2024/05/17/this-shark-tank-winner-has-a-1-billion-plan-to-replace-toilet-paper/?sh=1b23fac62c17
Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript
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Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.