Television has been inundated with ads for Shark Week, including shows “Big Shark Energy”, “Deadliest Bite” and “Sharks vs Nazis”. My favorite Sharks are the ones on Shark Tank, the reality show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas and inventions to a panel of investors, known as the “sharks”.

The list of the top 10 products promoted is somewhat surprising to me. The number one spot goes to Bombas socks, which has racked up over 1.3 BILLION dollars in sales. This company donates one item for every item sold, putting “thoughtfully designed, essential clothing into the hands and onto the feet of those in need.” They also promote services for the homeless beyond their own donation. While the sale of expensive socks would not immediately come to mind as the most popular product at $16.50, it is admirable that they have such a socially conscious agenda.

The second best-selling item at $1.1 billion is Everlywell, an at-home health test kits. They provide testing that can be done in the privacy of one’s own home without having to go to the doctor’s office. There is a general wellness test that provides levels of key bodily elements such as lipids and blood sugar. In addition, they have a Heart Health Test that checks bio markers for the risk of heart disease, a colon screening test that checks for the presence of blood to help detect cancer, an in/outdoor allergy test and a test for Lyme Disease.

The Scrub Daddy, that little yellow, scratchy sponge with the bright yellow smiley face, comes in at almost a billion dollars in sales. One of its features is that it changes textures based on the temperature of the water. It is firm and rigid in cold water, good for removing debris from plates, but becomes soft and absorbent in warm water to act more like its sponge predecessor.

The Bouqs Floral Delivery has the fourth largest sales at $640 million. This company is “rooted in kindness” and emphasizes farm-fresh quality that stays fresher longer, grown by “farmers who care”. They have subscriptions for reasonably priced flower arrangements that are delivered monthly. What a great idea! If my mom were still alive and in a nursing home, I would jump on this offer to ensure she had flowers all the time.

Number five in the countdown of the most successful products from Shark Tank at $585 million is Cousins Maine Lobster Food trucks which are “nationally known and locally owned.” Cousins Maine Lobster partners with local entrepreneurs who want to bring the sweet succulent taste of Maine lobster to their neighborhood. From trap to truck or table - each Cousins Maine Lobster vendors travels to Maine, to meets the lobstermen, boards their boats, baits & hauls traps, and measure lobsters to learn about the industry and what makes lobster so special. This is MY favorite product, especially drenched in hot, melted butter.

The Comfy, a “wearable blanket” comes in as the sixth most profitable Shark Tank product at $550 million. This extra-large but cozy item fits all, and pictures on its website show friends sitting around wearing it while playing cards and drinking beer. Dude Wipes, a relatively newer item, comes in at number seven. I assumed these are basically the wet wipes one would use when changing an infant’s diaper but re-labeled with masculinity for men.

I love the eighth highest grossing product, Tipsy Elves “ugly” sweaters. Dressing for the Christmas holidays has always been fun for me…wearing my black sweater with a smiling moose, with small Christmas balls dangling from its ears. At least now it is in fashion!

Lovepop 3-D greeting cards come in at number nine. These intricately designed cards feature three dimensional celebratory creatures and flowers for $15.

The tenth highest grossing item stemming from a Shark Tank investment is the Squatty Potty, the step stool on which one puts his/her feet when using the toilet. Reportedly, this puts one’s body in perfect alignment for a successful elimination.

I have enjoyed watching Shark Tank over the years, and annually, Shark Week reminds me of their success. Free socks for the homeless! Fun, ugly Christmas sweaters! Flowers for the homebound! Who can go wrong with a nice lobster roll swimming in butter?