Aaron Krause
Aaron Krause is the founder and CEO of Scrub Daddy, creator of Shark Tank's most successful product. A serial inventor, he sold his first company to 3M. Since the 2012 pitch, Scrub Daddy has sold over 250 million units and generates $220M annually. Krause holds 50+ patents.
Aaron Krause's Bio
Aaron Krause founded Scrub Daddy in 2012, the smiley-faced sponge that became the most successful product in Shark Tank history. The Folcroft, Pennsylvania company has generated over $170M in annual sales and appears in more than 257,000 retail locations worldwide.
Raised in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, Krause is the son of two doctors who pushed him to work for everything. He graduated Syracuse University in 1992, then launched an auto detailing shop using $8,000 in savings and a matching loan from his father.
Starting in 1992, Krause developed a urethane foam buffing pad for cars, building his own machine from a drill press. By 1998, the business was doing over $1M a year.
The Scrub Daddy story began in 2006, when Krause, frustrated by machinery grease, ordered polymer foam and carved it into a hand scrubber. Mechanics were not interested. He stashed 150 samples in a box labeled SCRAP.
Five years later his wife asked him to clean the furniture. He found sponges in the scrap box, dunked one in water, and watched it turn soft. Cold water made it firm — the thing he had dismissed as a flaw. That night he tested it on a spaghetti pan, cut a smile with a steak knife, and realized he had a product.
A Philadelphia Inquirer feature in 2011 opened the door. He talked his way onto QVC, then Shark Tank, which aired in October 2012. Lori Greiner made the only offer — $200,000 for 20% equity. Scrub Daddy did $1M in sales that night.
Krause left 3M to run Scrub Daddy full-time in 2014, then launched Scrub Mommy, which now outsells the original in most stores. The brand spans more than 160 SKUs. Krause holds eight patents and continues inventing.
Career Timeline
1992 — Graduated Syracuse University
Graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in psychology and a minor in marketing, then launched an auto detailing shop using personal savings and a matching loan from his father.
1998 — Dedication to Detail surpassed $1M in annual revenue
After developing a urethane foam buffing pad for cars and building his own manufacturing machine, Krause's auto detailing business grew into a nationwide supplier doing over $1M a year.
2006 — Created Scrub Daddy prototype
Frustrated by machinery grease, Krause ordered rough German polymer foam and carved it into a hand scrubber. Mechanics showed no interest, so he stashed 150 samples in a box labeled SCRAP.
2008 — Sold Dedication to Detail to 3M
3M acquired Dedication to Detail for a sum in the low tens of millions, days before the financial crisis. 3M declined to purchase the Scrub Daddy prototype, allowing Krause to keep the product.
2012 — Founded Scrub Daddy and appeared on Shark Tank
Krause founded Scrub Daddy, Inc. and pitched on Shark Tank in October 2012. Lori Greiner made the only offer — $200,000 for 20% equity. Scrub Daddy did $1M in sales the night the episode aired.
2014 — Left 3M to run Scrub Daddy full-time
Krause left his 3M consulting arrangement to run Scrub Daddy full-time and launched Scrub Mommy, a double-sided variant that now outsells the original in most retail stores.
2017 — Scrub Daddy revenues surpassed $100M
Scrub Daddy became the highest-grossing Shark Tank product ever, with revenues surpassing $100M and products in tens of thousands of retail locations.
2023 — Scrub Daddy exceeded $926M in lifetime retail sales
Ten years after its Shark Tank debut, Scrub Daddy had sold more than $926M in retail sales, operated 160+ SKUs, and appeared in more than 257,000 retail locations.
