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10 Fun Facts about the Inventor of the Scrub Daddy

Behind every ingenious product is an inspiring story of the driven dreamer who manifested it. Aaron Krause, the founder of the Scrub Daddy Sponge empire, is one such quintessential entrepreneur who pursued his zany vision despite countless naysayers. On the surface, Krause might seem an unlikely hero – just an average middle-aged person with a wicked sense of humour. Nevertheless, his offbeat ambition is rivalled only by his resilience to persevere through years of rejection on the winding road to extraordinary success.

He invented the Scrub Daddy to make cleaning his hands easier while he was detailing cars. He spent countless hours testing different materials and designs to create a sponge that was both effective and durable. He pitched the Scrub Daddy on Shark Tank in 2012, and he was able to convince one of the sharks to invest in his product.

The Scrub Daddy has since become one of the most successful products ever launched on the show. Aaron has sold more than 25 million of his revolutionary smiley-faced cleaning sponge Scrub Daddy, and the company is worth upwards of US$170 million (according to the CEO Magazine online).

With that brief introduction to the inventor of Scrub Daddy, let us now look at the fun facts about him.

1. Krause has several other inventions

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Aaron Krause is indeed a self-taught inventor who has a passion for creating innovative products. He is known for not having a formal college education but has demonstrated a strong interest in inventing things from a young age. Additionally, he holds numerous patents for his inventions, with over 100 patents to his name, which reflects his prolific career as an inventor and entrepreneur.

His best-known invention is the Scrub Daddy, a highly successful cleaning product that has garnered significant attention and success. His other successful inventions include the Drain Daddy sink strainer and the Armadillo Grip tool. Krause’s inventions have been featured in major publications such as Forbes, Inc., and The Wall Street Journal.

2. Krause loved reading as a kid

Photo by Lina Kivaka: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-reading-a-book-1741230/

Aaron Krause’s innate talent for innovation was evident even as a young boy growing up in Pennsylvania in the 1960s. Krause often stayed up late into the night reading comic books under the covers with a flashlight. But when it was time to go to sleep, he didn’t want to get out of bed to turn off his overhead light.

Seeking a solution, Krause engineered a clever pulley system using household materials. He attached casters to his bedframe and threaded dental floss – the longest string available – through the pulley to dangle within arm’s reach. With a quick tug, he could cut the lights without leaving his cosy cocoon.

While a simple juvenile innovation, Krause’s homemade DIY overhead light switch exemplified his natural talent for tinkering and nose for identifying everyday problems to solve. The childhood anecdote provides a glimpse into the mind of a future entrepreneur obsessed with finding ideas at every turn.

3. The Scrub Daddy inventor loves detailed work

Aaron Krause is known for his commitment to quality and innovation in product development. He invested a significant amount of time and effort into testing various materials and designs to create a sponge that would be both effective in cleaning and durable.

In the early stages of development, Krause noticed that the Scrub Daddy sponge was not as absorbent as he wanted it to be. He spent weeks testing different materials and designs to improve the sponge’s absorbency. He eventually came up with a unique design that incorporates multiple layers of different materials. This design allows the Scrub Daddy sponge to absorb more water and cleaning solution, making it more effective at cleaning tough messes.

The Scrub Daddy’s unique texture and properties, such as changing texture based on water temperature, are a result of this meticulous development process, and they have contributed to the product’s success. Krause’s dedication to creating a high-quality and innovative product has been a key factor in Scrub Daddy’s popularity and positive reception in the market.

4. Aaron Krause loves solving challenging problems

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Aaron Krause’s career as an inventor and entrepreneur has been marked by his ability to identify practical issues or inconveniences and then develop innovative solutions to solve them. The creation of the Scrub Daddy, for example, was inspired by his personal frustration with dirty hands when detailing cars.

He saw the need for a better cleaning tool and invented the Scrub Daddy, which not only addressed his own problem but also became a solution for many others in need of an effective and versatile cleaning product. Krause’s problem-solving mindset and ingenuity have been instrumental in his success as an inventor and in the development of products that improve daily life.

In addition to being a problem solver, Krause is also a creative and resourceful individual. He is able to come up with innovative solutions to problems, even when faced with challenges. For example, when he was developing the Scrub Daddy, he was limited in the materials he had access to. However, he was able to use his creativity and resourcefulness to develop a sponge that was both effective and durable.

5. Krause is not afraid of taking risks

One of the defining traits that enabled Aaron Krause to transform Scrub Daddy into a wild success is his appetite for taking bold risks. Krause had spent years perfecting Scrub Daddy and trying unsuccessfully to get retailers interested before he took the huge gamble of pitching it on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2012.

Appearing on national TV with no guarantees, Krause put everything on the line – his finances, credibility, and Scrub Daddy’s future. Shark Tank was his high-stakes Hail Mary pass after endless rejection. But Krause’s willingness to step up and risk it all paid off handsomely when Lori Greiner offered to invest. Following Scrub Daddy’s smashing Shark Tank debut, the orders came pouring in.

Krause could have played it safe and given up on Scrub Daddy when times got tough. Instead, he repeatedly doubled down and risked failure because he fervently believed in his product. Krause’s cojones in putting his neck on the line turned Scrub Daddy into a cautionary tale for any entrepreneur thinking of playing it safe. He epitomizes that sometimes the biggest risks deliver the biggest rewards for those bold enough to take them.

6. Krause can sell salt to a snail

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A huge factor in Aaron Krause’s monumental success with Scrub Daddy is his innate talent for salesmanship. Krause has a natural charisma and likability that draws people in. Combined with his enthusiasm and deep knowledge of his product, he excels at effectively communicating Scrub Daddy’s value proposition to consumers.

Even on Shark Tank, Krause persuasively conveyed how Scrub Daddy was more than just a sponge, it was a revolution in cleaning. His pitch showcased both Scrub Daddy’s fun personality and performance advantages in a simple, engaging manner. The Sharks couldn’t resist Krause’s charm and messaging, leading to massive orders after the show aired.

Beyond TV, Krause has promoted Scrub Daddy with his signature flair at trade shows, on the QVC shopping network, and anywhere he engages with customers. His relatable earnestness and knack for crafting a compelling narrative around his product make people believe. Krause’s personal sales touch has been integral in building the Scrub Daddy brand and business. He lives the maxim that powerful salesmanship starts with conviction from the inventor himself.

7. While he loves his job, he puts his family first

While Aaron Krause is lauded for his success as an entrepreneur and inventor, he considers his biggest accomplishment to be his family. Krause makes a priority of carving out quality time for his wife and four children despite the pressures of running a major consumer products company.

Krause met his wife Sheila when they were teens growing up in the same Pennsylvania neighbourhood. The high school sweethearts have been married for over 30 years, raising two daughters and two sons together. Krause credits his wife’s unwavering support in good times and bad as pivotal to nurturing his inventive dreams.

Whether it’s family movie nights, cheering on his kids at swim meets, or coaching Little League games, Krause stays involved in everyday family life. He models hard work and passion for his children but also prioritizes being present and enjoying each moment with them.

Krause’s personal experiences as a loving husband and dedicated father ground him and provide perspective. While the Scrub Daddy empire could consume him, Krause remains committed to protecting quality time with his wife and children.

8. Krause is also a car enthusiast…this is no surprise

Photo by Pavlo Luchkovski: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-ferrari-337909/

Beyond his talent for inventing cleaning products, Aaron Krause harbours a lifelong passion for cars. He has long been an avid car enthusiast who enjoys working on vehicles, detailing them, and collecting unique models. Krause became intrigued with cars as a teenager, starting with basic maintenance on his first used car. This hands-on interest evolved over the years into a hobby of buying, selling, and restoring vintage cars. He even ran a side business for a while focused on professional auto detailing.

When Scrub Daddy achieved success, one of Krause’s first purchases was indulging his love of cars by collecting rare makes and models. He now owns several classic cars that he has painstakingly restored himself in his personal garage/workshop. For Krause, detailing and tinkering on his cars provides a relaxing creative outlet away from his business.

9. He has sold more than 100 million Scrub Daddy sponges

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Aaron Krause’s Scrub Daddy sponge is a global phenomenon. Since its launch in 2012, over 100 million Scrub Daddies have been sold worldwide. The sponge’s popularity is due to a number of factors, including its effectiveness, durability, and versatility.

The Scrub Daddy is made of a unique polymer material that changes texture depending on water temperature. In cold water, the Scrub Daddy is firm and can be used to scrub tough messes. In warm water, the Scrub Daddy becomes soft and absorbent, making it perfect for cleaning delicate surfaces.

The Scrub Daddy is also durable and long-lasting. It can withstand repeated use without losing its shape or effectiveness. The sponge is also non-scratch, so it can be safely used on a variety of surfaces.

The Scrub Daddy is a versatile sponge that can be used for a variety of tasks, including washing dishes, cleaning countertops, scrubbing floors, cleaning showers and bathtubs, washing cars, and cleaning windows and mirrors.

10. Krause also invented Scrub Mummy

Aaron Krause’s reinvestment of Scrub Daddy’s profits into developing spin-off products like the Scrub Mommy is a smart business decision that has helped to grow his company and expand its product line. The Scrub Mommy is a two-sided sponge that features a FlexTexture side for scrubbing and a ResoFoam side for wiping. It is designed to be more effective and durable than traditional sponges.

Krause’s reinvestment in spin-off products has also helped him to maintain his company’s competitive edge. By constantly innovating and developing new products, Krause is able to stay ahead of the competition and meet the changing needs of consumers.

In addition to the Scrub Mommy, Krause has developed a number of other spin-off products, including the Drain Daddy sink strainer, the Armadillo Grip tool, and the Scrub Daddy Power Scrubber. These products have all been well-received by consumers and have helped to make Scrub Daddy a leading brand in the cleaning products industry.

Aaron Krause’s Scrub Daddy is a global phenomenon that has revolutionized the way people clean. The sponge’s effectiveness, durability, and versatility have made it a favourite among consumers all over the world. Krause’s reinvestment of Scrub Daddy’s profits into developing spin-off products like the Scrub Mommy is a testament to his commitment to innovation and his vision for the future of the company.

Krause’s story is an inspiration to us all. He shows that anyone can be an inventor, regardless of their background or education. He also reminds us that it is important to follow your passions and never give up on your dreams.