Quick Facts
Biography
Lori Greiner (born December 9, 1969) is an American television personality, inventor, and entrepreneur. She is an investor on the reality TV show Shark Tank and its spin-off Beyond the Tank. She has been known as the "Queen of QVC" since 2000, with the premiere of her show Clever & Unique Creations. Greiner is the president and founder of For Your Ease Only, Inc.
Early life
Greiner grew up in Near North Side, Chicago. She majored in communications at Loyola University Chicago and worked for The Chicago Tribune while in college. She was briefly a playwright and a jewelry designer and seller.
Career
In 1996, Greiner created and patented a plastic earring organizer. J.C. Penney picked up the product before the holiday season, allowing her to pay off her $300,000 loan in eighteen months. Greiner has patented consumer products in other categories such as cosmetic organization, jewelry storage, travel, electronics, and household items.
QVC
After her success with J.C. Penney, Greiner expanded her company, with her product appearing on Home Shopping Network and in the retail store Bed, Bath and Beyond. Shortly afterwards, she transitioned to QVC and, in 2000, she launched Clever & Unique Creations, one of the longest-running shows on the network.
Shark Tank
In 2012, Greiner joined the U.S. TV series Shark Tank. In 2014, her investment in Scrub Daddy, a company that produces a texture-changing household sponge, was regarded as one of the biggest successes in Shark Tank history.
Greiner's other early Shark Tank investments include Bantam Bagels (which was fully acquired by T. Marzetti Company in 2014), Squatty Potty, Readerest, Paint Brush Cover, Hold Your Haunches, Drop Stop, FiberFix, Simply Fit Board, Sleep Styler, and Screenmend.
Publications
In March 2014, she authored the book Invent it, Sell it, Bank it! – Make Your Million Dollar Idea into a Reality, a how-to guide based on her entrepreneurial journey.
Personal life
Lori is married to Dan Greiner.