• "Shark Tank" features entrepreneurial solutions to problems, from back pain to "showering."
• The show has offered many products to help you clean your house and belongings, and keep them clean. 
• These 10 creative products from "Shark Tank" will help reduce the time, effort, and environmental impact of your chores. 

Shopping for your home is hard enough, but cleaning it is arguably more difficult. This chore is never discussed with much excitement, probably because most people don't enjoy cleaning.

If you watch "Shark Tank," however, there have been a number of product pitches that could convince you otherwise and motivate you to clean your room and belongings more often.

Some address the pain of washing your dishes and water bottles and will save your arms from intense scrubbing sessions. Others are safe, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning products. You'll also see ways to include your pets and tech devices in the cleaning party. 

Here are 10 products from "Shark Tank" that will help you keep your entire house clean. 

SEE ALSO: The Frywall made famous on 'Shark Tank' is a game changer that reduces the mess of cooking — here's why I like using it

DON'T MISS: 17 top-rated products to clean every room in your house

The original 'Shark Tank' wunderkind

Original Scrub Daddy (2-count)

The biggest success from the show is, without a doubt, the Scrub Daddy. It's also the top pick in our cleaning sponge buying guide. 

So what makes this smiley scrubber so renowned? The foam adjusts to the temperature (firm in cold water, soft in warm water) so you can switch between tough scrubbing and light cleaning, and it won't scratch even delicate surfaces like glass, ceramic, and leather. You can use them anywhere, not just for dishes.

An eco-friendly cleaning system

Blueland Clean Essentials Kit, $39

Many folks are moving from away from disposable products and towards more reusable options. New startup Blueland is giving you both a cleaner home and a cleaner planet through a clever and cost-efficient system that involves dissolvable cleaning tablets and reusable bottles. During an appearance on "Shark Tank," Blueland successfully convinced investors how and why its non-toxic cleaning tablets and sustainable packaging would change the way people clean — and after trying it ourselves, we're converts, too. 

Read our full review of Blueland here

A device that sanitizes your phone

PhoneSoap 3.0 UV Sanitizer and Universal Phone Charger

In just 10 minutes, PhoneSoap kills 99.9% of the bacteria lurking on the device you bring with you everywhere. Its UV-C light technology breaks down this bacteria and reaches every inch of your phone, plus it includes a charger so you can clean and charge at the same time. We saw the newest model — PhoneSoap 3.0 — at CES this year and it even lets you charge two devices at the same time. 

Read our review of the PhoneSoap here

Reusable bamboo "paper" towels

Bambooee Bamboo Paper Towel Roll

These durable, absorbent towels are an eco-friendly paper towel alternative made of organic bamboo. Each sheet looks and feels like a regular paper towel, but can be washed up to 100 times. Each roll of 30 Bambooee sheets is equivalent to 429 paper towel rolls.

Read our review of the bamboo towels here

A more effective splatter guard

Frywall Medium Splatter Guard

While traditional splatter screens cover the pan and make it difficult to check on your food and resulting in condensation, the funnel-like Frywall surrounds the perimeter of the pan. The BPA-free silicone accessory still protects from oil splatters, while allowing you to continue cooking.

Read our review of the Frywall here

A self-cleaning pad for your dog to relieve itself

BrilliantPad Self-Cleaning & Automatic Indoor Dog Potty + 1 Roll

The world's first self-cleaning dog potty, best for dogs under 25 pounds, takes care of a dirty and frequent chore. You can adjust the timer to automatically change a dirty pad one, two, or three times a day, or manually change it with a push of a button. The machine will wrap and seal the waste, keeping your home clean and odor-free.

A thorough detail brush that doesn't make a mess

Brush Hero Wheel Brush Starter Set

From your car wheels to patio furniture to BBQ grills, the Brush Hero detail brush can clean all the hard-to-reach areas. With its steady torque and powerful scrub, it's more reliable and less messy than screwing a brush onto a power drill. The set comes with one soft and one stiff brush head. 

Read our review of the Brush Hero here

An ergonomic broom

WISPsystem One-Handed Broom

Sweeping is a pain, especially when you realize traditional broom and dustpans don't even catch all the dirt and debris on the floor. This special broom has electrostatic bristles to collect all types of debris and uses a push-and-pull motion to scrape it into a foot-operated dustpan. You only need to use one hand to operate it, plus you never have to bend or stoop over.

Tablets to clean the inside of your water bottle

Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets (12-count)

We're big advocates of using reusable water bottles and thermoses, but they're not always easy to clean. To clean out your bottle properly — that means all the gunk hiding in the nooks and crannies, not to mention odor buildup — fill it with warm water and drop in one Bottle Bright tablet. After 15-30 minutes, the tablet dissolves and wipes out stains, germs, and residue so your bottle is squeaky clean again.

Natural household cleaners

Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner (2-Pack)

For a "Better Life" free of warning labels and harmful chemicals, shop this natural cleaning brand. Its products are so safe that you can spray them in your mouth — which is exactly what the cofounder did during his pitch. They're free from dyes, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and petroleum-based cleaning agents.

• GameStop can capitalize on its current fame to revamp its business, Kevin O'Leary says.
• The "Shark Tank" investor suggested the retailer could execute a Netflix-style pivot.
• O'Leary also warned against shorting the stock given its passionate following.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

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GameStop could leverage the hype around its stock to transform its business and stage a comeback, "Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary said in an interview this week.

The video-games retailer's brand "has way more value today than it had five months ago, before it became part of every headline around the world, day after day," O'Leary told Kevin Paffrath on the influencer's YouTube channel, Meet Kevin.

The O'Leary Funds and O'Leary Ventures boss — whose nickname is "Mr. Wonderful"— attributed GameStop's newfound fame to the Reddit and Robinhood users who executed a short squeeze on the stock. They helped boost the company's stock price from about $17 to an intraday high of $483 in January.

O'Leary pointed to Netflix, which pivoted from physical disks to online streaming in 2007, as an example of a company that successfully made the shift to digital.

"Netflix saw the writing on the wall when they were mailing DVDs to everybody and said, 'We're gonna digitize this,' and they had a brand," O'Leary said. "Maybe GameStop can do the same thing," he continued, suggesting the company could offer new services to gamers, or host classes and other gatherings in its stores across the US.

"I think it's going to get a second kick at life," he added.

O'Leary also warned investors not to bet against GameStop and its army of individual shareholders.

"If I was short that stock right now, I'd be worried," he said. "With this whole social constituency supporting it, the pricing of the stock is kind of irrelevant at this point."

Chewy cofounder Ryan Cohen, one of GameStop's biggest shareholders and possibly its next chairman, clearly agrees with O'Leary that the company can deliver a second act.

The activist investor has overhauled the company's board, wants to revamp its strategy to focus more on e-commerce, and likely spurred its recent decision to raise up to $1 billion by issuing new stock.

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• Kevin O'Leary touted GameStop, Robinhood, and NFTs in an interview this week.
• The "Shark Tank" investor warned about airlines, leverage, and celebrity SPACs.
• O'Leary also blasted prospective tax hikes and took aim at China.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

"Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary suggested GameStop could execute a Netflix-style comeback, predicted several US airlines will go bankrupt over the next two years, and warned of a brutal market correction in an interview this week.

The O'Leary Funds and O'Leary Ventures boss  — whose nickname is Mr. Wonderful — also slammed celebrity SPACs, praised Robinhood, and trumpeted NFTs during the conversation with influencer Kevin Paffrath on his YouTube channel, Meet Kevin.

O'Leary also criticized the Biden administration's plan to hike corporate taxes, and called for the US to take a tougher stance towards China.

Here are O'Leary's best quotes from the interview, lightly edited and condensed for clarity:

1. "I'm waiting. So far there's been no correction, but I've lived through lots of volatility and I know, just when it seems to be safe, poo poo happens."— discussing the prospect of a market crash.

2. "GameStop's brand has way more value today than it had five months ago, before it became part of every headline around the world, day after day. Netflix saw the writing on the wall when they were mailing DVDs to everybody and said, 'We're going to digitize this,' and they had a brand. Maybe GameStop can do the same thing."

3. "If I was short GameStop stock right now, I'd be worried. I think it's going to get a second kick at life. This whole social constituency supporting it — the pricing of the stock is kind of irrelevant at this point."

4. "It's hilarious if you look at the volatility of Amazon over the last 20 years. You would have never owned it as it's so volatile, but in the long run it's created a trillion dollars' worth of value for shareholders. Same thing is going to happen to these stocks that are going to provide digitization."— underscoring the growth prospects of Zoom, Shopify, and other stocks that enable remote activities.

5. "It's not good news for the airlines because even though they're coming back, it's all basically vacation tickets. Everybody's going to Disneyland in a big tube. That's a very crappy business, they won't make any money. Over the next two years, probably a couple of them have to go bankrupt."— underscoring the challenges for airlines if business travel permanently falls by 15% or 20%.

6. "Frankly I'm not a big fan of SPACs. I do have about 20 SPACs in my portfolio right now, but only from operators that I know. A SPAC is no different than private equity, and so I need to know the team that's backing the SPAC has done deals before, knows how to buy at the right multiple, and knows how to operate. I'm against the idea that some celebrity knows what they're doing in private equity, it's a joke. I avoid those like the plague, I think those are going to go to zero."

7. "I'm a big fan of Robinhood because even though it's got a lot of criticism, it helps 22 million people learn about stocks. I'm a big believer in learning the ways of the stock market."

8. "When you get into these complex straddles and collars and all of this stuff with leverage, sometimes you wake up with a hangover after going out to a party, and you forget the position you have on and you just blow yourself up. You've got to be careful."

9. "I'm beyond sanctions, I want to take them right out of the financial system in North America."— calling for the US to adopt a tougher stance towards China in order to level the playing field.

10. "Elon Musk is a maverick who doesn't play by the rules, but he's actually a good example of how this relationship should work. If American companies want to go to China, they shouldn't have to give up control of their intellectual property to do that."

11. "If you believe that burning up huge amounts of coal is detrimental and I do, you should stop buying bitcoin from the Chinese. Over time, as institutions start to really get involved in crypto, you'll have the discounted blood coin from China and you'll have the premium virgin coin with provenance — no different than blood diamonds."

12. "NFTs are a derivative of the digital economy. There's merit, but as a new asset class it's going to be immensely volatile. The idea that you have something that's copyrighted in perpetuity and can't be forged is really interesting and a good idea. At the end of the day they will find their place."

13. "You're pouring free money out of the sky from a helicopter into anywhere you can stuff it. But then you're raising taxes so you're taking it back right away, before it has a chance to have any effect whatsoever. You can't suck and blow at the same time, it doesn't make any sense."— criticizing the Biden administration's plan to follow up its stimulus efforts by raising corporate taxes.

14. "The idea that Yellen can run around the world asking for a standard minimum corporate tax is a joke that's never going to happen."

15. "I covet downside protection much more than outperformance. I don't care about beating the indexes at all. I don't need more money, I need to keep what I've got."

16. "Buying the dip is more rock and roll, but what invariably happens is you go through a massive correction and you learn a very important lesson. The generation that is trading right now has never gone through a sustained correction. It's coming — I don't know when, I don't know what'll trigger it, but they will learn their lesson. If you have a lot of leverage on, it's a hell of a lesson because you end up in a negative net-worth position. But you do learn from it."

17. "Take 10% of your paycheck, put it away, and do not touch it except in emergencies. When you take money and burn it on a vacation, or buy some useless piece of crap you're never going to use — which many people are guilty of including me — you've killed off your future. That money's not working for you anymore. Do you really need another pair of jeans, another pair of shoes? Just look at your closet of all the crap you don't wear, that's all money you wasted."

18. "If you walk around with an Apple Watch on, that thing is a piece of consumer-electronic junk. I own Apple stock, but I would never be seen dead with an Apple Watch. Not a chance in hell."— voicing his preference for wearing traditional watches and supporting conventional watchmakers.

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• Mark Cuban has no clue what Dogecoin's meteoric price gain signifies.
• The "Shark Tank" investor said the joke cryptocurrency would become less volatile.
• Cuban's Dallas Mavericks have raked in over 122,000 Dogecoins by selling merchandise.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

Billionaire investor Mark Cuban might be one of Dogecoin's biggest champions, but even he doesn't know what to make of the joke cryptocurrency's 400% price gain over the past week.

"I have no idea what it means," the "Shark Tank" star and Dallas Mavericks owner told CNBC Make It. However, he expects the digital coin to settle into a price range over time.

"Supply and demand is undefeated," Cuban said. "So it will find its level."

Dogecoin's price skyrocketed from 0.005 cents at the start of January to an all-time high of 45 cents last Friday — a roughly 9,000% increase in under four months. It now ranks as the fifth-biggest cryptocurrency with a market capitalization of about $50 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Cuban has been cheerleading the digital coin in recent weeks. The Dallas Mavericks' sales in Dogecoin are up 550% over the past month, and the basketball team has sold more than 122,000 Dogecoins' worth of merchandise in total, he tweeted last week.

The billionaire also pledged that his team would never sell a single Dogecoin, and called on his followers to keep buying more of its products to drive the coin's price to $1.

Cuban has previously touted Dogecoin as a way to have fun, learn about crypto, and potentially make money. He also urged people not to take it too seriously, and said that he enjoys being part of the coin's community and tweeting rocket emojis and "doge to the moon."

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• Mark Cuban acknowledged there's rampant speculation in cryptocurrencies.
• The billionaire investor said revolutionary technologies often generate hype.
• Cuban defended the boom by pointing to the growing number of uses for crypto.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

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Mark Cuban recognizes lots of people are buying cryptocurrencies, not because they view them as fundamentally valuable, but because they expect others to buy them and drive their prices higher.

"Yes there is massive speculation," the billionaire "Shark Tank" investor and Dallas Mavericks owner tweeted on Wednesday. However, he argued plenty of transformative technologies sparked feverish excitement as they took off.

"Every single one of the technologies has been dismissed by legacy institutions," he continued. "Until they weren't."

Cuban made those comments in a Twitter thread defending crypto as a revolutionary innovation. He was responding to criticism that his aggressive promotion of dogecoin, a "meme coin" that was created as a joke, would result in buyers losing a bunch of money.

The technology entrepreneur — who became a billionaire by selling his internet-radio startup, Broadcast.com, to Yahoo in 1999 — has been one of dogecoin's biggest promoters. He went on"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" this week to reiterate his view that the coin is a fun way to learn about crypto, and a better bet than a lottery ticket.

Cuban also highlighted the growing number of uses for crypto in his thread. He suggested non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for digital collectibles, smart contracts, and decentralized finance (DeFi) could fuel demand for digital currencies and underpin their prices in the future.

"If you look at crypto assets whether eth, doge, btc, mkr etc and only see something intangible for people to trade, you haven't really looked," he said, referring to ether, dogecoin, bitcoin, and dai. "If you see smart contracts and programming languages and think of new ways to disrupt industries then I'm saying there's a chance."

Unsurprisingly, dogecoin has its fair share of critics. Michael Burry of "The Big Short" fame dismissed it as a "doge's breakfast" and one of several market bubbles, while billionaire investor and bitcoin bull Mike Novogratz warned against buying it and described it as a "dog."

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• Mark Cuban is betting $1 million that Netflix and Amazon will outperform the S&P 500.
• He's also wagering $1 million that bitcoin or ether will beat the index over 10 years.
• Warren Buffett bet on the benchmark to beat hedge funds over a decade and won.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

The billionaire Mark Cuban is so confident that his two favorite stocks and the top cryptocurrencies will outperform the S&P 500 index over the next decade that he's willing to bet $2 million on that outcome.

The "Shark Tank" investor and Dallas Mavericks owner agreed to a pair of wagers with Peter Mallouk, the CEO of Creative Planning, a wealth-management firm.

Cuban tweeted on Thursday that he would stake $1 million on a 50-50 split of Netflix and Amazon stock beating the benchmark over the next 10 years. He said he'd bet another $1 million on Mallouk's choice of either bitcoin or ether doing the same. Mallouk would bet on the S&P 500 in both cases.

The men agreed to make the two bets after butting heads over the value of a diversified portfolio and the long-term viability of cryptocurrencies. The argument was sparked by Mallouk criticizing Cuban's promotion of Dogecoin, predicting that 99% of cryptocurrencies would end up worthless, and touting stocks as superior to crypto.

"If you buy a hundred stocks, odds are most go up," Mallouk tweeted on Wednesday. "If you buy a hundred cryptocurrencies, most will go to zero. Big difference."

"Only a fool would buy 100 stocks or 100 crypto assets," Cuban replied.

To settle their dispute, Cuban and Mallouk agreed to convert $4 million into crypto, set up smart contracts that would automatically pay the victors in 10 years, and donate the proceeds to charity.

Their bet echoes a famous wager between the billionaire investor Warren Buffett and the hedge-fund manager Ted Seides in 2007. Buffett staked $1 million on the S&P 500 besting a basket of hedge funds over a decade and won.

Read more:Jefferies unveils 14 stocks with exposure to the booming NFT opportunity as digital collectibles continue to become more mainstream despite the recent price slump

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"Shark Tank" investor Kevin O'Leary has allocated 3% of his portfolio to bitcoin and is aiming to bolster sustainability in mining for the world's largest cryptocurrency.

O'Leary told Yahoo Finance Live in an interview that aired Wednesday that he made the allocation after Canada, where he's from, and other countries eased restrictions on institutional purchases of bitcoin. Regulators in Canada so far this year have approved the launch of four cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds.

The chairman of O'Shares ETFs, who called bitcoin "garbage" in a May 2019 interview on CNBC, said in March that he would be adding bitcoin to his portfolio partly because he thought of it as a hedge against inflation. He told Yahoo Finance Live that after his announcement he received numerous calls from institutional investors asking if he knew where the coins originated. He warned that "there's a big problem brewing" in the crypto industry how and where coins are mined. 

He said he's working to make sure every coin he owns is compliant.

"I know the provenance of where my wallet coins were mined now, and that means I've had to take equity positions in miners. I've had to start investing in them with the covenants in place that I would like to be paid back in a royalty of a clean coin," O'Leary said.

He also said he's working on organizing a "council of sustainability" to include corporations and governments that are mining coins responsibly.

Bitcoin is a target of criticism in part because its digital mining process requires a significant amount of energy. Research from Cambridge University shows it uses more energy each year than Sweden and Argentina.

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• If you gift a product from the show "Shark Tank," then you know it'll be both creative and practical. 
• Games, kitchen tools, and food are thoughtful gifts to give the "Shark Tank" fan in your life. 
• Most of these items are available with Prime two-day shipping, so they will likely arrive quickly.

One of our favorite shows to spot new products and enjoy some entertaining celebrity judge banter is "Shark Tank," which is currently in its 12th season. 

As we've seen over the years, some pitches do extremely well, while others aren't so lucky — but the fact remains that the show brings forward new and innovative ideas most of us have never considered.

That's why the products from the show tend to make especially good gifts. They're far from generic and they usually solve a common problem or annoyance. Conveniently, most are also available on Amazon with free two-day shipping for Prime members, so you can get them as last-minute gifts.

If they love watching 'Shark Tank,' they'll recognize these 29 awesome gift ideas:

A powerful temperature controlled sponge

Scrub Daddy, 3pk, $13.99

One of the most popular Shark Tank products is the Scrub Daddy, which is designed to fit in your hand while also offering powerful scrubbing. The sponges change from hard to soft textures depending on if you're using them in cold or hot water.

A reusable smart notebook

Rocketbook Smart Reusable Notebook, from $24.98

If they go through notebook after notebook, this reusable option offers a long-lasting solution. Use the included pen to take any notes, then scan each page using the accompanying app to save the pages in the program of your choice.

A back support belt that improves posture

BetterBack, $49.99

Insider Reviews senior editor Sally Kaplan can't recommend this posture corrector enough. If your recipient suffers from back pain, this ergonomic belt provides the relief they'll need.

A cake accessory for people who love surprises

Surprise Cake Popping Cake Stand, $52.98

This clever product lets you hide gifts inside a cake, giving the gift an extra oomph and wow factor. As long as it fits inside the Gift Pod, which measures 2.8 inches by 6 inches, it can go in the cake.

A tool to help them reach every last drop

The Spatty & Spatty Daddy Last Drop Spatula, Two Piece Set, $11.99

They'll never have the guilty feeling of tossing a semi-full container again with this fun and useful two-piece set. The Spatty can be used in cosmetics, condiments, and any other container they can think of. Afterwards, it's safe to throw in the dishwasher for cleaning.

An eco-friendly alternative to paper towels

Bambooee Paper Towel Replacement 30-Sheet Roll, $8.99

If they are passionate about creating less waste, these reusable paper towels are a great alternative to their one-time use counterparts. Made of organically-sourced bamboo, these paper towels can be machine washed up to 100 times. The eco-friendly benefits don't stop there: for every Bambooee roll sold the company pledges to plant a tree.  

A tool to protect their fingers during home renovation projects

Safety Nailer Framer, $8.99

This simple tool will help them get through their ambitious home renovation projects without injuring their fingers. The Safety Nailer holds screws and nails steady when drilling or hammering and is designed to be used with either hand. 

A memorable 3D card

Lovepop Marvel Black Panther Pop Up Card, $15

The cards are available in eight different "Marvel" designs, or you can visit Lovepop's Amazon page to find other types of themes. Don't worry — there's still room to write an actual message for your recipient in the included notecard. 

A funny gift box

Prank Pack Bathe & Brew Gift Box, $5

The Prank Pack isn't the actual gift, but it is a funny way to prank your recipient and trick them into thinking they're receiving a strange or gimmicky present. The co-founder is a former writer at The Onion, so expect nothing less than hilarious fake products and product descriptions that your recipient will have to pretend to enjoy. 

A travel accessory that combines a hoodie with a memory foam pillow

HoodiePillow Memory Foam Travel Pillow, $29.95

The clever design of this two-in-one hoodie and memory foam pillow, which feels like their favorite fleece sweatshirt, lets them fall asleep comfortably while traveling. The hood helps block out light and noise, while the pillow provides soft neck support.

A baking pan that gives them more edge pieces

Baker's Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan, $36.95

The days of fighting over the limited number of edge pieces are over. With this unique pan, every piece has two delectable, chewy edges. Other than to make brownies, they can also use it for other desserts, pasta, or any baked good that requires some extra crust.

Rich, dessert-like peanut butter spread packed with protein

Nuts 'N More Chocolate Maple Pretzel Peanut Butter Spread, $12.99

For the family's resident sweet tooth or fitness enthusiast, get these chunky, sweet-and-salty peanut butter spreads. They contain whey protein isolate, providing 11 grams of protein per serving, and they're low-sugar and low-carb. Spread the creative flavors, which include birthday cake and gingerbread, over pancakes or fruit, or enjoy them straight out of the jar. 

A fun outdoor game

Spikeball 3 Ball Kit, $59.95

On a beautiful sunny day at any park in the city, you'll probably see at least one group playing this fun and active game. With rules similar to volleyball, it's easy to learn so the whole family can get involved. Prior to the pandemic, the company even held nationwide tournaments. 

A glass that makes any wine bottle into a single serving

Guzzle Buddy 2GO Wine Glasses, $12.99

This handy tool can attach a glass to nearly any bottle of wine. It's odor-free, virtually unbreakable, and top-rack dishwasher safe. Plus, it lies at the intersection between a humorous white elephant gift and an actually useful accessory, given how the past year has panned out. 

An appliance that turns any beer into draft beer

Fizzics FZ403 DraftPour Beer Dispenser, $138.39

Using sound waves, this cool appliance turns any can or bottle of beer into fresh draft beer by turning its natural carbonation into compacted micro bubbles. All they have to do is insert their favorite beer, then pull and push the tap to receive the enhanced version of their IPA, pilsner, or stout. 

A balance bike

KaZAM No Pedal Balance Bike, from $82.37

Featuring a patented footrest design that helps young kids find their center of gravity, this bike builds the confidence needed to transition to riding a proper bike. The ergonomic, adjustable handles and seat will get kids comfortable and ready to ride right away. The bike weighs only eight pounds and the puncture-free tires never need air. 

A beach towel that gives back

Sand Cloud Turkish Towel, $44

This beautiful 100% Turkish cotton towel also works as a throw or wall tapestry. It's thin and compact, but durable. Plus, the company donates 10% of profits to help preserve marine life.

A sturdy, inflatable paddle board

Tower Inflatable 10'4" Stand Up Paddle Board, $629.99

Gift an avid outdoor adventurer this premium paddle board and you'll have a difficult time getting them to return to shore. Its design provides for better balance and stability, while a bottom fin makes it easier to maneuver. It inflates and deflates quickly, so it can be brought anywhere — but unlike many other inflatable boards, it's strong and rigid. 

High-fidelity earplugs to protect their ears during concerts

Vibes High Fidelity Concert Earplugs, $23.98

If they plan on attending a lot of loud shows as soon as concerts are safe again, their eardrums may be facing the consequences. Wearing these comfortable earplugs can reduce decibel levels by up to 22 decibels, but they don't cancel out noise completely. Instead, they only filter out certain frequencies, so your recipient will still be able to enjoy the crisp vocals and instrumentation of their favorite band. 

The famous "Comfy" sweatshirt that they'll never want to take off

The Comfy Sweatshirt, from $39.99

You can practically feel the comfortable softness and warmth of this oversized blanket sweater just by looking at it. Cozy up in The Comfy by the fireplace, at sports games, or while watching rom-coms. 

Adorable leather moccasins

Freshly Picked Kids' Soft Sole Moccasins (Newborn Baby), $39 

The creator of the cutest little baby shoes you've ever seen got her start picking up yard sale leather scraps and selling on Etsy. Today, parents everywhere are obsessed with the unique and comfortable 100% leather designs that infuse style into their baby's every step. 

A better protein mixing bottle

Ice Shaker 26-Ounce Stainless Steel Protein Mixing Cup, $35

The problem with traditional plastic protein powder shakers is that they tend to absorb odor and won't keep the contents cold. Former NFL player Chris Gronkowski's stainless steel water bottle is double-insulated, spill-proof, and odor-free — the upgrade that fitness enthusiasts deserve.

A funny card game that tests the financial limits of various outrageous scenarios

Pricetitution Card Game, $19.99

Every card begins with the prompt, "How much money would it take me..." followed by a funny situation. It was a big success on both "Shark Tank," with four Sharks giving offers, and on Kickstarter. 

A smart video doorbell

Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Works with Alexa, $169.99

Ring may not have secured a deal with the Sharks, but it did strike up a deal with Amazon for over $1 billion in 2018, so it's doing just fine. The smart security system has two-way talk, sends motion-activated alerts, and works with Alexa, giving homeowners the peace of mind that their house will be safe, regardless of whether or not they're home. 

A pair of lightweight running sandals

Xero Shoes Barefoot-Inspired Sport Sandals, Men's Z-Trek, $64.99

Xero Shoes Barefoot-Inspired Sport Sandals, Women's Z-Trek, $64.99

After constantly getting injured while running, cofounder Steven Sashen switched to barefoot running and loved the effects, so he created a thin running sandal. These comfortable and supportive shoes are great for runners and could inspire them to kick-start their 2021 running goals. They can also be used for outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. 

A suction silicone place mat

Ezpz Happy Mat, $24.99

Parents will appreciate any help they can get. The placemat stays right in place on any flat surface, making it that much easier to get food from the plate into their child's mouth.

A temperature-regulating machine that goes under their bed

BedJet 3 Climate Comfort for Beds, $499

As an engineer who developed the heating and cooling systems of NASA spacesuits, the creator of BedJet has the perfect background to improve the sleep experience. Since temperature often impedes a good night's sleep, the BedJet blows hot or cold air onto the bed and over their body and creates "biorhythm sleep sequences" throughout the night. 

A drink accessory that keeps their beer cold

BottleKeeper The Standard 2.0, $34.99

Is there anything more frustrating to an avid beer drinker than a cold one that's less than cold in just half an hour? The insulated stainless steel BottleKeeper, complete with bottle opener, keeps their beer colder for a longer period of time. It's also a smart way to protect against drops and spills. 

A rapid ramen cooker

Rapid Ramen Cooker, $10.49

What seems like a gag gift has actually come in handy for many busy students, parents, and office workers because it takes away the need for a stove and dish-washing session, cooks the noodles more quickly, and requires less water. It's the perfect size for a block of ramen and a faster, more reliable alternative to stovetop cooking. 

• Chris Sacca owns bitcoin, ethereum, and several other cryptocurrencies.
• Lowercase Capital's billionaire founder flagged crypto's energy usage as a problem.
• Sacca suggested the issue could drive innovation in renewable energy.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

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Billionaire investor Chris Sacca owns a bunch of cryptocurrencies including bitcoin and ether, and sees their environmental costs as a problem that could spark creative solutions.

"I own a broad basket ranging from early BTC/ETH to shitcoin lottery tickets," he tweeted on Saturday. "The climate impact bums me out," he continued. "But that is the market impetus for a lot of clean energy innovation."

Sacca, the founder of Lowercase Capital, was an early investor in Uber, Twitter, and Instagram. He shifted his focus from venture capital to tackling the climate crisis, voter suppression, and other issues in early 2017.

The billionaire's latest comments were prompted by Mark Cuban, his former "Shark Tank" colleague and a champion of dogecoin, tweeting that he always asks himself what coins can be used for.

Sacca was an early investor in bitcoin, and has been bullish on its prospects for years. "Bought bitcoin at $800," he said in March 2014. The cryptocurrency now trades north of $40,000.

He predicted it would become "institutionally mainstream" in 2017. However, he described it as an "environmental disaster"in 2013 and again in 2017.

The surging energy costs of bitcoin mining are a hot-button issue in the crypto space. Tesla CEO Elon Musk reignited the debate last week when he said his electric-car company would no longer accept bitcoin for vehicle purchases, citing environmental reasons.

"I strongly believe in crypto, but it can't drive a massive increase in fossil fuel use, especially coal," he said.

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When Mark Cubanwanted to understand how non-fungible tokens work, he did what he often does: a simple experiment.

He made GIFs out of a few video clips of himself and listed them for $25 each on a website that sells NFTs, unsure if anyone would be interested.

To Cuban, it was worth a shot because the digital tokens can be programmed to have one thing that's irresistible to any good "Shark Tank" judge: passive income in the form of royalty payments.

Whenever the GIF is sold, Cuban expects to get a cut.

"That, in my opinion, is the ultimate game changer and why every seller of anything digital needs to look at NFTs," he said.

But recurring revenue streams are only one facet of NFTs' appeal to entrepreneurs. For all the hype surrounding the technology right now, it barely scratches the surface of what is coming in the next few months and years.

Sales volumes of NFTs are in the range of $2 billion already this year, according to the NFT tracker Nonfungible.com. Just this week, model Emily Ratajkowski sold a digital-only photograph of herself at auction at Christie's for $140,000.

NFTs derive their value from being unique

Consider a dollar bill. In all important respects each is interchangeable with another, and is therefore a "fungible token" of value backed by the US Treasury.

But look closer and you'll see a unique serial number. Maybe it was once used by Mark Cuban, or maybe it was the first dollar your business ever received. If the value of a bill depended on those properties, it would be non-fungible.

NFTs could be used in many industries — from real estate to gaming to finance

"NFTs can be anything," said Craig Russo, the director of innovation at the virtual-economy investment group Polyient.

The main thing to remember is that the real value in an NFT is its ability to encode certain features in the original token, such as earning its creator recurring royalties every time it's sold to someone else, or unlocking new perks as the token gets traded.

NFTs are dominating headlines because collectors are bidding astronomical sums on digital artwork, but Russo's firm is banking on a major adoption of NFTs in the gaming and esports industry.

What makes gaming NFTs different from art ones is that a player can use the NFT in a more interactive way than the collector who can only hope someone will buy their $69 million crypto art.

Russo expects the technology could eventually penetrate into real estate and beyond, as our physical and virtual worlds continue to merge.

Cuban said he could see the Dallas Mavericks using NFTs for ticketing in order to capture a portion of ticket resales, or even use the tokens' "smart contracts" features to offer additional perks.

NFTs are expensive right now, but costs are coming down

The biggest challenge to the development of NFTs right now is cost. Cryptocurrency generation notoriously consumes more energy than Argentina, and NFTs are not only more complicated but also have to compete against other forms of decentralized finance.

Think about how much mental energy it takes to notice what makes one dollar bill unique from all others.

Another critical challenge for businesses is a customer base. User-friendly apps and support systems could lower the barriers to entry for new users.

How to get started

As with any technology that is emerging in real time, the best way to learn is through participation.

"I recommend you roll up your sleeves and just try out the process," Russo said. "Once you try it, a lot more things click in your head."

The gold standard right now is Ethereum, but that can require more time, money, and knowledge than a crypto novice would be willing to commit. Fortunately, Russo said there are dozens of services that save money and hassle by using a kind of side chain that is validated against the primary blockchain.

All you really need is something digital to sell, such as a photo or video you made, Cuban said.

"I invested in a company called Mintable.app specifically because you can mint an NFT for sale in their store, and it is zero cost. No Ethereum transaction fees or anything until it's sold," he said.

Another way to familiarize yourself with tokens is to simply play a video game such as 'Fortnite,' which Russo said is a great primer for understanding how the next generation of the digital economy could work.

Lastly, be on the lookout for communities springing up around shared interests or industries on platforms such as Discord and Reddit, as people work together to incorporate the technology into their business models.

What works for artists now would likely be different from how entrepreneurs might use this in the future, but the possibilities are practically limitless.

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Kevin O'Leary revealed on Anthony Pompliano's podcast that he's a major shareholder of a new decentralized-finance (DeFi) company, which aims to help investors profit from DeFi. The "Shark Tank" star and O'Leary Funds boss also predicted DeFi will play a key role in crypto's future, and said he's deeply interested in the space.

"What interests me the most right now is DeFi. I think it's where the puck is going," O'Leary said. 

O'Leary said that DeFi enables him to wrap up crypto assets into Ethereum chains to make a profit, whereas storing capital in crypto investments does not allow that.

"There must be millions of people who have a little bit of coin who want to make some 4%, 5%, 6% on it," was the thought that led him to ask his team to find experts on the matter, which they did in the Canadian startup DeFi Ventures. 

The company is working to find a commercial solution to DeFi investing, enabling anyone who has a wallet to wrap their assets and utilise DeFi's benefits automatically and in a compliant way. 

O'Leary said he led a $20 million fundraising round for the company, which has yet to go live. "I am going to rename it to WonderFi because it is going to be my vehicle and I think it's just the beginning of some great things to come," said the investor, whose nickname is Mr. Wonderful.

The investor also said that bitcoin's recent volatility has boosted his DeFi investments and driven up profits. "We've had tremendous volatility on bitcoin these last ten days. That actually enhances DeFi, it makes it better. I'm making way more on my contracts now," he continued. 

Higher returns are also making him consider shifting his asset allocation. While he currently still holds 5% gold and 3% crypto, this might change as gold does not provide him with returns, O'Leary said. 

Talking about his start in the crypto industry, O'Leary spoke about the ESG concerns linked to cryptocurrencies and how they were raised by many of his institutional and sovereign fund clients. However, that didn't deter him from going long on bitcoin, he said on the podcast. 

At CoinDesk's Consensus conference on Monday, O'Leary said that bitcoin needs to become more sustainable to attract institutional investors, and a more environmentally friendly way of mining the cryptocurrency could see its value rise as high as $200,000.

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No matter when I go to bed, I try to get up around 7:30 a.m. We have a lot of late nights (hello, startup life) but I feel like waking up around the same time helps me perform my best, even if it means a little less sleep.

Every morning, I scan my texts and emails in bed to make sure there are no emergencies before starting my morning routine. I spend a few minutes in bed cuddling with my rescue pup, Nemo, before I get up to brush my teeth.

My company, Bite, makes toothpaste tablets, so a lot of the time I'll be trying out a new flavor we're working on. I keep a notebook by the sink so I can jot down thoughts and changes I'd like to make while I brush. 

I try to meditate for about 30 minutes and spend another 30 minutes either reading and drinking tea or going on a run and listening to an audiobook before digging into emails at 9 a.m.

My boyfriend Asher and I run the company out of our apartment in Marina del Rey, California, where we converted two of the bedrooms into office spaces and one room into a content studio.

Since we're right on the ocean, I love being able to go for a walk on the beach when I take calls or need to clear my head.

Once the team logs in around 10 a.m., we're fully locked in and it's nonstop work until 7 p.m..

We have a small team of just nine employees, so there's a lot to get done every single day. 

Asher and I touch base around 8 p.m. to recap our work day and tackle whatever tasks we need to work on together. Around 9:30 p.m., I usually go on a run (I love running on the beach at night) or I'll read or watch TV until going to bed around 11pm. 

We have a tableting machine in the middle of our office, and I still use it to test out our seasonal flavors and new products. Our tablets are now made in an outside facility here in Los Angeles, but I created our toothpaste and mouthwash formulas (with the sign-off from some dentists and chemists that we work with) and still do our development in-house, so at any time there are various scents and oils wafting around the apartment. 

I started Bite in 2017 in order to create a sustainable toothpaste product.

After learning about the harsh chemicals that are in a lot of commercial toothpaste and the millions of toothpaste tubes that end up in our landfills and oceans every year, I wanted to make a difference. I've always been passionate about conservation and the environment, so I started taking online chemistry classes and reaching out to every dentist and dental hygienist I knew to get their advice.

The idea was that the toothpaste tablets would come in a glass jar that could be kept and refilled — that way there would be no plastic toothpaste tubes and none of the harsh preservatives needed to keep bacteria growing in the wet paste.

While working full-time as a TV producer, I started making the toothpaste tablets on a hand-press tableting machine at night. 

I labeled and filled the glass bottles in our living room, then I'd pack up every order and drop them off on my way to work in the morning. 

That all changed overnight in 2018 when a video about our product went viral on Facebook, and our sales skyrocketed. 

Both my boyfriend and I left our jobs to work on Bite full time. We launched new products like a bamboo toothbrush and mouthwash tablets, and quickly grew to an 8-figure business.

We're bootstrapped, so instead of raising money through traditional investors, our business is powered by our customers and their support. I spend 30 minutes to an hour each day connecting with  our community, often on social media through comments or DMs, and sometimes on the phone. 

Being on Shark Tank in February 2020 was a wild experience. 

The morning of our shoot, we had an issue pop up with our manufacturer and were literally on the phone up until it was time for us to walk on the stage — running a business never stops! We had spent a ton of time preparing beforehand but even still, I was floored by how well it went. I was so nervous, you can see my hands shaking during our pitch, but the Sharks were extremely kind and receptive to our business and growth which was amazing. 

We received two offers, one from Mark Cuban and one from Kevin O'Leary, but we didn't end up taking either. I think anyone who has their own business should run through the thought process of what they would say if they went on Shark Tank; it's a great way to practice your elevator pitch and showcase your business strategy from the inside out. 

We were fortunate to not feel the brunt of the pandemic as our team has always been small and operating from home.

We're also made in the US, right up the street from "HQ" (our living room) so our supply chain wasn't impacted. And because so many people were buying online and thinking about their health and the planet, we were exposed to new customers and were able to grow. 

We also started new projects to keep our spirits up with the team, including making hand sanitizer to donate to organizations here in Los Angeles on Skidrow. We channeled our formulation background into tracking down the supplies and began manufacturing in-house, strictly to donate. It really helped us bond as a team and to focus outside of ourselves when the world felt upended. It's been a wild ride, but every challenge has helped us grow and improve.   

My advice for fellow entrepreneurs is to get used to the feeling of being on unsteady ground.

It never goes away, so you might as well embrace it from the start. What I've learned about business so far is to be successful, you need to look for the opportunities that others don't see and that usually means you're one of the only ones on that path. Get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable and know we're all figuring it out as we go along. 

Lindsay McCormick is the founder and CEO of Bite, the all-natural, zero-waste, and cruelty-free toothpaste tablets and accessories on a mission to become the world's most sustainable personal care company.

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•  Mark Cuban sees decentralized autonomous organizations, or DAOs, as disruptive.

• DAOs run on blockchains, democratize decisions, and use smart contracts.

• Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway relies on decentralization and autonomy.

•  See more stories on Insider's business page.

The tech billionaire Mark Cuban expects decentralized autonomous organizations, or DAOs, to transform how companies are built and run. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway embraced decentralization and autonomy decades ago, paving the way for DAOs.

DAOs are "the ultimate combination of capitalism and progressivism," Cuban tweeted on Monday.

"There are so many features and processes in any given company that can be more efficient and productive using a decentralized, trustless approach. As companies are built on this approach we will see some incredibly disruptive businesses built," the "Shark Tank" star, Dallas Mavericks owner, and dogecoin champion added.

Buffett's company showcases the power of the core ideas that underpin DAOs, and it could even be considered the precursor to this new breed of organization.

What is a DAO?

DAOs are digital organizations that provide a fresh way to fund ventures, democratize decisions, and split proceeds. They're "decentralized" because they're hosted on a blockchain and all their stakeholders, not just executives and board members, make decisions. They're "autonomous" because they employ smart contracts that automatically execute actions when certain conditions are met, without requiring human approval.

Typically, anyone who owns tokens tied to a DAO can vote on proposals, and their votes are weighted based on the number of tokens they hold — similar to the voting rights attached to shares. If a proposal garners enough votes, a smart contract is triggered, and the approved action is executed.

"If blockchains, NFTs, smart contracts, DeFi protocols, and DApps are tools, DAOs are the groups that use them to create new things," Packy McCormick explained in his Not Boring newsletter earlier this year. "If they're the what, DAOs are the how."

McCormick also pointed out that Vitalik Buterin, ethereum's cofounder, highlighted DAOs as a potential blockchain application in ethereum's white paper in 2013.

Berkshire is an analog DOA

The core principles underlying DAOs, decentralization and autonomy, are key elements of Berkshire's corporate structure.

Buffett's company owns scores of businesses, including Geico, See's Candies, and BNSF Railway, and it employed 360,000 people at the last count. But only a couple dozen people work at Berkshire's headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.

That disconnect is possible because Berkshire has decentralized its operations into dozens of subsidiaries, which are themselves divided into thousands of smaller business units. It also embraces autonomy, leaving its subsidiaries to run themselves with virtually no interference.

"We would rather suffer the visible costs of a few bad decisions than incur the many invisible costs that come from decisions made too slowly — or not at all — because of a stifling bureaucracy," Buffett explained in his 2009 letter to shareholders.

Lawrence Cunningham, a law professor at George Washington University and the author of multiple books about Buffett, highlighted decentralization and autonomy as two of Berkshire's core management principles in "Margin of Trust." He concluded that the company's trust-based culture allowed them to work.

"Neither decentralization nor autonomy are the primary reasons for Berkshire's success or durability," he wrote. "Trust is. Autonomy is a manifestation of trust; decentralization is a consequence of it."

There are clear differences between Berkshire, a sprawling conglomerate of decentralized, autonomous businesses, and DAOs, blockchain-based constructs that rely on smart contracts to strike virtual deals. For one, trust is critical to Berkshire's success, while DAOs enable "trustless" processes — at least in Cuban's view.

But it's fair to say Buffett's company is grounded in the approach Cuban sees as key to the beneficial disruption brought by DAOs and could be seen as a forerunner of such organizations.

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Five years ago, Kaylin Marcotte was working grueling hours at an early-stage startup and sought a healthy way to unwind. 

She tried yoga, meditation, and essential oils, but they didn't help her relax. Then, Marcotte unboxed the jigsaw puzzle she'd purchased before a winter storm hit her hometown of New York City. Piecing the cardboard shapes together calmed Marcotte so much that she didn't look at her buzzing phone. 

"Focusing on one simple task and building something piece by piece felt both relaxing and rewarding," Marcotte said during a pitch for her puzzle startup, Jiggy, on an episode of "Shark Tank" that aired on April 23. "I lost the urge to check my phone and truly cleared my head." 

She was on ABC's hit show seeking a $500,000 investment for her startup, which uses art by women rather than what Marchotte called stuffy stock images of "fishing tackle on a table." Her company saw exponential growth during the pandemic, as customers sought safe forms of entertainment during lockdowns. 

Marcotte launched the business in November 2019 and in the first nine months booked $1.6 million in sales, she said on "Shark Tank." That got the attention of Mark Cuban, who invested $500,000 in Jiggy in exchange for 15% equity, telling Marcotte he was impressed with how she branded and grew the business with no debt. 

Jiggy wasn't the only puzzle business to experience a jump in sales: Ceaco, one of the largest producers of jigsaw puzzles in the US, saw a 300% increase during the second week of March compared to the same time one year earlier, the company's president told NPR. 

Marcotte spoke with Insider and explained the three steps for creating a multimillion-dollar puzzle startup from scratch, including how to stand out in the market. 

Find a differentiating factor in a crowded market

Marcotte aimed to modernize and elevate the classic puzzle, which meant finding new images for customers to complete. Having grown up around artists, she thought featuring emerging creators would both highlight their work and refresh the pastime. What's more, artists get a percentage of the sales. 

She started approaching creators at fairs, curating her own museum of images, before she opened a submissions form on Jiggy's website. 

To further set her company apart, she includes a tube of glue that customers can use to hold the pieces together and frame the completed puzzle. 

Send a message that educates and lures customers 

Before Jiggy, Marcotte specialized in media and marketing, so she understood the importance of highlighting the brand's mission. 

She focused the business's messaging on the mental-health and self-care benefits of puzzles, the finished product as a piece of home decor, and support for female artists. She hoped that trifecta would both educate and lure potential customers. 

"My story was something that I wanted to lead with," Marcotte said. "We have beautiful imagery and good content and wanted to make sure that the product was coming through." 

Additionally, as she was promoting her business, she leaned heavily on visual social-media channels, like Instagram, that would best display the featured artwork. The goal was to grab customers who might be casually scrolling with vibrant and colorful images, she said. 

Adopt a business model based on your customers' behaviors

When Marcotte launched Jiggy, she started with six puzzles and planned to add six more designs quarterly. She understood some customers would be content with this pace while others would crave more, she said. 

To satisfy both groups of consumers, she launched a monthly subscription club. For $26 a month, clients would get a 500-piece puzzle and early access to new products. 

"We're able to serve the appetite and build that repeat-customer behavior," Marcotte said, noting how important it is for entrepreneurs to analyze the customer experience. "You need a product and an option for all the different use cases." 

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Throughout Daymond John's 11 years on Shark Tank, he's worked with a handful of entrepreneurs who've misclassified their business structure. 

Instead of setting up their companies as Limited Liability Corporations (LLC), they formed other structures, like a sole proprietorship or partnerships. 

"We've had to redo the entire foundation and structure of the business," said John, who recently partnered with business development service Inc Authority to help entrepreneurs avoid these mishaps. 

While experts say setting up an LLC is simple, there are critical steps and best practices to follow to ensure you're doing it right. Especially as Americans continue to tap their entrepreneurial spirit during the pandemic — 4.4 million businesses were created last year, a 24% increase from the prior year. 

Insider breaks down the 4-step process, what documents you'll need, and some best practices for early-stage entrepreneurs. 

Choose a name and make sure its available 

First, pick a name for your LLC. While you want something that grabs attention or represents your brand, it's equally important to choose a name that's available, said Greg Martin, president of Inc Authority.

Entrepreneurs can search existing LLC names on their respective state's department of state website — every state is different, but most have a business services section — to avoid a situation like the one John mentioned. 

File the necessary paperwork

Next, prepare and submit the necessary documents to validate your LLC, said Will Lopez, the head of accounting at small business payroll and benefits platform Gusto.  

Entrepreneurs need an employer identification number — which they can obtain through the IRS— and articles of incorporation, which establishes their company in their home state. Each state has a different process for articles of incorporation, so be sure to do your homework depending on your location. 

Additionally, some business owners go an extra step and obtain a certificate of good standing from their state, said Lopez. The process varies state-by-state, but a simple Google search will put you in the right direction. 

The certificate confirms the LLC is properly registered with the state and is up to date on all state registration fees. While you might need a certificate of good standing to work with some banks and insurance companies, not all states require it in order to form an LLC. 

Prepare an operating agreement 

While the steps above validate your LLC, drafting an operating agreement is a good practice, Lopez said. An operating agreement acts as a roadmap for how your LLC will run, including details like ownership, rules and regulations, each member's powers, and how you'll pay yourself, he added. 

"It's a great document to put together and always have because it can also help you determine how you want to tax and pay yourself," Lopez said. 

Best practices for the future 

Lastly, while it's not required for forming an LLC, business owners should consider adopting bookkeeping, receipt tracking, and payroll software from the very beginning, Lopez said. Those systems can help new entrepreneurs manage some of the important aspects of their companies. 

Additionally, both John and Martin suggest trademarking business names. There have been several entrepreneurs who appeared on Shark Tank and, after their episode aired, learned another company owned the trademark to the name they were using, John said. 

"It's horrific because they just got $5 million worth of free advertising," said John, referring to the popularity of ABC's hit program. "And they can no longer use the name people are searching for." 

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Companies that kept workers employed through the pandemic may have an easier time retaining staff now, said Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. 

"Companies that kept on paying employees during the pandemic aren't facing labor shortages," the Shark Tank judge tweeted on Monday. "Those who laid off people are struggling to fill positions and are losing business to those who kept workers on."

As the US economy recovers from the effects of the pandemic, many companies have faced difficulty hiring. In fact, finding qualified employees was one of the top concerns among small businesses — 34% of firms surveyed identified it as a problem — according to a quarterly survey by payroll and HR services firm ADP.

What's more, 44% of small business owners said in April that they had jobs they couldn't fill, which is the third consecutive month with a record-high reading, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.

In an email to Insider, Cuban said his tweet was inspired by recent conversations he's had with entertainment companies, which he declined to name. "Those who kept their staff are in a much better position today," he said. "They may still have trouble finding new workers, but it's because of growth."

Prioritizing people is good for employee retention

Last year, Cuban announced the Mavericks would continue paying hourly workers at the arena, even as the basketball season was suspended because of the pandemic. On Tuesday, he told Insider the company has a full roster. "We had a few people leave for various reasons, but we have not had to go out and fill spots," he said. 

But it's too early to tell whether companies that kept paying employees during the pandemic are faring better during the current labor shortages. There's no data yet to support this theory, especially because there's still very little we know about the full effects of the pandemic. 

However, we do know that lower retention rates are often linked to policies that prioritize employees. Examples of people-first policies include increased minimum wage, childcare options for working parents, paid time off, and lean operations that don't require layoffs during economic downturns.

That includes diversity and inclusion policies 

Diversity and inclusion is another people-first policy that can keep existing employees on staff.

People who feel included at their workplace are 47% more likely to stay with the company, according to a May 2020 McKinsey study. And once they stay, they are more likely to support and collaborate with others. Meanwhile, 39% of job seekers either did not pursue or turned down an opportunity because of a perceived lack of inclusion, said McKinsey partner Diana Ellsworth. 

There are three inclusivity factors: company policies, leadership management, and peers and teammates who serve as allies. All three of these must be met for an employee to feel included, Ellsworth said. 

Not all businesses can afford to prioritize people over profit

The nuance to this conversation lies in the fact that many companies did not have the liquidity to keep paying their employees during the pandemic. This was especially common among small, local businesses with no more than a couple months of expenses saved up. 

"I realize that not everyone could afford to keep people on the payroll," Cuban told Insider in an email. "It was difficult when facing declining or zero revenues."

He added that some companies could afford to keep people on staff, with the help of PPP loans, and didn't. "I'm guessing they are having a much more difficult time staffing up to meet their growth."

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When it comes to mission-driven companies, sometimes customers care more about the mission than the company itself — which is why a strong mission can carry a business a long way.

That's according to Shark Tank investor and serial founder Daymond John, who learned this lesson after investing in cult favorite sock company Bombas, which donates clothing to homeless shelters for every pair of socks sold. Simply put, John realized that customers care about companies that give back and have a clear mission people feel good about.

Read more: BARBARA CORCORAN: Here's what I'm doing to keep my team and my Shark Tank businesses alive during this recession

It's a lesson that factors prominently in John's new course on entrepreneurship for kids ages 10 to 17. He shared with Inc. a process he teaches these young students and adult entrepreneurs alike about creating a mission statement that's clear and easy to digest for customers.

The first step is reaching out to your customers to share the first draft of your mission statement for feedback. If you don't have customers yet, John suggests querying family and friends who fit the target audience for your idea. Gather your small group, share your thoughts, and have your audience repeat back to you, in their own words, what they understand your mission to be. Pay special attention to words that get repeated. You want to make sure how you're phrasing your mission truly communicates what you're intending.

"There are gonna be so many different things to understand the identity and the DNA of your product, service, or brand," he said. "You've got to come up with your two to five words of what you represent. Is there a social cause behind it? Is it price competitive? Is it luxury?"

He also suggests creating a separate value statement by asking yourself the following questions:

• What do you want to solve?
• What do you love?
• What would you do for free every single day and why do you do it?
• What joy does your business bring?
• What about your business will create unity?

Once you have your value statement and two to five words that your group agrees clearly communicate your values, center your brand messaging on those words, according to John. What makes sense to your customer will give your marketing the strongest impact.

And while the initial steps of building a business can be tough, John says to look at it as an opportunity to lay the framework for something great. "The beginning part of the story is the best part," he said.

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There are now ways to "de-plasticize" nearly every aspect of your life, including the laborious chore of cleaning your home.

New startup Blueland gives you both a cleaner home and less mess for landfills. Its clever and cost-efficient system involves dissolvable cleaning tablets, reusable bottles, and your sink.

During an appearance on "Shark Tank," its creators convinced investors that their non-toxic tablets and sustainable packaging would change the way people clean. After trying it ourselves, we're converts, too.

How Blueland works

Blueland's starter kit is called The Clean Essentials and costs $39. Blueland provides three sturdy bottles made from acrylic, and all labeled for different uses: multi-surface, glass and mirror, and bathroom. It also includes a soap dispenser constructed with the same acrylic material. 

Then you have three cleaning tablets, one for each purpose. The tablets make 20 ounces of solution each while the soap tablet makes 9 ounces of solution. 

To make the cleaning solution, you fill the bottle with warm water, then drop the corresponding tablet in the bottle. Within seconds, it's ready to use; no shaking or stirring necessary. 

Review of Blueland

You can visit The Clean Essentials product page for a detailed ingredient list for each cleaner. All the products are free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful to children and pregnant or nursing people. They also don't contain anything on the Environmental Working Group's restricted list.

They're also free from traditional disinfecting ingredients such as chlorine bleach. All the ingredients are natural or naturally derived, so the cleaners are hypoallergenic, and they're pet-safe and cruelty-free. However, that does mean that they won't disinfect surfaces by getting rid of viruses and bacteria.

Shoppers are demanding natural alternatives to many products, and cofounder Sarah Paiji Yoo had her own similar experience. As a new mother, she worried about microplastics in the water supply and air pollutants like VOCs. Blueland is the carefully formulated result of such concerns. 

I tested the cleaners in my own home and found them to be effective and easy to use. Each one is scented, except for the glass and mirror cleaner. The fragrances aren't the overpowering or harsh scents I've come to expect from household cleaners.

My bathroom, in particular, is prone to dust and grime buildup. But the Blueland Bathroom Cleaner ($16) quickly and effectively removed what I thought were stubborn stains in my tub and sink. Meanwhile, the Hand Soap ($16) foamed up well and made my hands feel soft with each wash. The Glass and Mirror Cleaner ($16) is probably the weakest of the four products — it left my mirror slightly streaky.

If you prefer to try a single product first before committing to the whole set, you can get a Starter Set. It contains one tablet and one bottle for your chosen cleaner (bathroom, soap, or glass and mirror).

The most obvious way Blueland is more environmentally friendly is the design of its cleaning products. Instead of throwing out a plastic bottle every time it's empty, you refill your Blueland bottles over and over again. This system also takes advantage of the water you're already using in your home. In addition, every part of its packaging is recyclable, and the tablet wrappers are compostable and biodegradable. 

Ultimately, cleaning with Blueland saves more than the planet, making it a superior product all around. The tablet refills take up a fraction of the space in your cabinets of traditional cleaning products, and they're more affordable. Each refill costs only $2, while traditional competitors cost $3 to $5 for the same amount of cleaner. 

The bottom line

Blueland's cleaning products are innovative, sustainable, effective, and affordable. You may still want a disinfectant to clean some areas of your home, especially during a pandemic. Still, all these benefits make us question why all household cleaners — and many other types of consumer products — aren't made this way. 

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The barriers to entrepreneurship are lower than ever, but access to capital for minorities and women remains stagnant. This article is part of a series called Closing the Funding Gap, where we highlight the steps founders and stakeholders can take to level the playing field.

The moment will burn in Jeff Martin's memory for a lifetime. He and his two Pipcorn cofounders, who run the snack company seen on Shark Tank, were meeting a retail broker to determine whether he'd be a good partner for selling their products to retailers on the East Coast.

Within minutes of sitting down, the white broker seemed to forget he was talking to three people with skin colors different from his own and made a racist joke. The painful interaction told the team everything they needed to know: "If you'll say this to us after 45 minutes, what are you saying to the people that you've known forever?" Martin said. 

Minority-owned businesses like Martin's experience entrepreneurship differently in the US, where minority founders get 23% of venture capital and are less likely to get approved for the full amount of bank loans they apply for. "We have to try a little harder and be a bit of a chameleon at times to get to the next level as fast or faster than somebody else who maybe would roll with that joke," he said, referencing the racist joke the retail broker made.

The incident, which happened in 2014, was only one of the numerous times Martin and his cofounders — his sister, Jennifer Martin and his wife, Teresa Tsou —  have been minimized because of their race, gender, or age. Diversity is an important and powerful element of Pipcorn's team, Martin said, but it can also be a challenge in the startup world. 

Martin explained the methods he and his cofounders use to suss out the bad apples and carefully select partnerships that align with their values.

Investors and partners have to make a good impression too

Founders aren't the only ones who need to make a good impression. Entrepreneurs should find investors and partners who are the right fit for them, said Jennifer Keiser Neundorfer, a founding partner of early-stage investment fund January Ventures. "There's been a real growth in the number of early stage funds and that works in the favor of founders," she added. "Because there's more choice and they can find funds that can really add value to their company."

DeShuna Spencer, founder of KweliTV, a streaming service for Black and African entertainment, shares this perspective: "I don't think every check is a good check," she said. 

Spencer no longer walks into investor meetings feeling nervous or thinking they're doing her a favor. "It should be a privilege to meet with me," Spencer said. "If you do decide to invest in my company, you have your return investment for the work that I did."

Thank you, next. 

While the team's restaurant encounter crossed an obvious line, many times the discrimination Martin and his founders face is subtle. The small details can tell a big story about a person, he said. "Operating in this world as a minority-owned business, you're exposed to things that you may pick up on faster than somebody else." 

At trade shows, the team has experienced a lot of blatant sexism, ageism, and racism. "Ninety-five percent of the time people come and talk to me because they think that I'm in charge because I'm a man," Martin said.

They've learned to navigate around presumptuous people and negative conversations, typically shutting them down politely before they get too far. "The hard part is remaining professional and blocking certain things out so you can still do your job because we're there for a reason, we're paying a lot of money to be there."

Questions Martin and his cofounders ask when they consider working with investors or partners:

Do they value the voices of the young people in the room? Do they have a diverse set of voices in their decision-making?

It's not enough just to see BIPOC and women in a boardroom, it's about whether they are respected in their roles and allowed to add value. "Without representation in the room from many different backgrounds it can be hard to think outside of the box," Martin said. 

What's their body language saying? Did they genuinely pay attention to you?

In one particular early funding meeting, Martin said an investor only made eye contact with him but not with his female cofounders. His disinterest was all over his body, arms crossed and slouching to one side. "Any time Jen or Teresa were talking, he would just stop listening," he said. "It was obvious and deliberate." 

What's the company's culture? Are they like-minded?

"It's so easy to tell when it's a great culture of inclusivity and when it's a culture that is the opposite," Martin said. Since Pipcorn is B-certified, a business that meets the highest social and environmental standards and balance profit and purpose, it's also important to only work with companies and vendors that are like-minded in corporate, economic, and environmental responsibility. 

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Market regulators should clarify the rules, answer people's questions, and focus more on understanding retail investors' needs than on trying to impress Wall Street, Mark Cuban argued this week.

The technology billionaire made the suggestions to Gary Gensler, after the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission tweeted that investors shouldn't even come close to breaking the rules. Gensler added that his agency seeks to protect people from threats such as market manipulation and accounting fraud.

"If you really want to make the markets safer, rather than puffing up your chest and posturing to or with Wall Street, talk to small investors about what they want to see and how they want to be communicated with," Cuban tweeted.

"If you were working on behalf of investors, you make it easy for questions by investors and businesspeople to be asked and answered," he continued. "You make it near impossible. Those who can't afford lawyers can only guess."

The "Shark Tank" star and Dallas Mavericks owner has been a vocal critic of the SEC since the agency charged him with insider trading in 2008. He was ultimately acquitted by a federal jury in 2013.

Cuban has accused the government body of regulating through litigation and intentionally keeping its rules opaque to give its army of lawyers plenty of scope to sue and intimidate. The SEC also gives Wall Street an edge by suing individual investors who can't afford to fight back, and cryptocurrencies are more beneficial to businesses than the agency's oversight, he's said in the past.

"There is no more crooked federal agency than the SEC," he tweeted in 2014. "They are everything that is wrong w the government."

Gensler's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

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