Lori Greiner is an American entrepreneur, inventor, and television personality who has a net worth of $150 million. She is best known as a cast member of the reality TV show Shark Tank and is nicknamed “The Queen of QVC” for her success selling products through the home shopping channel.
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Lori Greiner Net Worth
Lori Greiner has accumulated immense wealth through her multiple business ventures. As of 2024, Lori Greiner has an estimated net worth of around $150 million.
When Greiner first found success with her earring organizer in the 1990s, she was able to quit her day job and dedicate her time solely to inventing and marketing new products. The subsequent sales from her Clever Clips, Lori Greiner bust kits, Foldable Flip-it rollers, and other creations made her a multimillionaire.
Greiner struck gold when she started appearing on QVC and selling her products to millions of home shoppers. Her company and product lines continued to expand significantly, adding many millions per year to her net worth.
However, Lori Greiner’s biggest financial boost yet came from her becoming an investor on Shark Tank in 2012. Though the exact amount she makes per episode is undisclosed, Shark Tank significantly increased Greiner’s visibility and demand for her products.
Early Life and Education
Lori Greiner was born on December 9, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois. From a young age, Lori displayed an innovative mind and entrepreneurial drive. As a child, she enjoyed creating things, from craft projects to gadgets. She had a natural talent for envisioning clever products and improvements.
Lori grew up in the Chicago suburb of Northfield in a middle-class family. Her father was a real estate developer, and her mother was a psychologist. Their professions likely influenced Lori’s creative and analytical abilities.
In high school, Lori already exhibited business savvy by starting a jewelry business. She sold her handmade earrings and necklaces to local stores. Her creation and marketing of these accessories foreshadowed the inventing career she would later pursue.
After high school, Lori Greiner attended Loyola University Chicago. In 1991, she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in communications. Though she did not study business or engineering, the communications skills she gained would prove very useful in promoting and selling her inventions.
Career Beginnings
After graduating from Loyola University in 1991, Lori Greiner took a job as a playwright with a children’s theater company. She enjoyed the creative aspects of the role, writing and producing plays for kids. However, Greiner soon realized she wanted to turn her innovative ideas into concrete products.
In 1996, Greiner created her first major invention – an earring organizer. It was a simple plastic box designed to hold earrings and necklaces in place neatly. She sold the product to J.C. Penney, and it was an immediate commercial success.
The quick achievement of selling to a major retailer gave Greiner the confidence to pursue inventing full-time. She quit her theater job to focus on creating and marketing new products.
Greiner’s natural talent for consumer-friendly design and efficient direct marketing fueled her burgeoning career. In 1999, she appeared on the Home Shopping Network to promote her earring organizer live on air. The engaging and personable style in which Greiner presented her product helped drive sales.
Sources of Income
Lori Greiner has amassed her enormous net worth of $150 million through various business ventures. Her primary sources of income include product sales, TV appearances, Books, Public speaking, equity deals, etc.
Greiner has created over 800 products and sold hundreds of millions of dollars worth of her inventions through QVC, HSN, retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond, and her websites. Her most popular products include Clever Clips, Foldable Flip-it, Lori Greiner bust kits, and more.
Moreover, Greiner earns a sizable income, appearing regularly on QVC to promote her products. She likely makes over $50,000 per QVC appearance. Her role as an investor on Shark Tank also contributes significantly to her wealth.
Greiner has published several books on entrepreneurship and inventing, including Invent It, Sell It, Bank It! and Inventing Made Easy. Book royalties provide a smaller but steady revenue stream. She makes paid appearances and gives speeches at corporate events, colleges, and conferences to share her business expertise.
However, Greiner invests in companies and takes equity in exchange for her capital and advice. Lucrative exits from these deals add to her bank account.
Business Ventures
In 2000, Lori Greiner founded For Your Ease Only, Inc. to market and sell her products. Her second significant invention was the Clever Clips plastic jewelry organizer. It sold over $1 million worth in its first year through direct response TV marketing.
Lori soon started selling her products through the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and then QVC, reaching millions of viewers. Over the years, she has created over 800 products and holds over 120 U.S. and international patents. Her most successful creations include the Foldable Flip-it hair roller and the Lori Greiner bust sculpture kit.
Beyond her product lines, Lori has helped launch hundreds of new products for other entrepreneurs through her company, InventRight. She also invests in startup companies, providing advice and capital.
In 2012, Lori became an investor on the ABC reality TV show Shark Tank. She is now one of the main Sharks on the show, making deals with aspiring entrepreneurs seeking investments. Her keen instincts and warm personality have made her a fan favorite.
Personal Life
Lori Greiner is married to her husband, Dan Greiner. The two met in the 1990s through mutual friends and dated for over 10 years before tying the knot.
Dan Greiner works in real estate and helps run operations for Lori’s business. He handles tasks like shipping logistics, allowing Lori to focus on product innovation and sales.
In 2010, Lori and Dan got married in a private ceremony in Chicago. They have no children together and currently reside in both Chicago and Philadelphia.
Lori prefers to keep her personal life out of the spotlight. In interviews, she emphasizes that her family and marriage are very traditional.
Philanthropy
Lori Greiner is dedicated to giving back through philanthropy work. She supports various causes, especially those empowering women and children.
Greiner serves on the board of directors for the American Heart Association, aiming to help fund research and education about cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, an issue Greiner is passionate about.
She has also contributed to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which provides early-detection screenings and support services for women battling breast cancer. Based on her own experiences with friends impacted by cancer, this is an essential cause for Greiner.
Additionally, Greiner works with camps that offer programs for children with special needs and learning disabilities. She aims to help create an inclusive environment where these children can gain confidence.
FAQs on Lori Greiner Net Worth
How did Lori Greiner get started as an inventor?
Lori Greiner got her start as an inventor in the 1990s when she created an earring organizer. The plastic jewelry organizer sold successfully in J.C. Penney stores nationwide.
What products made Lori Greiner rich?
Some of Lori Greiner’s most successful inventions that contributed to her millionaire status include the earring organizer, Clever Clips, Foldable Flip-it hair rollers, Lori Greiner bust kits, and a variety of jewelry and cosmetic organizers.
Why is Lori Greiner so successful?
Lori Greiner is successful because of her innate ability to come up with clever product ideas that solve everyday consumer problems. She also has an eye for affordably priced items with mass appeal.
How much does Lori Greiner make per episode of Shark Tank?
Lori Greiner’s exact Shark Tank salary is undisclosed. However, reports estimate she may make around $50,000 or more per episode as one of the leading investors, Sharks.
Bottom Line
Lori Greiner is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere. She pioneered her way to the top thanks to her creative mind, marketing talents, and persistent work ethic. Greiner turned small plastic organizers into a multi-million dollar empire.
