Last Updated on September 26, 2023
Lori Husman Greiner is an American inventor with hundreds of inventions to her name. She has created more than 700 products and holds at least 120 patents.
In addition to her career as an inventor, Greiner is also an entrepreneur, jewelry designer, and reality television personality. She appeared as an investor cum judge on ABC’s reality investment series – Shark Tank. Her television role also includes hosting her show “Clever & Unique Creations” on the QVC network in 2000, during which she earned the nickname “Queen of QVC.”
Lori Greiner’s media-related endeavors also include working as a producer. The reality television star owns her own production company known as Good Place Entertainment. She’s living proof that anything can be achieved if you only set your eyes on it.
Lori Greiner Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Lori Husman Greiner |
| Popular Name: | Lori Greiner |
| Nicknames: | The Queen of QVC, Shark with Heart, and Warm-Blooded Shark |
| Birth Date: | December 9, 1969 |
| Age: | 53 Years |
| Parents: | David L. Husman and Lois Arlene Schwartz-Husman |
| Siblings: | Melinda (Mindy) Husman (biological sister) and Michael Husman (step-brother) |
| Birth Place: | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Caucasian |
| Religion: | Judaism |
| Education: | Loyola University Chicago |
| Marital Status: | Married to businessman Dan Greiner (since 2010) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Children: | None |
| Net Worth: | USD 150 million (as at September 1, 2023) |
| Source of Wealth: | Entrepreneurship, Jewelry Design, Reality Television Appearance, Television Production, Book Royalties, Speaking Engagements, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 4″ (1.63 m) |
| Weight: | In kilograms: 59 kg; In pounds: 131 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Lori Greiner was born on December 9, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, to David L. Husman and Lois Arlene Schwartz-Husman. Her father is an accomplished real estate developer while her mother was a renowned psychotherapist who was a member of various societies during the prime of her career, such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.
Greiner’s parents married in 1957 but divorced in 1969. She has a blood sister named Melinda (Mindy) Husman and a step-brother from her father’s second marriage called Michael Husman.
Education Background
Lori Greiner spent much of her childhood in Chicago’s Near North Side. After completing high school education, she proceeded to Loyola University Chicago, graduating with a degree in communications.
Greiner worked for The Chicago Tribune during her college years. She was also an aspiring playwright during the same period and occasionally sold jewelry as a side gig. She would eventually give up her playwriting ambitions to pursue her career as an inventor.
Career Highlights
Lori Greiner launched her professional career shortly after graduating from Loyola University Chicago. She founded For Your Ease Only merchant company in 1996 and has served as its president since then.
Greiner also patented her first product – an earring organizer – in 1996. She sold the product to J.C. Penney and used the proceeds to settle her $300,000 loan in 18 months.
The earring organizer became the first in a series of products that Greiner would invent over the years. She has since patented over 120 products from different categories, including household goods, travel supplies, and electronics. Greiner’s inventions have been featured on high-end lifestyle magazines, such as The Oprah Magazine, Woman’s Day, InStyle, and Family Circle.
Greiner banked on her success with J.C. Penney to expand her brand. Her inventions later appeared on the free-to-air television network Home Shopping Network (HSN), as well as the retail store Bed, Bath and Beyond.
In 2000, Lori Greiner started hosting her reality show – Clever & Unique Creations by Lori Greiner – on QVC. Her multiple appearances on the show earned her the title “The Queen of QVC.”
In 2012, Greiner made her debut in Shark tank as an investor. Her 2014 investment in Scrub Daddy – a company that manufactures texture-changing household sponge – is widely regarded as one of the series’ most successful investments.
Greiner’s other noteworthy Shark Tank investments include Bantam Bagels, ReadeRest, Squatty Potty, Paint Brush Cover, and Drop Top. All the companies she has invested in have collectively earned over $400 million and reported a 90% success rate.
Other Ventures
Lori Greiner has also doubled in television production. She undertakes most of her production engagements through her own company Good Place Entertainment.
In 2014, Greiner authored her first book, “Invent it, Sell it, Bank it! – Make Your Million Dollar Idea into a Reality.” You can pretty much judge the book by the title on its cover.
Lori Greiner’s Net Worth
As at September 1, 2023, Lori Greiner had a net worth of $150 million.
The bulk of Greiner’s wealth comes from her successful career as an inventor, entrepreneur, and investor. She has also earned through her various television engagements, including both as a reality television host, judge, and producer.
Greiner reportedly earns around $5 million annually from her For Your Ease Only company and her role on Shark Tank. Her Shark Tank salary is around $50,000 per episode, which works out as $1.2 million a season.
Book royalties are Greiner’s other likely income earner. There are no official figures on the copies “Invent it, Sell it, Bank it!” has sold so far. However, it’s logical to infer that the book generated decent sales, considering it was a national bestseller.
As with most other Sharks, Greiner makes money from speaking engagements. She has been a keynote speaker on events by high-profile companies, such as IBM, Adobe, Chase, American Heart Association, Coldwell Banker, and PayPal.
Lori Greiner’s Private Life
Lori Greiner has been married to entrepreneur and business partner Daniel Greiner since 2010. The couple has no children yet.
Daniel Greiner is the current vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) of For Your Ease Only. He served in a few prestigious stints before becoming her wife’s business associate, including as a controller at the Bell & Howell Corporation.
The Greiners live and work in Chicago. They’re also rumored to have offices in a few other cities across the country, including Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Lessons from Lori Greiner
1. Leave your footprints wherever you go
Lori Greiner has been an instrumental force in all her previous professional engagements, and her nicknames are testament to that. She earned the nickname “The Queen of QVC” and the “Warm-blooded Shark” for her critical role in the QVC network and Shark Tank series, respectively.
2. Strive to stand out from the crowd
Shark tank judges are notorious for being rather too demanding and sometimes outright inconsiderate. Many have argued that it’s all for the best, as their disposition challenges contestants to give a good account of themselves and possibly sign an investment deal. However, Greiner proved that it doesn’t hurt to step out from the crowd. Her meek and soft-spoken demeanor earned her the nickname “Shark with Heart” on the show.
3. Leverage your achievements as a springboard for higher success
Lori Greiner’s products brought her incredible success when they got featured on the J.C. Penney department store. While some people may have found a reason to sit back and bask in the glory of her achievements, Greiner saw it as an opportunity to launch into greater heights.
Famous Quotes by Lori Greiner
• A brilliant idea doesn’t guarantee a successful invention. Real magic comes from a brilliant idea combined with willpower, tenacity, and a willingness to make mistakes.
• As an entrepreneur, you can always find a solution if you try hard enough.
• Dear optimist, pessimist, and realist – while you guys were busy arguing about the glass of wine, I drank it! Sincerely, the opportunist.
• Entrepreneurship is the way we take control of our lives in a tough economy.
• In business, it is most often all about getting your foot in the door, and once you do, everything opens up and things start to naturally progress into bigger and more opportunities.
Wrap Up
Lori Greiner is an inventor and entrepreneur who came to be known for her various roles on reality television networks. She has amassed a net worth of $150 million, which is the combined wealth with her husband and business associate – Daniel Greiner.
