Squatty Potty

Strange Success with Jane Wells

The Squatty Potty was created by an entrepreneurial family in Utah because mom suffered from, well, constipation. Sales in 2017 were close to $33 million, but achieving that figure in six years included a few obstructions (get it?). It started with trying to create some word-of-mouth buzz for a product no one likes to talk about, and it nearly ended when a trusted team member ripped off their idea. The Squatty Potty’s path to riches also includes hilarious detours to “Dr. Oz” and “Shark Tank,” and a Powerball line outside a convenience store in Texas. Here’s the strange success of one family willing to talk about poop.