On today’s episode, I’m chatting with founder and CEO of Grypmat, the multi purpose non-slip flexible tool tray. Coming from a small conservative farming town in Ohio, this week’s guest didn’t grow up in an area that encouraged becoming hugely successful. Struggling with imposter syndrome, he began his working life in the Airforce National Guard so he could go to college and study mechanical engineering. From his early days playing with lego, he’d always had a knack for innovation so it was no surprise that on identifying a big pain point in his job as a jet mechanic, he set about creating a solution. Tired of his tools sliding off the curved surface of the aircraft, he took inspiration from the non-slip phone mat in his mom’s car and Grypmat was born. Bringing the product to life is only the beginning of his incredible story as he quickly sold to the likes of NASA, the FBI, Disney and secured fans in the Shark Tank judges where he appeared to successfully pitch his idea. Named one of 2018’s best innovators by Time Magazine, here’s what it’s like to be Tom Burden.
Shop Grypmat here and follow them on social media here @grypmat
