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By J.D. Houvener
Patent Attorney and Founder

Dan: Hi Sharks, I’m Dan from Missoula, Montana.

Andy: And I’m Andy from Locust Grove, Georgia. We’re the inventors of the Kettle Gryp.

Dan: Kettlebells have become increasingly popular for dynamic full-body workouts that build functional strength and range of motion. However, they’re expensive, hard to travel with, and take up valuable floor space. So, I started thinking about how to turn the dumbbells I already owned into kettlebells. That’s when the light bulb went off. I made a rough sketch and sent it to my best friend, Andy. He was impressed by my “talent” as an artist—

Andy: It looked like it was drawn by a 5-year-old—but he loved the concept.

Andy: Kettle Gryp is a portable dumbbell adapter that allows you to do all your favorite kettlebell exercises anywhere you can find a dumbbell. Simply open the Kettle Gryp, insert nearly any dumbbell, secure the latch, and you’re ready for your Kettle Gryp workout.

Dan: Kettle Gryp is great for swings, upright rows, overhead presses, flexibility, and range of motion.

Andy: We’re seeking a $300,000 investment for 10% equity in our company. So, Sharks, who’s ready to get a grip?

Andy: In front of you, you’ll find a Kettle Gryp and a dumbbell. Feel free to pick it up and check it out.

Mark: Great job, Robert. Here we go.

Kevin: How heavy is yours, Mark?

Lori: Actually, it’s not, but I really like the idea.

Andy: There are a lot of exercises you can’t safely do with a dumbbell.

Mark: I have to tell you, it actually felt better than a kettlebell.

Dan: We agree. Kettlebells can crunch your hands, but this has a very comfortable grip.

Mark: What’s the maximum weight it can handle?

Dan: It’s rated to hold up to 55 lbs without any problem.

Kevin: Why is this worth $3 million? You better have a ton of sales.

Dan: We do have sales. Our lifetime sales are $3.6 million.

Mark: 2018

Andy: $391,000

Kevin: 2019

Andy: $590,000

Kevin: 2020 (during COVID-19)

Andy: $1.9 million

Mark: 2021 (year to date)

Andy: $680,000 (expected to finish at $1 million)

Andy: 92% of sales are from online marketplaces.

Andy: I was a 20-year Marine Corps helicopter pilot.

Matt: Terrible name.

Matt: It’s a descriptive trademark. Enforcement will be difficult.

JD: The patent seems narrow and could be challenging to enforce.

Matt: They have a trademark registration, but it has limitations.

Matt: Product is good, trademark and patent are not ideal.

JD: Encouraged despite market dips post-COVID-19.

JD: Thanks for joining us. Wishing you all a great day. Go big, go bold!

About the Author
J.D. Houvener is a Registered USPTO Patent Attorney who has a strong interest in helping entrepreneurs and businesses thrive. J.D. leverages his technical background in engineering and experience in the aerospace industry to provide businesses with a unique perspective on their patent needs. He works with clients who are serious about investing in their intellectual assets and provides counsel on how to capitalize their patents in the market. If you have any questions regarding this article or patents in general, consider contacting J.D. Houvener at https://boldip.com/contact/