The Griphook was incepted on December 24th, 1982. As
a paper carrier during the BLIZZARD of '82. There was no chance of getting my route done on bike, so I put all the papers
into garbage bags and hauled them across the waist deep snow. It was then I thought. "I wish I had a handle, with a hook
on it, so I could just drag the bag over the snow!" 25 years it took to manifest itself!
After Graduating
from Northglenn High School in 1986, my first job was doing Pizza Delivery. I thought
of inventing the Griphook off and on, while taking plastic bags with 2 liter bottles of soda up to a 3rd floor apartment while
moving the pizza bags too... Nahhh, I'll do it later
In 1988 I founded Mercury Messenger Service.
I worked as a courier full time until January of 1991. That's when I started Jammin' Out!! Mobile
DJ. My first gig was a couples 50th Wedding Anniversary. (They had an ice cream social!)
In 1994
I took my first EMS course. I couldn't get enough. I soon took a CNA class then re-upped on my EMT basic again in
1996- Trinidad State Junior College.
1996 Colorado Springs- On the way from Trinidad
my truck breaks down. I have to carry an altenator and a car battery 10 blocks to the Auto Supply store. I was ANGRY
with myself, that I hadn't invented "that doohicky". Nahh, I'll do it later..
1997
Then it was off to become a Medical Assistant-
In 2000 I began working as an instructor at the
collegiate level. While teaching MA, I saw value in the CPR Instructor card. I QUIT teaching college courses and started CHALLENGER CPR.com in September of 2000.
In January of 2001, My father had a one car roll over accident. His rehab was long, and exhausting.
I saw his weakend state, but he was still going 100%. Over 3 years of rehab, my father was really getting around,
but not like he was used to. If he won't slow down, let me help him along!
November of 2004,
My friend Jon Urland laughed as I took a hand crank drill and bored a hole into a bench... "I got myself an idea."-
It's finally "later"
December of 2004 I invented the 1st prototype of the
Griphook to help dad get along.. I never thought it would have turned into THIS!!!
March of 2005
I sold the first prototype for the GRIPHOOK in an abandoned parking lot off of I-25 and Arapahoe Rd. A young man carrying
10 or so grocery bags, walking home from shopping. I remember the size of his smile when he reached for his wallet, I knew
I was onto something special.
In April of 2005 I flew out to Atlanta, GA in hopes of getting onto an
inventors show. They liked the Griphook and moved me into the next level. I didn't like the contract, so I DECLINED
a National TV Audience. I decided to put the Griphook project on the back burner for a while.
March of 2006,
1st internet sale. (Ebay)
May of 2006 1st Griphook.com sale
January of 2007,
The Griphook is ready for the public- In it's first public venue the Griphook was A big success. "The
darling of the Stock Show."
February 2007 Beyond Sight in the Very 1st retail outlet
for the Griphook! (Blind and Near Blind Devices)
March 2007 The Rocky Mountain Horse Expo! Thank
You Brian! It was there I found you can move a BALE!!- 1st Prototype of a Buckethook debut!
July 2007
Greeley Independence Stampede, Chainhook is invented. (Rough crowds in Greeley!)
July 3, 2007
1,000th Griphook sold!
August of 2007 Colorado Horse Park. Event was really fun to watch, and
it put me in line to Craig @ BIG R!!
August 23rd 2007 BIG R Stores picked up the Griphook
and Buckethook! Thank You Greg & Craig ! 971 days.. Turned into a 6,000 mile road trip! I shook hands
with the store managers, delivered samples, explained my brand new device! Lamar, Elizabeth, La Junta, Falcon (Colo Springs)
Pueblo, Alamosa, Cortez, and my family's hometown of TRINIDAD COLORADO!!
In October of 2007
I finally earned my break! I was again at the "Rocky Mountain Horse Expo" in Durango. I was interviewed by Rick
Lamb, host of "The Horse Show" on RFD TV.
Basin COOP in Durango comes on board.
After
that I went to a RCPM show and Gracie got hooked up! Thanks to Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, and The Alternate Routes
too! You guys made our whole night!- Thanks to "Sprout" for the ultimate pic!
November 13, 14 & 18th
2007 "The Horse Show" Hosted by Rick Lamb airs! THANK YOU RICK and DIANA!!
November
23rd 2007 BIG R Stores 1st print ad with the Buckethook featured! Sold 94 Units the 1st week!
December
15th 2007- The Griphook Company will air it's very own commercial for TV!
2008 National Western Stock
Show! Invented 2 new models, using 48" of steel.
I took the Balehook, and made it BIGGER! "The Ultimate Balehook"
was born! Any bale, any size, this device can move it, if it can't, you need a tractor!
I also modified
the Longhook into a longer hook, to move drywall or sheet rock, plywood or particle board. It gives a lower center of gravity!
The Drywall Hook!
In 1 year, I developed 6
new styles!
1 Griphook/Grocery Dad's garage, Trinidad, Colorado 2004
2 Buckethook National
Western Stock Show 2007
3 Balehook National
Western Stock Show 2007
4 Longhook Rocky Mountain
Horse Expo 2007
5 Chainhook Greeley Independence Stampede
2007
6 Drywall hook National Western Stock Show 2008
7 Ultimate Balehook National
Western Stock Show 2008
Thanks to all the new retail outlets to come aboard!
Big R Stores
8 Stores in Colorado, 1 Dumas TX Thanks GREG & CRAIG!! and Allen Finley!
Durango COOP Basin CO-OP, Durango,
Colorado
Beyond Sight Very 1st retailer!
Walker's Quality Cage & Feed. Wheatridge, Colorado
Little Valley Wholesale Nursery Brighton, Colorado- "Gancho's" Thanks Bryan!
Mc Guckin Hardware
Boulder, CO! Chris Taylor!! THANK YOU!!
Hi Brow - Canada- NATIONWIDE! Thank You!- 400 times!
Soon to come in eNasco
Magazine ! Fall Catalog. Farm & Ranch!! Thank You!!
In April of 2008 The DENVER BUSINESS JOURNAL ran an article
about The Griphook & Company! Thank You!! Sharon Gillan!!
In September of 2008 The Griphook Company went
National in Nasco Magazine! 500,000 copies were mailed out in the middle of September.
The Griphook Company was invited to attend the Nations Largest Dairy Expo in Wisconsin in October!
Visit us at one of our upcoming shows.
World Dairy Expo September 30- October 1st 2008
International
Reining Festival October 14th-19th 2008
National Western Stock Show January 10-25th
2009
