The idea for Grim Workshop was born not long after a wild turkey hit Jordan Grimes’ car windshield during a trip to Arkansas with his wife. The windshield shattered and made vision difficult on a deserted country road.

[Photo Courtesy Grim Workshop]

“They realized they had nothing in the car they could use in an emergency if they had gone off the side of the road,” said Mindy Grimes, explaining how Grim Workshop, a designer of mini toolkits, was born.

That was in 2015. When Jordan Grimes arrived back home to the family farm in Shady Shores north of Dallas, the family started talking about the incident, and ideas began to form. Grim Workshop was founded a short time later.

Grim Workshop recently completed its first Kickstarter campaign, raising $15,882 from 326 backers over a 34-day period for creation of survival tools that can be put on a zipper pull or into a bracelet. Its funding goal for the campaign was $3,250.

“We were pretty happy with that; that was our first (Kickstarter) campaign,” Mindy Grimes said. All 12 zipper pull tools can be stacked into an area the size of a AAA battery. They include a saw, eating utensil, sewing needles, a bottle opener, a can opener and other items. Backers, depending on the size of their pledge, received a tool or tool bundle for their funding support.

Mindy Grimes said five family members are involved in the business and brainstorm ideas for tools which Jordan Grimes designs on a computer.

“We all critique the (tool) cards and come up with different tools and different aspects of the tools,” she said.

GRIM WORKSHOP TOOLS MADE FROM SURGICAL STEEL

A U.S.-based manufacturer cuts a prototype of each new design from surgical grade stainless steel and, if it passes muster with the family, production begins.

The company has plenty of competitors but they sell tools produced overseas that typically offer a one-time use. Grim differentiates itself with reusable tools produced in the United States. It posts instructional videos on its website illustrating how they can be used.

“We all critique the (tool) cards and come up with different tools and different aspects of the tools.”
Mindy Grimes

The company’s first toolkit, the size of a credit card, contains a knife, arrows and fishing hooks and remains its most popular kit. The company’s products, which range in price from $5.98 to $20, include Grim for women, a line of jewelry that can double as survivor tools.

Grim sells online and at conventions and conferences. The company plans to explore potential partnerships with select retailers in 2018 and may go back to Kickstarter with another funding campaign for a new tool launch. It also recently rebranded to broaden its appeal beyond self-reliance/survivalist customers to anyone interested in innovative tools.

Grimes said the company, which operates from a workshop on the family farm, is profitable, but declined to release annual revenue numbers. Patents are pending.

[Photo Courtesy Grim Workshop]

[Photo Courtesy Grim Workshop]

[Photo Courtesy Grim Workshop]

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