Columbus, OH — Tom Burden, a Celina native and University of Toledo alumnus, returned to Columbus on Thursday to speak with students at the Academy for Urban Scholars, sharing lessons in perseverance, innovation, and the mindset behind building a business.
Burden, best known for pitching his invention Grypmat on Shark Tank in 2017, told students that entrepreneurship begins with habit and attitude as much as with a product or plan. The non-slip tool tray—born from his time in the Air Force when tools kept sliding off aircraft surfaces—has grown into a successful business after he closed a $360,000 deal with three Sharks.
From Air Force Problem to Market Solution
Burden explained how a practical problem led to a simple, durable idea that solved a real pain point for technicians and hobbyists alike. He emphasised the importance of testing, iterating, and using everyday frustrations as the raw material for invention.
Key points from Burden’s visit:
- Origin story: Idea conceived during Air Force service when tools repeatedly slipped from aircraft surfaces.
- Product: Grypmat, a sticky, non-slip tool tray designed to keep tools in place.
- Breakthrough: Closed a $360,000 on-air deal with three Sharks on Shark Tank (2017).
- Message to students: Skill-building and mindset are lifelong advantages—start now.
Practical Advice and Mindset Lessons
Burden’s message to students at the career-focused academy was clear: opportunity follows preparation and perspective. He encouraged students to focus on what they can do with their current resources rather than what they lack.
“I see a lot of people focus on what they don’t have and if they just kind of switch that around, really the opportunities are endless in a career center like this,” Burden told students.
His visit combined personal storytelling with actionable advice—how to spot simple product-market fits, the value of prototyping, and the persistence needed when setbacks arrive.
Community Impact and Local Roots
The event highlighted the loop between local success stories and youth inspiration: graduates who return to share their experiences can demystify entrepreneurship for students who may not otherwise see themselves as inventors or business owners. As reported by NBC4i, Burden used his Columbus stop to remind young people that the technical skills they learn now can translate into long-term competitive advantage and ownership opportunities (source: NBC4i).
Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For students and educators, Burden’s visit underscored a few practical steps:
- Treat everyday problems as potential business ideas.
- Build simple prototypes and test quickly.
- Be persistent—success often follows iteration and resilience.
- Cultivate a growth mindset: focus on skills and actions within your control.
Looking Ahead
Burden’s return to Columbus serves as a reminder that local role models matter. By connecting real-world experience to classroom skills, visits like this one make entrepreneurship feel tangible and accessible for the next generation.
What do you think of Burden’s message to students—does practical, hands-on entrepreneurship belong in every high school curriculum? Share your views in the comments below.
