Moonshot helps launch Holly Jaleski’s innovative Grubcan.
Holly Jaleski, of Flagstaff, said the inspiration for Grubcan came to her while she was out on the trail.
“My husband and I were hiking out at the beginning of a week-long backpacking trip in Yosemite when the bear-resistant canister I was carrying in my pack wouldn’t stop stabbing me in the back,” Jaleski said. Frustrated, she told her husband, Jim Corning, an engineer, that they needed to create a container that could be easily opened but also fit neatly into a pack, like a tent.
With the help of Moonshot, Jaleski went from concept to minimum viable product in record time. In early 2020, she met with Kiersten Hathcock, Moonshot mentor and Shark Tank-winning entrepreneur, to discuss possible avenues for distribution. Jaleski was working part-time at the Flagstaff REI co-op at the time and Hathcock discovered that the company, which has 168 stores nationally, was sponsoring an innovator contest.
“It felt like we struck gold when we found the REI contest,” Hathcock said. “From the moment I shared the link with Holly, it resonated on an intuitive level for both of us. I was thrilled to help her prepare for what felt like a kismet opportunity for Grubcan and REI.”
More than 500 ideas for products were submitted, and Jaleski was one of 35 finalists chosen to meet with REI buyers in Washington state. Moonshot flew her to Seattle, where she secured a vendor partnership. Last December, REI ordered 4,000 Grubcan units.
“What I love most about the launch of Grubcan is the excitement we’ve had from people,” she said. “This was a product I mostly wanted for myself and then other people wanted it too once they saw the first prototype. I have people thanking me for making this product and changing the bear-resistant container industry. We’ve not done any advertising, but people are finding us through REI and word of mouth. That’s so exhilarating!”
Grubcan is made from the same material as bulletproof windows and fits easily in or tied to a backpack. The unique gravity latch keeps bears from getting into the canister, but allows people to open it easily without tools. Grubcan has been certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee, which tests bear-resistant products.
In coming months, Liberty Mountain Distribution will begin distributing the canisters to smaller brick and mortar stores across the country. Buyers can also purchase the product on the tuffystuffy.com website.
“I want to emphasize how great it has been to work with REI,” said Jaleski. “They have helped launch many young products like mine and are changing the sustainability practices in the outdoor industry by requiring certain packaging, tagging, etc. In addition, they have provided so much guidance on shipping and tracking orders.”
Jaleski credits Moonshot at NACET for providing the support, education, mentorship and networking opportunities she needed to bring Grubcan to market.
“I loved being part of the entrepreneurship class with other startup founders,” she said. “The class content provided a backbone for great conversations with my fellow classmates. We helped one another by offering suggestions and support. To this day, I still keep in touch with and support several Moonshot graduates.”
Jaleski says her talent for innovation is not stopping with Grubcan. “I have three new products in various stages of development.” QCBN
By Scott Hathcock and Bonnie Stevens, QCBN
For more information on Grubcan, go to tuffystuffy.com. For more information on Moonshot at NACET, visit moonshotaz.com.
