Jason and Carson Grill are the father-son duo who have taken the world by storm with their product, Touch Up Cup. The idea started when then-13-year-old Carson and his father Jason wanted to do some touch-up painting around the house. They went to find the paint cans they had already opened, only to find that all their old paint cans had rusted and the paint was now unusable. Seeing the challenge of storing paint cans and not wasting paint, Carson then devised the idea to design an airtight container that would help keep the paint fresh for years.
Carson brought the idea to his dad Jason, and they began to get to work. They started creating prototypes, tested out different materials, and focused on designing the airtight seal to make sure that the product would be effective. Through Jason’s business expertise, they were able to create a brand for Touch Up Cup. It quickly gained attention in the business world, especially for homeowners, contractors, and painters for its practical utility.
The breakthrough that they were looking for finally came in 2020. Carson and Jason had the opportunity to appear on Shark Tank, the famous TV show where young business entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to the sharks, who are famous wealthy people. Carson, now only 15 at the time, gave a great pitch and impressed the sharks with his passion and understanding of the product. This was enough to secure a deal with Draymond John. The deal was $200,000 for a 25% stake in the company. This deal allowed for greater exposure and visibility which allowed them to expand their distribution to major retailers such as Walmart and The Home Depot. Touch Up Cup has now grown into a family business and has expanded its product line to include other DIY accessories and paint accessories. Jason and Carson’s story is an example of how a simple idea combined with hard work and determination can ultimately transform into a successful business venture.
Who does not love a father son team? It is very impressive that Carson gave the pitch that gave them the breakthrough that they needed. At only 15 years old, he successfully persuaded one of the sharks! This is a great story that shows how a small idea can come to life and be noticed by a wealthy shark.
I like how they found the problem of rust on paint cans and storing paint cans to creating a solution which is Touch Up Can. I also love that the boy worked with his father on this.