Just in time for the autumn yard cleanup, and the planting
of perennials, a new start-up company is working to bring American-made yard
tools to the market. Bosse Tools is the brainchild of young entrepreneur Steven
Walden, a recent graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
Being made in America is rare enough (try finding a
U.S.-made Ames True Temper shovel anymore!), but Bosse Tools have another
innovative feature: an ergonomic design with a rotatable center handle that
makes it much easier to grasp the tool handle
.
To get his idea to market, Walden is launching a campaign on
Kickstarter to raise money to begin manufacturing.
Below is a summary of my interview with Walden:
1) You say you got your idea for improved tools from your
own experience using traditional shovels. How did you get from "idea"
to design?
The short answer is that I’m no stranger to the shovel, and
after working for my parents a few summers ago (with my mom in her community
garden and with my dad at his properties in Phoenix) – I decided that I may
have thought of a ‘better mousetrap.’ It
shouldn’t be normal to wake up sore every day after using these tools, so why
not come up with a way to make them easier to use. I was using other tools as well, with
perpendicular handles, like hedge trimmers and weed whackers, when I realized
that this handle configuration can be used on a simple shovel.
I took this idea to my entrepreneurship class at Loyola
Marymount University – and as a senior, I ended up winning the school
competition for “new venture creation.”
What started as a class project grew into an idea for an entire line of
tools, so I started Bosse Tools – the ergonomic tool company.
2) Where are your products manufactured and what was
important to you in making that choice?
The best part about
Bosse Tools is that we are 100% American born and 100% American made. For me, the choice was obvious. We have redesigned a tool for the American
worker and we want it built here too. I
have faced a lot of scrutiny from potential investors and so-called 'business
experts' about the strategic maneuver.
They said it is just not possible to do it in America. I would usually tell them, "Just
watch." Next time the price of a
shovel comes into question, I ask you to flip the tool over and look where it's
made. Be proud to buy American, and be
proud to buy Bosse Tools.
3) What product lines are you currently manufacturing, and
what ideas will you be working on in the days ahead?
Although we started
with just one shovel, we realized that ergonomics can apply to all shovels, not
just regular pointed ones. We are ready
to move forward with the production of our entire shovel line which includes
spade shovels, flat head shovels, and snow shovels. The plan is to be an all-encompassing tool
company that manufactures all sorts of long shafted tools – anything from
pitchforks to rakes and brooms.
4) How can consumers find your products?
Shoppers can go to our Kickstarter page or to BosseTools.com.
Best of luck to Steven Walden and his innovative idea!
Stephanie, Webmaster
