Meet the "Making It ... With Lowe's" top entrepreneurs

Maureen Rich Wallace

Staff Writer

Feb 18, 2021

An invention sparked by a life-changing crash. A product that transforms a bag of dirt into a fruitful plan forward. A matriarch’s family recipe passed down through generations of meals. 

Sound like products on Lowe’s shelves? They are now! Lowe’s today unveiled the top entrepreneurs and their products from the home improvement retailer’s first virtual pitch program, Making It…with Lowe’s, hosted by Daymond John, star of ABC's Shark Tank and a New York Times best-selling author.

The program, which invited diverse entrepreneurs to pitch their products, has resulted in Lowe’s evaluating more than 400 new products for sale on Lowes.com or on Lowe’s store shelves.

To watch sizzle reels introducing the top three Making It…with Lowe’s: Season One entrepreneurs behind Handle and Haul, SoilKit and Lola's Fine Hot Sauce, check out www.lowes.com/MakingItWithLowes.

Below, we introduce you to additional top entrepreneurs who can say with pride they are now Making It… with Lowe’s!

Kim Huber, Python Plunger (Grant, Minnesota): Kim and husband Jeff have grown children now, but those early parenting years plunged both into an overflowing toilet scenario every parent can relate to – and led to a splash of creativity. Python Plunger is an innovative solution combining the power of the rotating drain snake with the design familiarity of the household plunger. The global pandemic disrupted their expansion plans, and then they discovered Making It… with Lowe’s. As a woman-owned business, Python Plunger ultimately received a $5,000 Lowe’s Small Business Grant and will be available on Lowes.com and in stores. But the path to Making It almost hit a roadblock. “One of my biggest fears was the presentation, especially to a very large home improvement store such as Lowe’s,” Kim says. “Knowing that I had one chance to present in front of executives felt so intimidating but honestly they were so great and easy to speak with, even laughing with them.” Kim’s advice to other women: “Put aside your fears and trust yourselves and your product.”

Shawn Santos, Grease Hero (Kailua, Hawaii): As a retired contractor and now a property manager, Shawn was forever addressing tenants’ clogged drains. That challenge fueled his invention of Grease Hero, a drain guard made with recycled paper materials designed to fit inside a sink’s drain and absorb used cooking oil for easy disposal. Backed by a persuasive pitch, Shawn received a $5,000 Lowe’s Small Business Grant and Grease Hero is making its way online and in-store soon. “To say Making It… with Lowe’s is huge would be an understatement,” Shawn says. “It provides us a new platform to share the brand. That acknowledgement from such a large company like Lowe’s brings such a feeling of validation that all of the hard work to this point is paying off.” Shawn’s tip for entrepreneurs? “Know your customer. Know who you will be presenting to. Enjoy the process. Learn from mistakes. Celebrate your success.”

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Acknowledgement from such a large company like Lowe’s brings such a feeling of validation that all the hard work

to this point is paying off.

Shawn Santos, Entrepreneur

Harry Ruiz, DryClip (Naples, Florida): Harry works in the multifamily industry as a maintenance director. As he was performing a professional drywall repair several years ago, he began to mull over ideas that could shorten the process and eliminate the need for power tools, backing and screws. He invented the solution with DryClip, the only patented drywall clip that can be adjusted to any drywall thickness. Harry’s advice for entrepreneurs interested in participating in the next season of Making It… with Lowe’s: “Remain calm. Don’t allow your nerves to affect your pitch and presentation. Face unexpected circumstances with positivity. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Take advantage!”

Kerry Mellin, EazyHold Grip Assist (Simi Valley, California): Kerry’s innovation, handy cuffs that can be added to tools and utensils to enable an easier hold for people with grip issues, is a personal one. As she was sweeping out her horse’s barn one day, painful arthritis made finishing the chore nearly impossible. She taped a broom to her hand to eliminate the pain, and later shared that trick with family who also battle arthritis. The idea for EazyHold Grip Assist was born. Kerry says the most rewarding moment came when she realized Lowe’s was interested in a product for people with disabilities. “For my sisters and me, our no. 1 goal has been to bring inclusive products to the mainstream marketplace,” she says. Being invited to sell her product at Lowe’s “is a validation for the 25% of the population with a physical challenge.”

Joelle Mertzel, IncrediBulb (Northridge, California): Joelle created an innovative, everyday product with mass-market appeal that truly solves a problem. IncrediBulb is the world’s only flexible, silicone LED bulb. Safety is paramount, as the soft, flexible bulbs are 100% shatterproof and stay cool to the touch. IncrediBulb is perfect for a child’s bedroom, the garage or tight spaces where light bulbs often get knocked and break (e.g., basement, attic, motorhome). “Having a program like Making It… with Lowe’s, where the buying team was briefed on my product, and ready (and wanted!) to hear my pitch was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.” IncrediBulb is available on Lowes.com and soon will be in Lowe’s stores nationwide.

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For entrepreneurs wondering how they can also say they’re “Making It… with Lowe’s,” Lowe’s today announced Making It… with Lowe’s will return for a second season this fall, encouraging diverse entrepreneurs nationwide to get their pitches ready. Additional details will be shared soon!