By Greg Rollett, Grommet
This article is presented by Grommet, the leading product discovery platform for new and emerging makers, inventors and entrepreneurs. Check out 1,000’s of products you never knew existed, but soon won’t be able to live without here.
In a world full of clutter and chaos, the simplest solutions often spark the biggest breakthroughs. For Michael Despres, that spark came from a frustrating moment—fighting with tangled cords in his office. When a binder clip failed to solve the problem and damaged his wires, Michael saw an opportunity. That’s when the vision for GadgetKlip hit him—a tool that would revolutionize how we organize our lives.
But GadgetKlip didn’t stop at cords. From keeping unruly plants in check to tackling holiday lights and even organizing fishing gear, this small-but-mighty clip has become the Swiss Army knife for anyone craving order in their space. Whether you’re transforming your garden into a serene oasis or your home office into a productivity powerhouse, GadgetKlip is designed to simplify, organize, and withstand the elements.
It’s more than just a product—it’s a movement to bring order to the chaos, and Michael, along with his powerhouse partner and wife Sherryl, is leading the charge with GCK Products. After testing the product in extreme conditions, and with a growing fanbase on platforms like Grommet, GadgetKlip is proving itself as a must-have for anyone ready to take control of their surroundings.
Get ready to be inspired by the story behind GadgetKlip—because when you see a problem as an opportunity, you’re already halfway to success.
What was your life like before you embarked on this entrepreneurial journey?
A lot less busy! Starting a business takes a lot of effort, knowledge, time, patience, fortitude, and perseverance. There’s so much to learn—from engineering to manufacturing, and distribution for both web-based and retail sales. Each retailer’s system is different, and every website operates uniquely. Honestly, I don’t know how anybody starts a business nowadays, it’s so complicated!
Were you always drawn to entrepreneurship, or are you a reluctant entrepreneur?
I always thought it would be great to own my own company, but I hadn’t made it a goal in life. I currently have a full-time day job working for a large financial company, so when GadgetKlip came along, it was one of those products that I just couldn’t pass up developing. It deserved to be in people’s households and businesses! I wasn’t reluctant at all—once we had the prototypes done, I jumped at the opportunity to push this product as hard as we could.
What was the spark of inspiration for this product?
I was using a binder clip to organize my cell phone cord, laptop cord, and tablet cord, but the edge of the clip would pinch the rubberized exterior of the cords, causing them to strip. The binder clip’s straight edge is designed for paper, not cords. I searched for alternatives but couldn’t find anything suitable.
Velcro straps were a pain, and once they got dirty or wet, they were useless. Leather straps didn’t work for my needs either. I even tried bending the original binder clip, but the metal was too strong. Eventually, I sketched a prototype of what I wanted and met with engineers to see what we could create. We settled on using plastic for the body, redesigned the prototype, and shot a 3D print—voila, GadgetKlip was born.
How did you go from idea to action?
By talking to as many people as possible to gain insight. I don’t know everything, and there are many people with more knowledge than me in this arena. In Grand Rapids, MI, where we live, there are many entities that offer free advice to help companies move forward, and I took full advantage of all of them. I’m always willing to ask questions and listen to good input.
What were the first steps you took in turning your idea into a tangible product?
Putting the design on paper! I showed it to my brother for input and then worked with a contact who did CAD work. He was able to put the design into a working computer format. After that, I met with engineers, got their input, and GadgetKlip started to take shape.
Tell us about the challenges you faced during the creation of your first prototype. Were there any significant obstacles or unexpected surprises that shaped the final product?
Money was the biggest challenge. Developing products and testing them constantly is expensive. My first prototypes were made of metal, which turned out to be very costly, and eventually, we realized metal wouldn’t work. The biggest surprise was discovering that plastic could work—specifically, a type of plastic used for industrial springs, which is what the final product is made of.
Share the story of your first sale. How did it feel to see your product finally in the hands of a customer?
We launched in 2019 at the Ace Hardware show in Atlanta, signing on 85 stores. The orders were small because we were a new product, and they wanted to test customer interest. It was a great feeling to get those first sales, but also nerve-wracking as it was a learning experience. Since then, we’ve implemented minimum order sizes.
You have such a cool and unique product. Can you share some of your favorite customer stories using GadgetKlip in unique ways?
One customer uses GadgetKlip to organize water tubes behind a fish tank, which was unexpected but makes sense due to the fragility of the rubber tubes. Another friend uses them on his fishing boat to keep his fishing poles, lures, and equipment neat. Recently, a customer sent me a photo of a large GadgetKlip holding a flashlight on a garage wall. We’ve also seen GadgetKlip used for hanging Christmas lights and bundling outdoor umbrella cords. It’s truly a multi-use clip!
What is something you did from a marketing or sales perspective that gave your business a jolt of success?
Most recently, having our Klips featured on Grommet has been incredibly successful. We had 70 orders in the first week alone! Two friends have taken over our marketing this year and have been instrumental in getting our name out there. I know they are experts in that area, and I’m not afraid to ask for help!
Can you share a time when you faced a significant setback or failure?
Last year, at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, our entire pallet of supplies for our exhibitor’s booth didn’t show up. We spent so much money, time, and energy preparing for that event, only to be left without a booth! My wife Sherryl, who is the majority owner and President of GCK Products, LLC, came up with a creative solution. She took a piece of cardboard, wrote “Ask me where our booth and products are,” and stood at the front like a homeless person. She ended up getting far more attention that way than we would have with a traditional booth!
What did you learn from that experience, and how did it shape your approach to your business?
Never give up, and always find a solution. Challenges will always come up, but they can become opportunities for growth if you’re willing to adapt and keep moving forward.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received from a mentor, coach, or peer?
Keep asking questions, find a niche, and grow it. Once you’ve achieved success in that niche, continue moving forward.
How has it influenced your entrepreneurial journey?
We’ve focused GadgetKlip’s benefits within the gardening sector and are now starting to broaden our marketing to other areas like households, crafting, and outdoor use.
What routines or habits help you be more productive or run your business more effectively?
I use GadgetKlip for everything and promote it to everyone I meet. Recently, our marketing team has implemented beneficial habits like daily social interactions, timely email campaigns, and better customer resale initiatives, which have greatly improved our operations.
Having just won Product of the Week on Grommet, how has Grommet helped you in your journey, and what has your experience been like on the platform?
It’s been amazing! The team at Grommet is incredibly supportive, and this has been our most successful launch to date. The exposure and campaigns have been a game-changer for us. We’re excited to keep growing with their help!
If you could go back and advise your younger self during the early days of your business, what would you tell them to help reach those first 1,000 sales more efficiently?
I would advise being more selective with spending. There were areas where I over-spent, but I couldn’t have known better without going through those experiences.
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