One of the most dangerous aspects of working on ladders is when the ladder slips. A solution to that problem? Lock Jaw Ladder Grip.
Lock Jaw Ladder Grip is an award-winning ladder safety device that helps save lives by stopping the ladder from sliding when working on a roof. The product is sold nationally at Bunnings Warehouse and is distributed to 11 countries.
Gail Bray is one half of the Lock Jaw Ladder Grip team and focuses on establishing ongoing opportunities and building new local and international markets.
We caught up with Gail recently to find out more about Lock Jaw Ladder Grips and her journey as a #FemaleFounder.
What inspired you to start your business?
Craig (my spouse and business partner) and his father invented the Lock Jaw Ladder Grip after a ladder nearly fell on a small child. My role is to build the business, which is both challenging and exciting. It has been an incredible journey and extremely rewarding to manufacture a globally unique patented product. I love building the business, meeting our distributors all over the world, and hearing the heartfelt stories from customers that have been saved by Lock Jaw Ladder Grip.
What milestones have you reached?
Lock Jaw Ladder Grip is sold nationally in Bunnings Warehouse, used by the Swedish Fire Brigade, power companies, tradesmen and large insurance companies in the United States (US).
We were the winner of the ‘Best New Tool’ at the 2020 Dallas International Roofing Expo and have been a finalist in many other awards, including the 2021 Workplace Health and Safety Award and the 2021 Queensland Government WorkSafe Awards.
What business achievements are you most proud of to date?
Selling the product nationally via Bunnings Warehouse. Also, expanding globally to 11 countries with distributors in Germany, Sweden, Ireland, US, Canada, Portugal, Greece, Poland, Italy, Australia and New Zealand.
Have you participated in any Advance Queensland programs, or received any support from Advance Queensland to date?
I participate in the excellent programs provided by Advance Queensland, including the ACE Network, ACE Speakers Forum, training courses, Female Founders Program, and ACE and Female Founders mentoring sessions.
We were also extremely grateful to receive an Ignite Ideas Funding grant in 2020.
What’s your advice for other female entrepreneurs and businesses starting out on their entrepreneurship journey?
My advice:
- Think outside the box and try things even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. In business you need to be fearless but not reckless.
- You have strengths but also weaknesses, so build a team that is formidable.
- Think big and go global if you can.
- Know your financials and your numbers!
- Join the fantastic programs provided by Advance Queensland and Trade and Investment Queensland. The support provided at no charge to business owners and entrepreneurs is exceptional. Building a business can be tough and lonely – build a network of people you can bounce ideas off and who will help and be your cheer squad.
