From easter eggs to millions: how a glue gun & friendship forged a toy empire
What started as a playful distraction during a pastel-egg dyeing session has blossomed into an $8 million toy company, proving that sometimes the best ideas are born from the simplest moments. Scott Houdashell and Curtis McGill, the founders of Hey Buddy Hey Pal, never envisioned their impromptu invention would disrupt the toy market – or fundamentally alter their lives.
The accidental spark: boredom and a dash of ingenuity
The story, as Houdashell recounts, began innocently enough at McGill’s house in 2015. While his friend’s children grew restless with the slow process of coloring hard-boiled eggs, Houdashell, a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in insurance, saw an opportunity. Armed with a glue gun, a drill, and some markers – tools readily available in any workshop – he swiftly fashioned a rudimentary egg-spinning device. The result? Instant engagement. “They were mesmerized,” Houdashell recalls. “They couldn’t wait for their turn.” That night, driving home, the realization struck: this was more than just a clever diversion; it was a potential business.
McGill, a commodities trader, didn't dismiss the idea as fanciful. Instead, he invested, initially providing $150,000—funds borrowed from his children’s college savings with a generous 10% interest rate. While McGill navigated the financial complexities, Houdashell dedicated himself to prototyping, a process that involved “a lot of broken eggs,” he admits with a chuckle. The pre-existing, deeply rooted friendship, forged over years of musical collaboration, provided a bedrock of trust, essential when venturing into uncharted territory.
Viral video, explosive growth, and a 'shark tank' triumph
The turning point arrived in March 2017 when a shipment of 10,000 Eggmazing egg decorators landed in Houdashell’s insurance company warehouse. A chaotic scene ensued as they frantically stacked boxes, clearing a path only to their offices. With Easter fast approaching, the challenge was clear: how to sell a novel toy. Local toy stores initially embraced the Eggmazing, and a subsequent viral video propelled the product into the national spotlight. Houdashell wryly notes, “You have to be careful what you wish for and pray for.” Within 23 days, all 10,000 units were sold, catapulting them into the toy industry.
The momentum continued, culminating in a coveted appearance on