In 2011, navy veteran Dan Eifes conceptualized the Safety Nailer, a tool designed to protect your fingers while hammering nails, during his active duty stint. Despite facing personal health challenges and setbacks, the startup success navy vet, along with long-time friend and business partner Drew Zirkle, managed to launch the product on Kickstarter in 2018. They garnered attention from prominent platforms such as ACE Hardware, Amazon, and Shark Tank. Although a deal with Shark Tank fell through, Eifes and Zirkle remain dedicated, working on new inventions and potentially partnering with Mark Cuban.
Introduction
From INSIDE BUSINESS | By SANDRA J. PENNECKE
Story of the Safety Nailer
In 2011, while on active duty as a naval officer, Eifes created the Safety Nailer, a multi-tool that protects your fingers when hammering nails and provides more control and precision when nailing or starting screws. The idea came to him after he noticed a chisel with a handguard during military safety training.
Challenges and Progress
He drew sketches, made a crude prototype, and filed for a utility patent. In 2014, he received the patent, but by then he was having serious medical trouble. As he battled a variety of ailments, including a heart condition that required surgery, the father of two was medically retired in 2015 and Safety Nailer was put on hold.
Partnership and Growth
In 2017, Drew Zirkle, a fellow civil engineering major and 2009 alumni of Old Dominion University, touched base with his friend and drove from his Virginia Beach home to visit Eifes in Yorktown. He learned about Eifes’ condition and that Safety Nailer was stalled.
Expanding Business and Future Plans
The product launched on Kickstarter in April 2018, and within three months, ACE Hardware, Amazon, and Shark Tank reached out. With both their wives pregnant, they worked late into the night to make the product, but couldn’t keep up with sales, so they bought tooling overseas for injection molding.
In the fall of 2018, a pitch to Start Peninsula landed them in the top three and netted a $5,000 prize package. In March 2019, they contacted “Shark Tank,” the popular ABC business reality show, and were encouraged to apply.
Zirkle landed a deal with three of the Sharks for the Safety Nailer, but it fell through in January 2020 when the investors decided to pass. Zirkle said they are in discussions with Mark Cuban about the Newton’s Spindle.
Teamwork and Future Endeavors
While Dan Eifes continues to battle health issues and the rest of the team works full-time jobs, they continue to invent and help other inventors. The latest is a beach towel that doubles as a tote, set to launch next summer.
Question & Answer
1. How did navy veteran Dan Eifes come up with the idea for the Safety Nailer?
In 2011, while on active duty as a naval officer, Eifes created the Safety Nailer after noticing a chisel with a handguard during military safety training.
2. What challenges did Dan Eifes face while developing the Safety Nailer?
After receiving a utility patent in 2014, Eifes battled serious medical issues, including a heart condition that required surgery, leading to the product being put on hold.
3. Who partnered with Dan Eifes to bring the Safety Nailer to market?
In 2017, Drew Zirkle, a fellow civil engineering major and friend of Eifes, joined forces with him to revive the Safety Nailer project.
4. What notable platforms showed interest in the Safety Nailer after its launch on Kickstarter?
ACE Hardware, Amazon, and Shark Tank reached out to Eifes and Zirkle after the product launched on Kickstarter in 2018.
