Leslie Haywood - Grill Charms
Grill Charms
A bright idea that has turned
itself into a business.
'Necessity' - the mother of invention
I invented Grill Charms™. The concept is similar to wine charms, but for your food. Grill Charms™ are the size of a dime with a decorative head and a stem that is textured so as not to fall out of the food while grilling. They are made of food grade solid stainless steel, and sit flush on the food so they do not interfere with the grill when being moved or flipped. Food is Grill Charmed prior to cooking so when it comes off the grill perfectly charred and plated for guests, everyone knows which one is theirs. They simply look for their unique individual Grill Charm™. No more cutting into 5 steaks to try to find the rare one. No more having all mild barbecue chicken because only a few people like it spicy.
Have a food allergy or health concern? “Grill Charm-it” to avoid problems.
The whole crazy process started one sultry April night in 2006, my husband was grilling some fantastic boneless chicken breasts for my friends and I. The flavor of the evening was Jerk, which we all love. Some people happen to like their chicken “jerkier” than others. IE, more rub equals more spice and heat. Some of us like ours on the milder side. Once all the chicken came off the grill, arranged on a serving plate, brought upstairs and served to our guests, my husband couldn’t tell which chicken was spicy. Wouldn’t you know it… me being a “mild” person; I bit right into the hottest one of all! He said “I wish there was a way to tell which chicken is which” and immediately I knew we had something. This was the light bulb moment. In my mind I started the company that night, but according to that State of SC, I didn’t start my company until November 2006
I really had no idea where to start or how I was going to do it, but that night I started scribbling drawings of a prototype on a note pad and thought to myself “this could be as big as the wine charm.” Everyone I know has wine charms. You can’t get away from them! Funny enough my initial goal and Vision Statement still to this day, is “To see Grill Charms™ become as popular and as common in the American home as the “wine charm”.
So, who am I and what makes me qualified to undertake and succeed at such a monumental task? Well, the short answer is: nobody told me that I couldn't! (And even if they did, I wouldn't listen anyway.) I worked for corporate America until I had our first daughter and left a fantastic company and wonderful career to be a stay-at-home mom. I didn't mean to throw myself head first back into business, but I just couldn't help myself.
In June 2006, right the middle of all the start-up stuff involved with launching a company, at the ripe ol’ age of 34, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two months later I had a bilateral mastectomy in August of 2006 and now, two reconstructive procedures later, I'm better then ever! I can’t say it came as a complete surprise as my mother was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer when she was in her 30’s. She is now almost 20 years cancer free my biggest fan. The scars never let me forget so I feel I must mention it, but it by no means defines who I am; it's just another facet to the ever complex and changing person that is first and foremost 'Mommy'.
Leslie Haywood
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
