By: Unstoppable Branding Agency 

In the dynamic world of entrepreneurship and business leadership, Missy Kelly stands out as a beacon of empowerment and innovation. As the co-founder and CEO of CatTongue Grips, a company that’s revolutionized non-slip products, Missy has navigated the highs and lows of entrepreneurship with unwavering passion and determination. However, her journey isn’t just about creating a successful company; it’s about inspiring and empowering others to unlock their potential and make their own mark on the world. 

Innovation at the Heart: The CatTongue Grips Story

Missy’s entrepreneurial drive was sparked in a cell phone store by an everyday problem. Her husband’s new phone was slippery, and the salesperson didn’t have a solution beyond an insurance premium. He then bought skateboard tape, a sandpaper-like material which Missy vetoed, exclaiming it felt like a cat’s tongue and would scratch every surface in the house. “So he challenged me to find something like it—and I couldn’t. So we decided to make it,” Missy explained. 

After extensive prototypes, Missy and her husband Matt finally landed on the perfect product and launched the company. Customers around the world amazed Missy with their inventive use of their non-abrasive, non-slip waterproof material. Within a few years, CatTongue Grips was providing practical safety solutions to industries as diverse as technology, aerospace, construction, distribution, and soon to be government and military. 

Before long, Paralympic Hall of Famer Chris Waddell ignited a sense of purpose for Missy and the company. After demonstrating how their anti-slip laptop grips prevented wheelchair users from damaging their devices due to drop accidents, Chris opened Missy’s eyes to possibilities she never could have imagined. Their signature Gription® tape helped wheelchair users secure their feet to the footplates on their chairs, and assisted those who struggled to feed themselves due to slippery flatware regain their independence. “It became about so much more than grip tape,” said Missy. “I felt connected to my ability to be the source of impact and change.” From the company’s inception to its current status as a global leader, Missy has steered the ship with a unique blend of creativity, tenacity, and, perhaps importantly, a deep belief in empowering others.

Entrepreneurial Leadership and Empowerment

A cornerstone of Missy’s success is her commitment to supporting fellow entrepreneurs, particularly women, in their journeys. 

Her philosophy centers around compassion, intuition, self-trust, and an unwavering belief in the limitless potential of those she guides. She’s driven by the pursuit of equal opportunity and changing the status quo. “When I learned that less than 3% of female-owned businesses hit the 7-figure mark, I knew I wanted to pave the way for change,” Missy shared.  

She believes leadership is not a title or position, but the ability to empower others to be the best they can be. Talking with Missy, her tenacity and resilience is felt immediately. She has a contagious inner force that immediately resonates and inspires. She approaches her work with a clarity of vision that not only drives her business forward but serves as a lighthouse for those navigating the sometimes-turbulent waters of entrepreneurship. Missy’s journey is a testament to the idea that with the right mindset and support, any obstacle can be overcome and any goal achieved—without compromising your values. 

Celebrating Leadership Beyond Business

Her achievements underscore her impact not only in the realm of business but also for her community. Through her roles with organizations like the Pinnacle Global Network and WBENC, she has dedicated countless hours to mentoring and leading mastermind sessions designed to help business owners scale their operations and realize their visions. Furthermore, she received the Women of Excellence Changemaker Award by Diversity Professional Magazine, which honors women who operate at the highest level of excellence in the domains of business, community, and leadership. It’s her conviction that leadership is the ability to inspire and lift others towards their own greatness.

Embracing Discomfort: The Key to Unlocking Potential

Missy credits her success to the belief that true growth and limitless possibilities lie beyond the boundaries of comfort. “Get comfortable being uncomfortable” isn’t just a mantra for Missy; it’s a daily practice and a foundational principle of her approach to life and business. By deliberately seeking out experiences that push her out of her comfort zone, Missy has honed her ability to trust herself and tap into her intuition, unlocking opportunities and insights that would otherwise remain hidden. It’s this consistent push beyond the familiar that has enabled her to navigate the unpredictable waters of entrepreneurship and family life with resilience and agility. Her philosophy invites not just entrepreneurs but all individuals to recalibrate their relationship with discomfort, viewing it not as a barrier but as a gateway to personal and professional evolution.

Living a Life of Passion and Purpose

Missy’s personal story – from the initial spark of an idea for CatTongue Grips to becoming a celebrated leader and mentor – is full of lessons on what it means to live a life of passion and purpose. “My Dad once said to me, ‘Missy, the reality is  people don’t live to work—they work to live.’ And I proved him wrong. I love my work because my potential to impact the world is limitless.” She lives by a motto that encapsulates her approach to life and work: “Live life, love hard, and do epic sh*t.” This philosophy reflects her determination to not only achieve her dreams but to lead others to be courageous enough to pursue theirs. 

When asked how she balances work and family, Missy is steadfast in the need to prioritize her own well-being. “When I put myself first, I have an overflow of energy to give to others,” she shared. She doesn’t waste time endlessly pursuing an ideal of balance that doesn’t exist. “Sometimes you give more to your business, and sometimes you give more to your family, and that’s OK.” Opening up about the time her husband and daughter had back-to-back knee surgery, she continued, “my family needed me, and it was still a major growth year in our business.” Missy believes that trusting herself and her team is pivotal in achieving success regardless of circumstance. 

A resident of Park City, Utah, Missy finds inspiration in nature, and in spending time with her family and two dogs. Her entrepreneurial journey is a blueprint for aspiring business owners and leaders. As she continues to innovate and inspire, Missy’s unyielding spirit and uncompromising tenacity is evidence that with the right mix of determination, support, and self-belief, anything is possible in entrepreneurship and beyond.

Published by: Martin De Juan