From Classroom Idea to National Retail Shelves: The Story
of Goblies and Its Founder, Briana Gardell
When Briana Gardell first dreamed up the idea for
Goblies—those colorful, squishy, throwable paintballs—it wasn’t part of a grand
business plan. It started as a simple graduate school assignment. “I was in the
technical entrepreneurship master’s program, and they gave us creativity‑sparking
homework. One assignment was to take a manufacturing technique and do something
with it. So, I used the technique to make balloons,” Briana shared.
That small spark quickly grew into something much bigger.
Using a seaweed‑based membrane and a washable, gooey filling, Briana created
what would become Goblies—paintballs you can throw by hand, no launcher
required.
Building Goblies, One Prototype at a Time
Turning that idea into a real product took grit. Briana went
through 26 prototypes, experimenting with ingredients and materials right in
her home kitchen. She started by selling DIY science kits that let customers
make their own paintballs.
“I launched a Kickstarter and sold $9,000 worth of products.
It felt like a lot at the time,” she said. But as interest grew, so did the
need for resources to scale.
Enter Rising Tide
As larger retailers began reaching out, Briana knew she
needed support to take the next step. A coworking space connection pointed her
to Rising Tide.
“I applied. It was a very involved process, but it was the
perfect moment in my business to get that $15,000 loan and use it,” she
explained.
The loan didn’t just provide capital—it gave her
credibility. “The year after I received the loan, I was in Michaels stores.
Rising Tide understood where my business was but also saw where it could be.”
Growing a National Brand
Today, Goblies has grown far beyond its early days. The
product is now available at major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Target,
and Michaels. Briana runs Mezzimatic full‑time alongside her sister, who has
been part of the business for several years, plus one additional employee.
Looking back, Briana emphasizes how crucial community‑based
support is for entrepreneurs. “People don’t really know what goes into the
initial stages of a business. If there aren’t organizations like Rising Tide,
people without family money or assets would have a much harder time getting
started. It allows people to take that extra step forward in a way that’s
supported by the community.”
A Creative Idea Turned Thriving Business
Thanks to Briana’s determination—and the support she
received along the way—Goblies has become a beloved product for families and
kids everywhere. Her journey is a powerful reminder of what can happen when
creativity meets perseverance, and when community organizations step in to help
entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.
