How Childhood Memories and Big Risks Built a Toy of the Year with Kevin and Laurie Lane

Bold Moves, Confident Choices

How far would you go to build your dream?

For Kevin and Laurie Lane, it started with a childhood love for castles—and a $60,000 leap of faith. In this episode, we uncover the story behind Create A Castle, the viral beach toy that turned heads on Shark Tank and beyond.

From a split mold inspired by wedding cake pans to showcasing their product live on national TV, Kevin and Laurie share what it’s really like to take a bold risk, build a business from scratch, and stay married through it all. Their journey is proof that big dreams and even bigger determination can truly pay off.

We also dive into the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the power of faith and family, and the importance of holding onto your network. Whether you're building sandcastles or businesses, this story will remind you to keep dreaming—and keep going.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• The Shark Tank pitch that involved hauling in 2 tons of sand
• How a childhood drawing and bakery background sparked a multimillion-dollar idea
• The bold $60,000 investment that launched their product
• Turning a national TV segment into 500 unexpected orders
• Why keeping old connections was key to their startup success
• Their advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: start small, stay curious, never burn bridges
• Emotional insights on resilience, grief, and gratitude from both Kevin and Laurie

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• “We all have peaks and valleys in life—how we rise from the valleys defines us.” - Courtney Turich
• “Your story proves that bold choices aren’t just about business—they’re about belief.” - Courtney Turich
• “The people who come into our lives, they come in for a reason.” - Courtney Turich
• “What you were doing as a child might just be shaping your purpose today.” - Courtney Turich
• “I love that you keep saying—dream big—because we don’t do it enough.” - Courtney Turich
• “Faith is taking the last step when you can’t see the bottom of the staircase.” – Laurie Lane
• “The fastest way to validate your idea is to get it in front of real people.” – Kevin Lane
• “We’re just two people with a dream and the guts to go for it.” – Laurie Lane
• “Don’t ever stop dreaming big.” – Kevin Lane
• “You never know which connection could come back to change your life.” – Laurie Lane

About Laurie & Kevin

Kevin and Laurie Lane are the co-founders of Create A Castle, an award-winning line of sand and snow castle-building toys featured on Shark Tank. Blending creativity with convenience, they developed innovative molds that make it easy for families to build elaborate castles without the usual hassle. Their products have won multiple awards, including 2020 Outdoor Toy of the Year, and are sold in stores worldwide. With patented designs and over $3 million in sales in 2022 alone, the Lanes continue to make a global impact in the toy industry.

Follow Laurie & Kevin Lane

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Stay Connected with Courtney Turich:

• Website
• Instagram
• Linkedin
• Facebook

A Team Dklutr Production

Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Meet Kevin and Laurie Lane: The Creators of Create a Castle (00:00:47)

3. The Shark Tank Experience: Bringing the Beach to the Sharks (00:01:28)

4. The Journey to Shark Tank: Preparation and Challenges (00:04:10)

5. Kevin's Backstory: From Bakery to Sandcastles (00:07:18)

6. Leveraging Expert Marketing Advice (00:12:48)

7. The Big Risk: Investing in the Dream (00:13:14)

8. The Breakthrough Moment: National Publicity (00:16:24)

9. Building a Business: Key Strategies and Tips (00:19:36)

10. Reflecting on the Journey: Advice to Our Younger Selves (00:23:34)