Going on an outdoor adventure is a blast until it’s time to set up the fire. Josh Thurmond invented the LavaBox, a portable campfire that takes these worries away. It’s made of ammo boxes, so you can be sure it’s sturdy. They pitched their product on Shark Tank and got a deal with Lori Greiner. As of 2024, LavaBox is worth an estimated $2 million.
Josh Thurmond’s Background
Josh Thurmond hails from Denver, Colorado. Thurmond has a bachelor’s degree in history from MSU Denver and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.
He started out as a program administrator at the District Attorney’s Office. After that, he held senior positions at companies including the National Sports Center for the Disabled, Adam’s Camp, and Handbid.
Founding LavaBox
Thurmond enjoys going on kayaking trips with friends. While touring the Rocky Mountains, one of his mates joked about putting a fire pit at the back of a raft. While everyone laughed, it sparked an idea in Josh’s mind.
Josh thought of ammo cans, which are common among raft guides because of their rugged material. When he got home, Thurmond connected a propane gas lead to an ammo box, which was strong enough to hold fire inside.
LavaBox was born and the portable campfire was founded during the forest fire season in 2020. It was the perfect time to release the product and it didn’t take long for Josh to file a patent.
Getting on Shark Tank
When the statewide wildfire ban was implemented in Colorado, LavaBox instantly became a hit because it’s compliant. People loved the product, and it went viral among campers on social media.
In a matter of months, the portable fireplace was leaving competitors in the dust. It wasn’t only outdoor gear but a tool for tackling climate change. Two years after launching, Lavabox sold over 4,000 units and had $1.2 million sales before Shark Tank. Multiple Sharks wanted a deal but Lori won the battle.
After Shark Tank
A day after the episode aired, the business sold 260 units! Normally it takes them a month to sell this many units. According to the DenverPost.com, the deal with Lori never closed as Josh changed his mind. The episode aired a year after it was filmed and most likely felt he didn’t need her help.
In 2022, Lavabox made $1 million and was on track to make $2 million in 2023. Thurmond is happy with the growth but only wants to bring on an investor if it makes sense. The business was created to stop wildfires and may not scale.
You can purchase any of their transportable campfire models at several sports and camping outlets such as Volcano eCigs, 4Corners Riversports, Liberty Mountain Distribution, and their website, FireAnytime.com. Prices range from $199 to $349 and many of their designs have 5-star ratings on their site.
