MoCo Native’s LavaBox Impresses Judges on Shark Tank

Josh Thurmond, a 1994 graduate of Quince Orchard High School and Gaithersburg native, is the inventor of LavaBox Portable Campfire– a new style of portable fire pit that’s built in a military-style ammunition can and was “created to combat climate change and reduce wildfires.” LavaBox has made waves, or fires, since its inception in late 2020, and LavaBox joined fellow Montgomery County businesses that have made it into the tank in recent months (Collars & Co. was featured in November, OoogieBear was featured in September, and ShredSkinz was featured in December) when Thurmond brought LavaBox into the tank on Friday, March 31st at 8pm.

Thurmond was looking for $200,000 for 10% equity in his company. He shared that the Lavabox comes in three sizes, with the most popular being the smaller version which retails for $195 (and costs just over $25 per unit to produce).  The larger varieties cost more to produce, but also come with a higher price range. He expects to reach over $1 million in gross revenue sales by the end of this year- numbers that impressed all the sharks. Thurmond explained that most sales come directly from word of mouth, and that he wants tp get into big box stores. Mr. Wonderful Kevin O’Leary was impressed enough to offer the $200,000 for 10% equity that he was looking for. Daymond John made an offer, wanting 20% equity, but was more interested in licensing the LavaBox instead. Lori Greiner then jumped in with an offer of $200,000 for 12.5% equity, but also wants a royalty of .75 cents per unit sold until she gets $200,000 back. Her 12.5% equity would remain the entire time if the deal is accepted. considers his options and chooses to accept Lori’s offer. After considering all offers, Thurmond went with Lori Grenier’s offer.

Thurmond wrote the following in response to the LavaBox appearance on SharkTank: “It was only two and a half years ago that I launched LavaBox without knowing what would happen. I had no idea we would change the fire pit industry, spawning infinite copies from both large companies and the home builders inspired by our products. I’m honored by the imitation. You guys keep me on my toes! However, I want to promise something to everyone who jumped in and made LavaBox what it is today: we will keep innovating. Just because we started this thing, doesn’t mean we are going to sit back and let progress pass us by. I am never satisfied. We live by these three core tenants at LavaBox:

Innovate

Solve Problems

Keep Going

Everyone at LavaBox sees (and lives) these words every day. Shark Tank is a critical means to continue this mission. For those of you who think that we will change the way we do business or our core mission post Shark Tank, please be assured that we won’t. That’s just not how we operate. We are so proud to be part of the Shark Tank family and so thankful for the opportunity. All that said, we are most thankful for you. All of the early adopters. All the retailers who saw the vision. All of the organizations and trade shows who gave us a shot. All of the amazing creators who did reviews for us. Everyone who told their friends about us. Everyone who proudly displays our stickers and shirts. Thank you! I love you and we wouldn’t have made it this far without you. The world is changing and you are helping us change it in a way that makes life worth living. As the threat of wildfires looms and impacts our world, every LavaBox sold helps us all innovate, solve problems, and keeps us going. Thank you. -Josh (Head Trash Panda)”