‘Shark Tank’ Inventor Teams Up With Fellow MSU Alum To Teach Kids

MONTCLAIR, NJ — When Harold Abraham saw Tog Samphel appear on the hit television show, “Shark Tank,” he knew the entrepreneur had hit on something special with his new product. But when Abraham – an elementary principal at Norwood Elementary School – learned he was looking at a fellow Montclair State University alum, he knew that he had to reach out and invite the inventor of “Anytongs” to speak with his students.

Abraham, who is also an adjunct professor at Montclair State University (MSU), said he was “impressed and inspired” after learning about Samphel’s gadget, a plastic handle that turns any two utensils into a set of tongs.

He was equally as impressed with his fellow Red Hawk’s entrepreneurial spirit. Read More: Montclair State University Alum Lands 'Shark Tank' Appearance

After trading a few messages on LinkedIn, the two met up and planned a visit to Abraham’s elementary school. Their goal? To expose some eager students to the world of financial literacy and STEM-based product design.

After learning about Samphel’s journey into the business world, the students took part in a hands-on exercise, dividing into groups based on their interests: sports, fashion, transportation, everyday living, art. Then they hit the drawing board and came up with their own ideas, using Samphel’s story as inspiration.

“We wanted our students to know that you don’t have to be an adult or a scientist to become an inventor,” Abraham said. “Tog’s journey was a perfect way to communicate this. His story is one of ups and downs and great persistence.”

“In the end, his grit helped him to be the successful entrepreneur that he is today,” Abraham added.

Samphel also got a chance to speak to the students directly, discussing the origin of Anytongs – which he says was inspired by his mother. The road to success wasn’t easy, he said, and it included people who told him that his invention was unnecessary and overpriced. But others said it was well-needed and original, and their belief in his product helped give him the confidence to land his appearance on “Shark Tank.”

The inventor also walked away with some inspiration of his own, getting a chance to check out the students’ own pitches, which included a robotic referee, an adjustable sneaker and a “safe haven” for animals during forest fires.

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