CatTongue Grips was not born from a formal business plan. It began with a simple observation, when Missy Kelly’s husband Matt noticed how slippery the back of his phone was and improvised with skateboard grip tape. The fix worked but was abrasive and impractical, and Kelly went looking for something better. When nothing existed, she and Matt decided to build it themselves.

Neither Co-Founder had a background in manufacturing, product development or materials science. What followed was an 18-month process of research, testing and persistence that produced nine prototypes before yielding their patented Gription technology, a non-abrasive material offering strong grip without damaging surfaces. As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Kelly turned that breakthrough into a company that now reaches far beyond its original purpose.

Designed first as a phone grip, the product quickly revealed greater potential as customers began using it on tools, furniture, medical devices, mobility equipment and industrial applications. A pivotal encounter with Paralympian Chris Waddell, who described how the grips transformed his daily life on his wheelchair and in his car, expanded Kelly’s vision beyond consumer convenience toward accessibility and safety.

That vision now spans retail, healthcare, industrial, marine and defense environments. Under Kelly’s leadership, CatTongue Grips has grown from a single-product concept into a multi-industry safety platform, developing additional product lines and establishing manufacturing and distribution partnerships. Her mission is to prevent slipping hazards before they occur, reframing how organizations think about safety.

What distinguishes Kelly is a purpose-driven leadership philosophy rooted in the conviction that business success and human impact are inseparable. That belief led her to create Born for Impact, a leadership and personal development platform helping entrepreneurs cultivate clarity, confidence and purposeful action. Her recognition as a Titan 100 Honoree affirms the reach of that dual commitment.

Kelly’s influence extends across the business community. Within WBEC-West she served as Chair of the Utah Forum for five years and joined the WBENC National Forum, championing women-owned businesses and mentorship. She has become a sought-after voice in entrepreneurship, delivering presentations to audiences ranging from university graduates to global business leaders, including a University of Colorado commencement address.

Her leadership has drawn national recognition, including Diversity Professional magazine’s women of excellence game changer award and a place among She Means Business Magazine’s top 40 women to watch in 2026. Each honor reflects the same throughline, a leader turning everyday challenges into large-scale innovation while inspiring others to realize their own potential.

Over the next five years, Kelly intends to evolve CatTongue Grips into a globally recognized safety technology platform, advancing qualification for shipboard and military applications, deepening healthcare and aging-in-place adoption and expanding a portfolio of sustainable materials.

She frames leadership not as having all the answers but as having the courage to act, the clarity to lead and the conviction to trust the vision. For Kelly, the ultimate goal is simple: to make slipping hazards a problem of the past.

Editorial Note: This profile reflects information submitted by the honoree at the time of their Titan 100 recognition in August 2026. Professional roles and affiliations may have changed since publication.