Griffin Toren’s Custom Pickleball Paddles: Griffin Toren, a 22-year-old recent University of Miami graduate, is making waves with his company Killa Dinks, which sells custom-designed pickleball paddles. Starting the business as a sophomore, Toren now partners with big brands like Hard Rock International, Miami Marlins, Chick-fil-A, and OnlyFans, offering affordable and unique paddles aimed at younger players.
From Discovery to Business
Toren first tried pickleball at 17, after his grandmother gave him a paddle. He thought the sport was for older people, but soon found it fun. He noticed the paddles available were plain and did not appeal to younger players. Majoring in Entrepreneurship with minors in Finance and Business Law at the University of Miami, Toren decided to start a company that filled this gap.
“I thought it was an old person’s sport. But then I discovered that it was kind of fun, but the paddles were all generic.” – (toren)
“There was nothing that catered to young people.” – (toren)
Initially, he sold his own brand but found it tough to compete with big stores. So, he shifted to making custom paddles for companies. “So, I pivoted to custom paddles created specifically for companies,” Toren said. This move proved successful, and his paddles are now sold in Hard Rock gift shops nationwide.
“Our paddles are in their gift shops all around the country.” – (toren)
Business Growth and Community Impact
Toren’s girlfriend, Lainey Green, serves as the marketing director for Killa Dinks. Together, they secured deals with several well-known companies. Beyond big names, Toren also creates paddles for smaller groups, such as a lawyer’s office and a dentist in Arizona who gives paddles to patients. The paddles cost about $30 each when bought in bulk, with a minimum order of 25.
“I wanted to create an affordable and fun brand where people didn’t have to spend $300 per paddle. Our paddles are high quality, especially for a promotional product. It’s a fiberglass paddle with a gritty surface.” – (toren)
“Companies want to show they are hip and that they know that this sport is trending. It’s an awesome way to become a part of pickleball’s popularity.” – (toren)
His paddles are made from fiberglass and have a textured surface, making them good quality for promotional use. University of Miami professor Amy Agramonte helped Toren grow personally and professionally.
“I try to get to know all my students, and I asked Griffin to tell me about himself. He said he had a pickleball company, but he said it under his breath.” – (Agramonte)
“I said, ‘You know we’re here for marketing and entrepreneurship, right? Tell us more.” – (Agramonte)
Toren admitted he was shy at first but credits Agramonte for helping him become a confident entrepreneur.
“But she pulled it out of me.” – (toren)
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Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Toren also mentors students at Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School and has spoken to beginner entrepreneurs at the University of Miami. Many students have asked about internships and sales jobs with Killa Dinks. Last December, Toren worked with Miami artist Vic Garcia on a toy drive, where Garcia painted paddles and gave them to donors.
“Vic is an awesome artist. He sat there for six hours and painted on paddles.” – (toren)
Toren hopes to play more pickleball now that he has graduated. He enjoys how the sport brings people together.
“You can go to a park and see a grandma playing with a jacked guy from the gym. There’s no other sport like that.” – (toren)
News in Brief: Griffin Toren’s Custom Pickleball Paddles
Griffin Toren, University of Miami graduate, runs Killa Dinks, a company making custom pickleball paddles. His paddles are sold at major brands like Hard Rock and Miami Marlins. Toren credits professor Amy Agramonte for helping him grow and now mentors young entrepreneurs while giving back to the community.
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