As a contractor and gardener of more than three decades, Jim Fabregas has lost a few tools in his day. Whether it’s dropping a lopper in the garbage, or leaving a tool in the bush, keeping track of supplies can be a real hassle. So about six years ago, Fabregas began fashioning an attachable tool case out of wood and plastic, drilling holes for various pieces of equipment, including cup holders for beer and a cell phone. It began as just a personal organizer, but soon neighbors saw it and wanted their own.

“It was something no one had yet,” said Fabregas. “I like to go out there and play on Saturdays and I was always losing things.”

It wasn’t long before retailers were showing interest in the product. So Fabregas, who had never invented anything before, sought a couple patents, and enlisted local companies to produce it. Approximately one year later, the white, half wood, half plastic carrier had been turned all plastic, with six different colors and a couple attachments, and the Garden and Tool Caddy was born.

“We’ve always had a great response; it’s just that we’d never had the time to put enough effort into it,” said Chris Fabregas, Jim’s son.

The family traveled around to trade shows, and sold the product online for approximately $20-$25 a piece for several years, before getting a big break. The caddy was picked up by ABC World News over the holiday season as a Made in America gift. More than 5,000 new orders came in, almost overnight, representing more units than the family sold since the product was invented.

Now, Chris Fabregas said, many of the distributors who originally passed up the product are giving it a second look. And, as spring rolls around, the family is expecting at least a few of those 5,000 customers to buy one for a friend.

Part of the appeal comes from the universal utility. It has rounded and straight edges so it can attach to wheel barrows or yard waste bins. An attachment for a strap allows the product to be slung over the shoulder while on the move. Brackets are included as well, so the caddy can be screwed into the wall.

Jim Fabregas’ use of the product is a testament to his versatility. Upon entering his lush backyard, Garden and Tool Caddies can be immediately spotted attached to bins and barrows, along with several screwed into walls. One holds his barbecue instruments up on the deck, and a couple more line the walls of a nearby tool shed.

Much of the production remains at home. The family uses packaging and plastic companies to make the caddies, though many of the finished products live in the family garage. Thousands of units sit in boxes ready to be shipped.

While the caddy has been a big success for the Fabregas family, it carried tremendous risk. Jim said he has sunk more than $95,000 into the project, with the production he described as “the size of a small engine,” costing a hefty $55,000.

“It’s a huge investment and risk,” Chris Fabregas said. “But we really believed in it, and so many people said it was such a good idea. We made so many for friends and neighbors that we figured everyone else would want one.”