Inventor: Randy Fenton

The popular saying, “The sky is the limit” seems all too true when speaking of inventor and entrepreneur, Randy Fenton. A pioneer in online technology, Fenton’s work over the past twenty years has helped change the way we view the Internet. Having worked with some of the largest cutting edge technology companies and founding a slew of his own, Fenton has become a prominent figure in the world of high-techs.  Now with his newest creations, SurfShelf and In-Gym Media, Fenton is making his mark in the fitness industry and paving the way to a new, improved, and albeit “high-tech”, workout experience.

After graduating from UCLA in 1987 with a BS in Electrical Engineering, Fenton began his career working for a satellite communications company.  Twelve years later, he moved on to work as a worldwide High-Tech consultant for the electronics industry. With an early career focused on different types of technology, including electronics and the Internet, it was no surprise when Fenton launched his own tech company in 1994. Network Media, the first of many companies for Fenton, provided web design and hosting services to a whole portfolio of small to mid-sized businesses in Los Angeles. Four years later, Fenton founded his second company, DareToPlay, an interactive entertainment software and technology company, which launched in 1998. Using DareToPlay technology (www.daretoplay.com), Fenton wrote, directed and produced “Operation: Siren”, an online movie which premiered at the 2003 Sundance Online Film Festival as the world’s first interactive movie of its kind.

Even with an impressive amount of work on his plate, Fenton still found the time to workout on his office treadmill everyday. But without a television or any source of entertainment within reach, this fitness enthusiast’s workouts became old and boring. In an attempt to save his workouts, Fenton retired to his garage workshop one night and came out holding a homemade plywood shelf for his laptop. The next day, he attached his new invention to the treadmill and has spent his workouts surfing the web and watching online TV ever since. Realizing others could benefit from his homemade design, the idea for Fenton’s third and fourth business endeavors began to form. Then in 2007, inspired by his love of surfing and the simple yet functional design of a surfboard, SurfShelf was born, followed quickly by In-Gym Media.

Resembling the nose of a surfboard, the SurfShelf is a lightweight, portable, polycarbonate tray that attaches to any exercise machine, allowing anyone to use their laptop while exercising. Ideal for multi-tasking fitness enthusiasts, the SurfShelf allows the exerciser to stay connected while burning calories. And when it comes to online entertainment for your workout, In-Gym Media makes it easy and virtually hands free. Providing easy access to a wide variety of daily video reels from the most popular sports, news, entertainment, lifestyle and online TV websites, with In-Gym Media and SurfShelf, Fenton has literally placed the world at your fingertips to enjoy while you sweat. Revolutionizing the fitness industry, Fenton’s latest business endeavors are positioned to be the leading provider of Internet technologies and content for the new ‘online exerciser’ consumer market. 

Inventor: Sherri-Lee Pressman

I am a stay at home, home schooling mom of two. I have a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation which I used before marriage to work with seniors in nursing facilities. I have worked in management in many large restaurant chains and have extensive business experience from these jobs.