Trevor James Tooke – Inventor & Founder
A Safer Future Through Smarter Systems
LayerLock LLC grew out of a question that weighed on founder Trevor James Tooke throughout his school years: what if an attack happened here? Determined to create a safer future, he set out to design a system that allows buildings to respond instantly in an emergency without compromising everyday security.
LayerLock develops intelligent firearm storage systems that remain locked during normal use but unlock only in genuine emergencies, reducing the risks and concerns that come with accessible firearms inside buildings.
Q&A with Trevor James Tooke
Tell us a little about your company. What inspired you to start this work/business?
LayerLock was started around an idea for a system I had that has the potential and capability to save lives during active shooter situations. Like many others, during my K–12 experience the “what if” was always in the back of my mind, what if my school was attacked? So I set out to design a system that would allow buildings to respond to threats immediately without compromising day to day safety. LayerLock engineers intelligent firearm storage systems that only allow access in true genuine emergencies, eliminating all the uncertainties and concerns that can come with having accessible firearms inside a building.
What milestones are you currently focused on?
Currently, I am strategically partnering with global leaders in access control in order to be able to offer buildings the highest level of this system possible.
What has your experience been like as an INSPYRE client so far?
My experience has been great. As a solo founder sometimes it can be tough so having supportive like minded individuals at INSPYRE to bounce stuff off of and talk shop with has been invaluable.
What are you most looking forward to about having access to the new INSPYRE headquarters when it opens this fall?
Like everyone else, I am excited to have access to this state of the art building that is filled with great resources and great people. Being surrounded by driven entrepreneurs rubs off on me and pushes me to do more.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to another founder who is just starting?
I would first say congratulations for taking action and doing it and not just talking about it. It is so easy to get caught up in just getting that job, showing up every day and climbing up the corporate ladder, which by the way there is nothing wrong with. But just to make the jump alone is an accomplishment. My advice would be to remember that it is never going to be easy, a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, so all those roadblocks and hiccups that you are going to encounter are a part of the journey and they are the “waves” in the sea that are molding you into an experienced “sailor.” Be nice to people, leave good impressions and people will want to try and help you where they can.
Learn More
Learn more about LayerLock here.
