About
Randall and Shondah’s Ah-Ha! Moment
As fourth-generation ranchers on their family ranch in Oshoto, Wyoming, Randall and Shondah Otwell spent years seeking an effective, affordable method to manage winter ice in their stock tanks. In 2022, on a particularly bitter morning, they discovered that their gradually refined and tested solution was indeed effective. This realization marked the beginning of their journey to bring the product to market, offering others the opportunity to benefit from their innovative solution.
Patent Pending
About Randall & Shondah
Randall, a Louisiana native, enlisted in the Army straight out of high school. After serving his country, he yearned for a change of scenery and found himself in Wyoming, immersing himself in the rugged western lifestyle. It was there, in a remote community far from the city lights, that he crossed paths with Shondah. Their love story unfolded over the first two decades of marriage, during which they resided near Shondah’s family ranch. Raising their children and sharing a passion for agriculture, they also pursued full-time careers.
Randall’s expertise spanned multiple sectors of the electrical trade—he is a Master Electrician, Journeyman Lineman, and Substation Electrician. Meanwhile, Shondah channeled her energies into building businesses that supported corporate computer networks. Little did they know that their diverse skills were preparing them for a pivotal moment.
In 2010, after Shondah’s father passed away, they returned to Oshoto, becoming the fourth generation to steward the family ranch. Oshoto’s winters can be brutal, and summers can be hot and dry. Livestock care hinged on reliable drinking water year-round. Randall faced the challenge of frozen stock tanks and inefficient electric heaters. Determined, he began designing a solution—a device to keep water circulating at the tank’s surface.
Prototypes came and went, each teaching valuable lessons. Some froze solid, others moved insufficient water, and some clogged with debris. But Randall persisted, driven by the extreme Wyoming winters. Then, on a frigid February morning in 2022, at -22°F, they witnessed a breakthrough. While both a traditional tank heater and their Water Rippler sat in separate stock tanks, the latter defied the cold. Bubbling water danced beneath the ice, while the heater’s tank remained frozen solid.
Realizing they had something special, they embarked on the journey to turn their prototype into a manufacturable product. Patent applications, engineering consultations, 3D prototyping—the process was deliberate, with rigorous testing at every step. Their backgrounds in electrical work and business uniquely positioned them to bring the Water Rippler to others who needed it.
As stewards of the land and animals, they hope each Water Rippler user will feel the thoughtful design and practicality behind their creation.
