He Grew an Adult Beverage Drinkware Brand to $1.1M/Month at 23 Years Old

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Who is Dylan Jacob and What Business …

• Backstory: How BruMate Came to Life

• Launching the Business: The Journey from Concept t …

• Current Success and Future Outlook

• Lessons Learned: What Dylan Jacob Has Gained Throu …

Introduction: Who is Dylan Jacob and What Business Did He Start?

Dylan Jacob is the founder of BruMate, also known as "The Dehydration Company." BruMate is a brand that specializes in unique insulated drinkware designed specifically for the adult beverage community. Their flagship products include the patented Hopsulator TRiO, a 3-in-1 insulated beer koozie that fits 16oz cans, works as a pint glass, and includes a freezable adapter for 12oz cans. Additionally, their Uncork’d Wine Glasses, the largest triple-insulated wine glasses in the world, and the Winesulator, which holds a full bottle of wine and maintains its temperature for over 24 hours, have gained significant popularity. BruMate allows customers to enjoy their drinks at the perfect temperature without the need for a cooler or ice, even in glass-free zones.

Looking to the future, BruMate is preparing to release more innovative products like the NOS’R, the world’s first indestructible insulated nosing glass for whiskey, and the Hopsulator Slim and Juggernaut, both designed for different beer can sizes.

Backstory: How BruMate Came to Life

BruMate is Dylan Jacob’s third entrepreneurial venture, but it is the first where he delved into product development and design. He initially started a part supply company for repair shops while in high school, which he eventually sold in 2014 after dropping out of engineering school to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

Jacob was always fascinated by the idea of creating products people needed and loved the thought of seeing others use something he had created. After selling his first business, he started a glass tile company that catered to residential and commercial remodels, which he also sold in 2017. Though successful, Jacob always wanted to focus on product development, and in January 2016, he stumbled upon the idea for BruMate after enduring a series of warm 16oz beers. Unable to find a koozie that worked for his favorite drinks, he began designing his own and soon after, the Hopsulator TRiO was born.

Though Jacob had some experience with sourcing and development from his previous businesses, prototyping and molding were new challenges that required time, patience, and learning.

Launching the Business: The Journey from Concept to Market

Before investing in molds for the Hopsulator TRiO, Jacob wanted to ensure there was a market for his product. He started with a rough sketch, which was turned into a 3D model and printed for initial prototypes. Jacob then pitched the product to local breweries, convincing one of Indiana’s largest breweries to carry it. This initial success gave him the confidence to move forward with full-scale production, but it took an additional 13 prototypes and nearly a year before the final product was ready.

While the Hopsulator sparked the original idea for BruMate, it was not the first product to officially launch. The Winesulator, which had a simpler design, was easier to bring to market. Jacob successfully used targeted Facebook ads to gather interest and pre-orders before the product was even available. By the time inventory arrived in November 2016, BruMate had a list of 7,000 potential customers eagerly awaiting its release.

Jacob took a hands-on approach to the launch, designing the website himself and running Facebook ads to promote the products. Despite early challenges, including failed Kickstarter campaigns and incorrect assumptions about his target audience, he adapted and pivoted. By the end of 2016, BruMate had generated $250,000 in sales.

Current Success and Future Outlook

Today, BruMate is thriving, with over $1.1 million in monthly sales and products available in over 1,000 retailers nationwide. The company is on track to generate $20 million in revenue for the year, with a bottom line of 35-45%, depending on ad spending.

Jacob’s focus on marketing through Facebook and Instagram ads has been crucial to BruMate’s success. His team uses data to target the right audiences, achieving a 3-4x return on ad spend. In addition to social media marketing, BruMate has a successful ambassador program and email list that drives a significant portion of its monthly revenue.

Looking ahead, Jacob plans to scale BruMate’s retail presence, with hopes of reaching $1 million in monthly retail sales by the end of the year. The company continues to innovate with new product designs, while remaining focused on quality manufacturing and customer satisfaction.

Lessons Learned: What Dylan Jacob Has Gained Through His Entrepreneurial Journey

Jacob attributes much of his success to maintaining control over his company and refusing outside investment. While this decision slowed growth at times, particularly when BruMate faced inventory shortages, it allowed him to retain full control over the company’s direction.

BruMate’s growth has not been without challenges. Cash flow and inventory management have been ongoing issues, especially during peak selling periods. However, Jacob views these as "good problems" that indicate strong demand. To overcome these hurdles, he has learned to be adaptable and resourceful, flying in inventory when necessary and ensuring that the company can meet demand without sacrificing product quality.

Jacob’s journey has been filled with lessons in resilience and adaptability, shaping both him as an entrepreneur and the trajectory of BruMate. Every setback, mistake, and challenge has ultimately contributed to the company’s success and continues to inform its growth strategy.

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Cheers,

Matt