Imagine being 23 years old, and your business is already pulling in over a million dollars in sales each month. That’s the story of Dylan Jacob, the founder of BrüMate, a brand that has carved out a niche in the drinkware industry. It’s a tale of hustling, learning on the go, and making sure every sip stays perfectly chilled. Here’s how Dylan turned a Google search for the perfect beer koozie into a booming business.
From Warm Beers to Winning Sales
Dylan’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t a straight path. In fact, BrüMate was his third venture. He started in high school, selling parts like batteries and LCD screens to tech shops. After selling that business, he dabbled in high-end glass tiles—because who doesn’t want their shower to look fancy? But when that venture was also sold off, Dylan zeroed in on a different problem: warm beer.
It all started in January 2016, when he was frustrated by his 16oz cans getting too warm, too quickly. He figured there had to be a solution, but a deep dive into the internet yielded nothing. So, he did what any self-respecting entrepreneur would do—he decided to create his own. Enter the Hopsulator TRiO, a 3-in-1 insulated koozie that keeps beers cold until the very last drop.
Thanks to his previous businesses, Dylan knew a thing or two about sourcing, but product design and prototyping? That was uncharted territory. He sketched out his idea, brought it to an engineer, and had a 3D model made. With a little help from a 3D printing lab, he created a rough prototype. His first test market? Local breweries in Indiana. One big brewery agreed to carry it, and with about $3,000 and 100 prototypes, BrüMate’s journey officially began.
Building and Launching BrüMate: From Koozies to Wine Coolers
The Hopsulator might have sparked the idea, but it wasn’t the first product to hit the market. That honor went to the Winesulator—a triple-insulated wine bottle that keeps your rosé chilled for 24 hours and lets you enjoy wine in places where glass is a no-go. Dylan knew this product was a low-risk bet, so he jumped right into production. Using some cleverly photoshopped images, he managed to capture the attention of over 7,000 interested customers before the inventory even arrived.
In the beginning, Dylan had his target audience all wrong. But he quickly learned that entrepreneurship is all about adapting. He dove into Facebook ads, learned the ropes through trial and error, and started building an email list. When BrüMate officially launched, he had an audience ready and waiting—and it paid off with $250,000 in sales within three weeks.
Dylan’s biggest lesson? “You always hear people say things like ‘just get out there and do it’… and they couldn’t be more right.” It’s a mantra he lived by, embracing every mistake and using it as a chance to pivot. And it’s this mindset that helped BrüMate grow from a one-man show into a brand with thousands of loyal customers.
Cracking the Code on Manufacturing and Marketing
BrüMate’s success wasn’t just about having a good product—it was also about smart sourcing and manufacturing. Dylan used a trick he discovered during his tile business days: import records. By checking these public records, he identified manufacturers other brands were using and reached out directly. It was a time-saving hack that helped him secure quality production right from the start.
Knowing how crucial manufacturing quality is, Dylan even set up backup facilities and had copies of molds made—because nothing can sink a company faster than a manufacturer that can’t keep up with demand. This foresight paid off, helping BrüMate scale smoothly as demand exploded.
Marketing was another key piece of the puzzle. Dylan leaned heavily into Facebook and Instagram ads, perfect for their visual appeal and ability to target specific demographics. And he didn’t just rely on ads—he also launched an ambassador program, encouraging superfans to spread the word in exchange for rewards. The result? A steady flow of new customers, returning buyers, and a dedicated community that championed the brand.
The Challenges of Rapid Growth—and How to Tackle Them
Of course, growth comes with its own set of challenges, and Dylan faced plenty. Running out of stock became a recurring headache, and cash flow issues forced him to make tough calls, like air-shipping inventory from China—a $70,000 decision that stung, but kept sales rolling in during peak season.
He also had to juggle the complexities of a changing online marketplace. At one point, a shift in Facebook’s algorithms threw a wrench in his ad strategy, but Dylan adjusted on the fly, tweaking his approach until he found what worked.
These problems might seem daunting, but Dylan sees them as good problems to have—signs that demand is there and that a solution is within reach. It’s a far better situation than the alternative: a lack of demand, where no amount of inventory would help.
What’s Next for BrüMate?
Today, BrüMate is pulling in around $1.1 million monthly through its website and another $100,000 through Amazon and other retailers like Cabela’s. And Dylan isn’t done yet. With six new products in development and plans to expand into more retail stores, he aims to hit $50 million in annual revenue by next year.
He’s also learned a lot along the way, like the importance of controlling his company. Dylan resisted the temptation to take on investors early, which may have slowed growth but allowed him to maintain 100% ownership. Now, with a firm foundation in place, he’s glad he held onto that independence.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Dylan’s advice for those looking to start their own venture? “The finished product you see today is not where the original vision started for any company.” He stresses the importance of adaptability, learning from experience, and understanding that mistakes are part of the journey.
And while he doesn’t see much value in reading business books or listening to too many podcasts, he believes in getting hands-on experience. He suggests starting a “practice business,” even if it’s just to learn the ropes. Each of Dylan’s earlier ventures helped prepare him for BrüMate’s success, teaching him invaluable lessons about product development, marketing, and the gritty reality of being a founder.
In the End, It’s All About the Hustle
Dylan Jacob’s journey with BrüMate is a classic story of perseverance, creativity, and a bit of stubbornness. From a frustration with warm beer to a company that’s reshaping the insulated drinkware market, it’s a testament to the power of spotting a gap, believing in your vision, and putting in the work to bring it to life. So, next time you’re sipping a cold one, think of Dylan—and remember that sometimes, a simple problem can spark an entire empire.