Business

24-Year-Old College Dropout, Dylan Jacob is the King of the Drinkware Market

Published

6 years ago

June 19, 2019

At a mere age of 24, Dylan Jacob is a force to reckon with. Already the king of the drinkware market in the United States, Jacob is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully run two businesses before starting BrüMate.

Every year, millions of aspiring entrepreneurs come up with fantastic business ideas. While some fail, some others succeed and set an example for others to follow. Passion, creativity and confidence are traits required in good businessmen. But for them to turn a business into a successful venture, understanding the consumer’s needs is important.

Indiana-based Dylan Jacob believes that, “Before setting out to create any product or service you should be out there talking to your ideal customer base to help shape and transform your concept into a viable product that the general population will get behind.”

Always amongst the top 10 in his class, Jacob studied Engineering at the prestigious Purdue University. It was then that he started a small business of part supply for repair which he sold to one of the company’s franchise customers.

After two semesters at Purdue, Jacob made a risky decision which completely changed his life. He dropped out of college to pursue entrepreneurship full time. He then started a high-end glass tile company and sold it in 2017 which is still a successful venture under the new owners. But his third and the most successful venture, BrüMate is the closest to his heart.

At a Christmas party, Jacob left his drink unattended for a few minutes and found the drink to be quite warm when he returned. He grew curious and started looking for koozies online to keep his drinks cold. He was surprised that there were no koozies available for his choice of beverage. So in 2016, he launched BrüMate, an insulated drinkware brand specializing in adult beverages.

In its first year, BrüMate made $2 million in sales without taking a single penny from investors. In the second year, the company recorded a 1000% profit with $20 million revenue. In 2019, Jacob aims at crossing $35 million in revenue. One of the most popular product of the company, the Hopsulator TRiO keeps your drink cold till you finish it. The Winesulator is another best-selling product which keeps your wine cold for 24 hours. Apart from these, there glitter flasks and a variety of accessories to choose from.

Jacob has made it in the Forbes 30 under 30 list two years in a row and is also one of the finalists for ‘Entrepreneur of the Year – 2019.’ All products by BrüMate are designed and conceptualized by Jacob himself and he’s increasingly adding new products on the shelf based on market requirement. According to a Drinkware Market Report, the industry is estimated to cross $11 billion by 2023 and the rate at which BrüMate is growing, Jacob is sure to be one of the top contenders in the world market.

At 24, Jacob is running one of the fastest growing businesses in all of United States and is the leader in the drinkware market. But even after achieving so much, he wants to explore, take more risks and grow his business further. “I have seen entrepreneurs hesitate to take risks because of fear of failure. However, real success comes to those who dare to take the unexplored path. Today, even though I have established myself in the industry, I wish to experiment and explore newer markets, achieve greater heights, and become a market pioneer,” Jacob says.

Business

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke: A New Approach to Fine Real Estate

Published

3 days ago

December 16, 2024

Matthew Wiles

Photo credit: Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke.

Byline: Andi Stark

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke, a real estate platform operating across Hawaii, is rewriting how properties are bought and sold in the region. Unlike larger firms reliant on public listings and mass marketing, Private Listings’ strategy prioritizes personalization, privacy, and meticulous curation of ultra-high-end, off-market properties, including oceanfront estates, gated community residences, and architectural masterpieces.

Harold Clarke, founder of Private Listings, describes their method as one that rejects “cookie-cutter solutions in favor of understanding the nuances of both buyers and sellers.” This approach has resonated with ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking refined and discreet real estate transactions.

The Hawaiian real estate market remains a hub for global investors, with the median price for a single-family home in the state reaching $900,000 in 2024, according to the Hawaii Association of Realtors. Within this competitive landscape, Private Listings is building up to be a trusted name for properties that extend beyond luxury into generational investments.

Challenging the Industry Norms

Private Listings deliberately avoids the conventions of large-scale real estate firms. By focusing on fewer, higher-value properties, the company ensures that each transaction is treated with the same level of care and confidentiality.

Public listing platforms, while effective for broader markets, often expose sellers to unnecessary attention or unqualified inquiries. For Clarke, this model is misaligned with the needs of UHNWIs. “Privacy isn’t a luxury for our clients—it’s a necessity,” Clarke explains.

This philosophy has led Private Listings to handle some of Hawaii’s most significant real estate transactions, including off-market properties valued at over $40 million. Its success is not measured by the volume of listings but by the depth of trust built with clients, many of whom return for subsequent transactions.

Adapting to Changing Client Demands

While Private Listings maintains a foundation of traditional practices, the firm also recognizes the evolving needs of its clientele. The global real estate market is increasingly influenced by concerns over digital security, with a 15% rise in data breaches targeting high-net-worth individuals in the past three years, according to cybersecurity firm NortonLifeLock.

To address these risks, Private Listings employs rigorous screening for potential buyers and uses secure platforms for communication and transactions. The firm’s “by invitation only” model ensures that clients remain protected from the pitfalls of public exposure. Clarke notes, “Our goal is not just to sell homes but to create an environment where clients feel safe and confident during every step of the process.”

The Human Element in Real Estate Transactions

Despite advancements in technology, Private Listings firmly believes that real estate transactions cannot be reduced to algorithms or automation. Unlike firms that depend heavily on online data aggregation, Private Listings emphasizes human connection and insight.

The company’s sales strategy integrates personalized client interactions, in-depth market analysis, and years of experience navigating Hawaii’s unique real estate ecosystem. Clarke’s background in managing family assets and his global perspective is significant in shaping this essence.

Future Directions for Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke

As Hawaii continues to attract global attention, Private Listings aims to expand its influence within the state while maintaining its core principles. The company is currently developing a new platform to streamline services for UHNWIs, blending their demand for discretion with seamless access to Hawaii’s finest off-market properties.

Additionally, Private Listings is strengthening its ties with local communities, recognizing that sustainable growth benefits both the company and the islands’ ecosystems.

Private Listings by Harold X. Clarke has set itself apart in Hawaii’s real estate scene by moving away from the typical mass-market approach. Through a mix of traditional values and modern sensibilities, the firm continues to define what it means to transact ultra-high-value properties with integrity and care.