MLB MUGS
The Bulls, The Yankees, The Lakers, and MUGS? A Dugout DYNASTY!
Throwing the term "Dynasty" around is not something that should be taken lightly, but at times it is the only word that fits. No feat demands that title like winning a championship THREE times in a row! An accomplishment so iconic that the legends can be mentioned with just a single name... Shaq, Jordan, Kobe, Jeter, Mariano, Reggie, Rollie... and DUGOUT!?
Founded in 2016 by Randall Thompson, and relaunched in 2017 with partner Kris Dehnert, Dugout Mugs has experienced massive growth in just a few short years. The Florida-based manufacturer of baseball bat-shaped drinkware has achieved a feat very few can boast... Winning three in a row! In the case of Dugout, their "3-Peat" was being recognized on the prestigious Inc. 5000 List three years running in 2021, 2022, and 2023, as being one of the fastest growing companies in America!
In 2018, and after securing licensing from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players in Association, Dugout Mugs managed to double year over year for the first three years in business, making a name in the baseball space as the premium gift of choice for fans, businesses, and retail alike. This early success validated the founders' vision for stylish, baseball-bat-themed customized bat mugs.
Remarkably, Dugout's growth only accelerated from there. Thanks to expanded manufacturing capabilities and rising demand during the pandemic, their revenues from 2018-2021 skyrocketed by a staggering 788%. This landed Dugout Mugs at #719 on the 2021 Inc. 5000 rankings. Not a bad debut!
Randall and Kris quickly followed up in 2021 with a second appearance on the list at #1259 in 2022, and once more in 2023 coming in at #3271. Anything can happen once, twice means you're onto something, but three times in a row makes Dugout Mugs a bona fide business all-star.
When asked to reflect, Dugout CEO Kris Dehnert said, "Looking back on that 36 month period, and bringing in over $30 million in sales is pretty wild to say the least! We just showed up every day staying consistent, focusing on our quality and our customers, and we let everything else fall into place."
According to Inc. Magazine, only the most elite, well-run private companies make the list three years straight. So what explains this small Florida brand's monumental success? A few key factors stand out:
Novelty - Baseball bat drinkware is a truly unique product that appeals to sports fans and memorabilia collectors. Dugout Mugs nailed this niche market, and is undoubtably a leader in the baseball gifting space.
Customization - Customers can customize the bat mugs with their own designs, names, and logos, creating personalized merchandise. Additionally, they can Customize MLB Mugs as well.
Manufacturing - By bringing production in-house, Dugout Mugs controls quality and fulfills orders rapidly from their Winter Haven based facility.
Customer Obsession - The company is passionately dedicated to delighting their customers. This leads to excellent reviews and word-of-mouth buzz. In fact, Dugout Mugs is one of the very few companies to boast OVER 50,000 5-star reviews!
Leadership - The founders' vision, business acumen, and commitment to employees drive the winning culture. Lead by business veteran and visionary, Kris Dehnert, and Randall Thompson President, Chief Visionary and creator of the Bat Mug, this tandem has a strategy dialed in!
Dugout Mugs caters to a diverse array of clients ranging from MLB teams to Fortune 500 companies to groomsmen seeking personalized gifts. Their future looks bright as they continue innovating, from expanding their catalog and acquiring licensing deals with major sports leagues, to acquiring strategic ancillary businesses.
The big question - how long can this home run streak last before they start hitting some doubles and triples instead of homers? The founders credit their close-knit team, customer-first mentality, and constant improvement. They aim to continue shattering expectations and SWIGGIN' for the Fences!
Regardless of what the future holds, Dugout Mugs's extraordinary three-year run on the Inc. 5000 cements their status as one of America's fastest-rising businesses. They've achieved a startup success story inspiring entrepreneurs across the nation. Thanks to hard work and smart strategy, this small Florida brand has stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park!
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