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Ryan Quinn

Overview​

Ryan Quinn is the CEO of Austin-based Drip MFG, a venture studio specializing in celebrity-driven Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands. Under his leadership, Drip MFG has collaborated with high-profile figures—most notably comedians Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura—for projects like the launch of Por Osos vodka, a product designed to blend entertainment with premium spirits.

Professional Background​

Current Role​

  • CEO/President/Director, Drip MFG (Present): Austin-based venture studio focusing on celebrity-driven CPG brands
  • Oversees operational aspects and ensures focus on innovative, creator-led products in the CPG sector
  • Specializes in partnerships with entertainment industry figures, particularly comedians

Business Model & Strategy​

Celebrity Partnership Approach: Ryan emphasizes character assessment in partnerships:

"They're kind of lending their brand, right?... You do like, heavy betting on the character of the people... They're the exact same person that they are on camera. Really? They're good guys? These guys are the exact same."

Product Development Focus: Targets high-volume, high-margin products:

"A high-octane, like, high-caffeine, high-sodium, meats, energy drink... They're selling $30 million at merch price. Every bike, or every $5 in the store gets a new bike."

Current Business Status​

Financial Performance​

Recent Milestones: Ryan shared positive business trajectory:

"We're right at, like, this month, we're finally at bridge. Right. On sales... We're raising eight more right now."

Fundraising Progress: Currently in active fundraising mode:

"We did five and a half, too. First raise. We're raising eight more right now."

Notable Partnerships​

  • Bert Kreischer & Tom Segura: Primary celebrity partners for Por Osos vodka brand
  • Austin Comedy Scene: Well-connected within local entertainment community
  • Retail Distribution: Working with major retailers including Walmart partnerships

Austin Community Integration​

Comedy Scene Connections​

Mothership Comedy Club: Ryan is connected to Austin's comedy infrastructure:

"How did you run into them at the Mothership? So, I'm friends with this Zach Ritney guy... he's the backstage manager."

Authentic Relationships: Ryan emphasized genuine connections over transactional partnerships:

"It's like a junior... Great dudes... I love it."

Walking Group Participation​

Member of Matt Holm's walking group, participating in Austin's high-quality entrepreneurial networking community.

Upcoming Projects & Events​

Zach Levi Ranch Event (August 14th)​

Event Participation: Ryan confirmed attendance at major Austin networking event:

"Oh, you are? Yeah, yeah... Oh, sick, dude... I'm going to hire a bartender as well. Like at least an eight."

Community Integration: Represents the creative/entertainment arm of Austin's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Austin Surf Club Interest​

Kelly Slater Wave Pool: Ryan provided detailed knowledge of upcoming Austin surf facility:

"It's the Kelly Slater wave pool technology... we clocked it on his car, it's like over a mile long wave. It's the longest wave... This is going to be the longest wave in the world."

Professional Surfing Background: Ryan revealed high-level surfing ability:

"I'm a really good surfer... You're a fucking pro surfer."

Potential Instructor Role: Ryan exploring involvement with surf club:

"I told Casey, I was like, hey, if you need, honestly, if you need someone to be like a concierge or someone for this, I'm a really good surfer. I will volunteer for a trade in wave time if that's a possibility."

Personal Background​

Surfing Expertise​

  • Professional-level surfing ability
  • Deep knowledge of wave pool technology and surf industry
  • Interest in surf instruction and community building around surfing

Austin Lifestyle​

  • Integrated into Austin's entertainment and entrepreneurship communities
  • Values authentic relationships and community building
  • Active participant in walking group and networking events

Business Philosophy & Approach​

Character-First Partnerships​

Ryan's approach prioritizes authentic relationships over purely financial considerations:

"You do like, heavy betting on the character of the people... These guys are the exact same. They're very, very athletic. They know what it takes to do something. They're kind of self-determined."

Entertainment Industry Integration​

Focus on leveraging entertainment personalities' authentic brand appeal rather than manufactured endorsements.

Austin Network Leverage​

Utilizes Austin's collaborative entrepreneurial ecosystem for business development and partnership opportunities.

Strategic Positioning​

Celebrity CPG Market​

  • Positioned at intersection of entertainment and consumer products
  • Focus on authentic celebrity partnerships with genuine product alignment
  • Understanding of merchandise integration with content creation

Austin Entertainment Hub​

  • Connected to both local and national comedy scenes
  • Bridge between entertainment and business communities
  • Leveraging Austin's growing entertainment industry presence

Connections​

  • Gary Sheng (Met through walking group, potential collaborator)
  • Matt Holm (Walking group friend, real estate/networking connector)
  • Jon Werner (Fellow Austin entrepreneur, event management)
  • Zach Ritney (Mothership Comedy Club backstage manager)
  • Bert Kreischer (Primary celebrity partner)
  • Tom Segura (Primary celebrity partner)
  • Casey (Austin Surf Club president of Discovery Land group)

Potential Collaboration Areas​

With Gary's Manufacturing Initiative​

  • Celebrity branding and marketing expertise for modular housing
  • Entertainment industry connections for product promotion
  • Austin network leveraging for business development

Community Building​

  • Surf club group coordination and membership strategies
  • Entertainment event planning and celebrity connections
  • Walking group expansion and diversification

Business Development​

  • Celebrity partnership models for various products
  • Austin comedy scene integration for marketing
  • Event coordination and community building

Interaction History​

  • 2025-07-30: First substantial meeting with Gary Sheng during Austin walking group gathering. Discussed Drip MFG's celebrity CPG business model, Austin Surf Club details, upcoming Zach Levi ranch event participation, and Austin community networking. Shared business insights about character assessment in celebrity partnerships and provided extensive knowledge about Kelly Slater wave pool technology coming to Austin. Demonstrated integration into both Austin's entrepreneurship and entertainment communities.

Assessment from Conversation​

Ryan represents the creative/entertainment intersection within Austin's entrepreneurship ecosystem. His success with celebrity partnerships demonstrates sophisticated understanding of authentic brand building, while his surfing expertise and community involvement show depth beyond business. His participation in both walking group networking and comedy scene connections positions him as a valuable bridge between entertainment and business communities in Austin.

His business model of character-first celebrity partnerships aligns with Austin's emphasis on authentic relationship building, making him a natural fit for collaborative projects that require both business acumen and entertainment industry credibility.

Notes​

Ryan embodies Austin's unique blend of serious business development with lifestyle and entertainment integration. His professional surfing ability combined with successful celebrity CPG business demonstrates the multi-dimensional talent that characterizes Austin's entrepreneurial community. His emphasis on character assessment in business partnerships reflects the values-driven approach common among successful Austin entrepreneurs.

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary
2025-07-30-gary-sheng-matt-holm-ryan-quinn-jon-werner-austin-networking2025-07-30Austin networking meetup discussing celebrity CPG business model and surf club development