The Entrepreneurial Roots
Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood. At just 8 years old, I launched my first venture: a neighborhood car washing business. That hustle quickly evolved into dog walking services, and eventually, one of my most memorable “startups” spray painting backyard rocks gold, and selling them as “GOLD ROCKS $5” from a cardboard stand. While most kids had lemonade stands, I ran a rock emporium.
These early ventures weren’t just childhood fun they were my first taste of building something from scratch. But as I grew older, another passion took hold: football. What started as a game became a calling. My dedication to the sport eventually took me all the way to the NFL. Competing at that level required relentless focus, discipline, and time so my business ideas took a back seat.
Still, those entrepreneurial roots never left me. They simply waited for the right moment to grow again.
The Spark Returns
In 2019, while nearing the end of my NFL career, I attended a Pro Athlete community event focused on life after sports. It ended with a Shark Tank-style pitch competition, where athletes presented business ideas to a panel of judges and a crowd of 300. The experience reignited something in me reminding me of the entrepreneurial drive I had put on hold.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the list of business ideas I had kept over the years. One stood out: naturally caffeinated gum. A clean, convenient source of energy without the crash of coffee or sugary drinks. It was simple, practical, and something I wished existed in my own day to day life. That moment marked the beginning of a new journey one that would take me from the field to the founder’s seat.
The Problem That Needed Solving
As an NFL player, I struggled with the usual energy options. Coffee and energy drinks were too intense Causing anxiety, a racing heart, and digestive issues that made practice uncomfortable. But staying alert during long meetings was critical. Most teammates relied on caffeine or tobacco dip. I was stuck with sunflower seeds every single day. It wasn’t ideal, and it wasn’t sustainable.
That’s when the idea clicked: a naturally caffeinated gum with just 60mg of caffeine clean, convenient, and easy to control. Enough to stay focused, without the crash or side effects. I pitched it at the event, and the concept instantly resonated. It won the competition. But more importantly, it proved this wasn’t just a personal problem others saw the need too.
From Concept to Creation
In 2020, while playing for the Washington Commanders and isolating during COVID, I decided to test whether my gum idea could actually work. Instead of searching for manufacturers right away, I took a DIY approach researching how to make gum from scratch and mix in natural caffeine and vitamins myself, all from my small apartment kitchen.
When I finally made a batch that tasted good and worked, I was fired up! That moment changed everything. If I could do this in my own kitchen, I knew a professional team could take it even further. The idea wasn’t just possible it was real. And from that point on, I went all in. Energize was no longer just an idea it was happening.
Building the Brand
Once the concept was proven, it was time to build a brand. The name Energize said it all clean, fast energy in a simple form. I worked with designers to develop a logo and packaging that reflected that promise: natural ingredients, no crash, and on-the-go convenience.
After months of testing formulas, refining the brand, and perfecting the packaging, the first official batch of Energize was delivered. Opening that box was a milestone the moment an idea became a real product, ready to help others power through their day.
The Energize Difference
ENERGIZE is changing the way people fuel their day by delivering energy faster and cleaner than traditional options. In a world where time matters, our caffeinated gum offers a smarter solution. Each piece contains 60mg of natural green tea caffeine, plus vitamins B6 and B12, delivered through a patented cold-compression process that works 5X faster than drinks. No jitters, no crashes, and no waiting just smooth, fast energy you can feel in minutes.
As more people move away from sugary energy drinks and harsh stimulants, Energize offers a clean, natural alternative. It’s free from synthetic additives and doesn’t cause the digestive issues or energy crashes common with coffee or energy drinks. Whether you’re heading into a workout, back-to-back meetings, or a busy day on the go, Energize keeps you sharp, focused, and ready without the downside.
The Time-Saving Philosophy
By removing the need for coffee shop stops, prep time, and the crash that follows sugary drinks, Energize gives people back what matters most time. Vegan, sugar-free, and fast-acting, it’s designed for busy lives. With clean ingredients and refreshing Peppermint and Wintergreen flavors, Energize offers a simple, effective way to stay sharp anytime, anywhere.
This journey brought me back to my entrepreneurial roots. Energize isn’t just a product it’s a personal solution to a real problem I faced, now helping others do the same. It’s the result of lived experience and a drive to create something better for energy, for health, and for everyday life.
What Our Customers Say
Energize is making a real difference in people’s lives. “As a busy mom and entrepreneur, I get the energy boost I need without the jitters from coffee or the sugar crash from energy drinks,” says Sarah K. For Marcus T., it’s all about convenience: “I keep Energize in my desk, gym bag, and car. It’s perfect for those afternoon meetings when I need to be sharp and focused.”
Others value how it feels. “Finally! An energy product that doesn’t upset my stomach or make me feel like I’m bouncing off the walls,” shares Jamie L. “Just clean, steady energy when I need it.” These stories reflect why Energize was built to give people a fast, clean, and reliable way to stay energized.
Be Part of What’s Next
The Energize journey is just getting started. While we continue to grow, our mission stays the same: to provide a clean, convenient energy solution that gives people back what they value most time. Energize was built for those constantly on the move, who need to stay sharp without the crash, sugar, or side effects of traditional energy products. It's more than gum it's a smarter way to fuel your day.
From selling gold-painted rocks as a kid to grinding on the NFL field, and now building a brand to solve a real-world problem, this journey has always been about recognizing needs and creating better solutions. Now, we’re inviting you to be part of that story experience the Energize difference and shop now or find a store near you.
Behind the Scenes
Creating Energize has been a hands-on journey filled with challenges and wins. It started with DIY gum experiments in my kitchen and grew into months of trial and error perfecting the formula, sourcing clean ingredients, and learning everything from scratch.
From solving manufacturing issues to pulling off our first brand photoshoot, every step pushed the vision forward. Landing our first retail placement made it all real. Each moment brought lessons and momentum and we’re just getting started.
Our Community
The Energize community is growing fast, and we’re proud to see how people use it to power through their day whether it’s at the gym, in meetings, or on the go. It’s amazing to watch Energize become part of everyday routines.
We’d love to see how you use it too. Tag us with #EnergizeYourDay for a chance to be featured your energy keeps us going.