Gatr Coolers: The Story Behind the Brand with Bryan McGehee

What does it take to turn a text message into a viral brand? Bryan McGehee, founder of Gatr Coolers, did exactly that — starting from a camper with his wife and kids, betting his house on a cooler company, and going full-time the same month COVID shut the world down.Bryan McGehee is the founder of Gatr Coolers, a premium customizable cooler and drinkware brand built out of Thibodaux, Louisiana. Bryan spent years working pipeline jobs, living in hotels and campers, before a text from his brother Mitch sparked an idea that became a decade-long entrepreneurial ride. Joining host Joshua Wilson is co-host Scott Shea, who first connected with Bryan through shared business experiences and knew his story needed to be told.In this episode, Bryan gets raw about the real cost of building a manufacturing company in South Louisiana — hurricanes, inventory tax, staffing wars with oilfield wages, and supply chain chaos that left him waiting on last year's inventory well into this year. He also breaks down the marketing playbook that helped Gatr grow to 50,000 Instagram followers, 50,000 on Facebook, and hundreds of thousands on an email list — almost entirely without paid ads.🎯 What We Cover:How a Thanksgiving text from his brother Mitch became Gatr CoolersWhy Bryan went full-time in March 2020 — and signed a building lease two weeks before COVIDThe "wife test" that shaped every marketing decision Gatr ever madeWhy he ditched influencer culture in favor of real users and user-generated contentHow strategic product partnerships with brands like Realtree and Benelli generated 60–80K emails at a timeThe hidden costs that blindside Louisiana manufacturers: inventory tax, hurricane shutdowns, insuranceWhy he tells college students most of them probably shouldn't start a businessWhat it felt like when a customer cried opening a custom cup engraved with her late sister's photoHis five-year vision: US manufacturing, new product lines, and changing Thibodaux's economyThe brand-naming logic behind dropping the "o" 🤝 Connect with Bryan McGehee: 🌐 https://gatrcoolers.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-mcgehee-38b75268/ 📘 https://www.facebook.com/gatrcoolers 📸 https://www.instagram.com/gatrcoolers/🤝 Connect with Co-Host Scott Shea: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/escottshea/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/