In an inspiring and deeply personal interview, Ryan Chen, the co-founder of Neuro Gum, shared his extraordinary journey of overcoming a life-altering accident and building a $100 million company. From being paralyzed at 19 to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Ryan’s story is a powerful testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of a strong support system. This blog dives deep into his journey, uncovering the challenges, strategies, and lessons that shaped his path to success.
NeuroGum (Website) : https://neurogum.com/
NeuroGum (Instagram) : @neurogum
Ryan Chen (Instagram) : @ryan.ryc
Ryan Chen (LinkedIn) : @ryanchen
Kent Yoshimura (Instagram) : @kentaro
The Accident That Changed Everything
1. A Life-Altering Moment
Ryan Chen was a talented athlete in his teenage years, competing at a national level in Kendo and earning the title of cross-country state champion. However, his life took a dramatic turn during a friend’s birthday party in Big Bear, California. While attempting a big jump, Ryan over-rotated and landed on his back, shattering his spine. He was paralyzed instantly.
“Literally, my life changed in a split second. I went from being an athlete to being paralyzed, and everything I knew about myself was turned upside down.”
2. Rock Bottom and the Struggle with Depression
The accident left Ryan in a state of physical and emotional turmoil. He spent six months in the hospital, undergoing multiple surgeries and grueling rehabilitation sessions. During this time, he battled severe depression and self-doubt, questioning his worth and future.
“I would go through scenarios where I’m going to be a burden, I’m going to slow people down. Is this life even worth living? It was a dark spiral that lasted for almost two years.”
3. Finding Hope Through Support
Ryan’s recovery was fueled by the unwavering support of his family, friends, and community. A pivotal moment came when his best friend, Marcus, invited him on a road trip to film a documentary called No Cameras Allowed. This experience helped Ryan regain his confidence and embrace his new reality.
“That trip was the first time I realized I could still live a full life. I felt like I was closed off before, only wanting to talk to people who knew me. Now, I’m like, this is who I am, and I’m proud of it.”
Ryan’s perspective shifted when one of his friends told him, “You’re still the same guy, but now you’re just in the chair chilling.” This simple yet profound statement helped Ryan see himself as more than his disability.
The Birth of Neuro Gum
1. A Friendship That Sparked Innovation
Ryan’s college best friend, Kent Yoshimura, played a crucial role in his journey. The two bonded over their shared passion for fitness and performance enhancement. While training—Ryan for the Paralympic team and Kent for the Olympic judo team—they experimented with homemade performance-enhancing pills.
“We were mixing powders like racetams and parasin for focus and lucid dreaming. It was like our secret formula. We kept tweaking it, hoping to create the ultimate performance enhancer.”
2. The “Aha” Moment
The idea for Neuro Gum came during a scuba diving trip. Ryan and Kent realized that sharing their homemade pills with strangers felt awkward. This sparked the idea of creating a more accessible and approachable form of supplementation—gum and mints infused with performance-enhancing ingredients.
“What if we can make supplementation more accessible by putting these great ingredients into gum and mints? It would be easy to share, discreet, and convenient.”
3. Taking the Leap
Despite having stable jobs—Ryan at Hulu and Kent at Sony Music—the duo decided to pursue their dream. Ryan cashed out his 401(k) to fund the initial R&D, a risky move he doesn’t recommend but one that ultimately paid off.
“We didn’t have the funding, and no one taught us how to start a company. But we were willing to take the risk. I cashed out my 401(k), and we used that money to get our first R&D samples and pay for legal fees.”
The Early Struggles of Building Neuro Gum
1. Crowdfunding Success
With no money left to produce their first batch, Ryan and Kent turned to crowdfunding. They launched a campaign on Indiegogo, leveraging Kent’s Reddit connections to gain traction.
“We hit our $30,000 goal in 3-4 days. Time Magazine even wrote an article calling us ‘the next big thing.’ It was surreal.”
The campaign’s success was a turning point, proving that there was a market for their product.
2. Living on Credit Card Points
For the first four years, Ryan and Kent reinvested every dollar back into the business. They lived frugally, relying on credit card points for meals and skipping salaries.
“We were basically living off credit card points and using company funds just for meals. It was a grind, but we believed in the product.”
3. Scaling from a Dorm Room
The first 4,000 pounds of Neuro Gum were stored in Kent’s apartment, which doubled as their warehouse. They hand-delivered packages to USPS daily, slowly building their customer base.
“Year one, we did a little over 100,000. Year two, we hit 750,000. That’s when we realized this could be a real thing.”
The Shark Tank Experience
1. A Pivotal Moment
In 2019, Ryan and Kent appeared on Shark Tank. Although they didn’t secure a deal, the exposure catapulted their business to new heights.
“Shark Tank was a step change for us. It wasn’t just linear growth—it was exponential. The exposure alone was worth it.”
2. A Lifesaving Connection
After the show, Ryan reached out to Daniel Lubetzky, founder of KIND Snacks and a guest shark on their episode. Daniel became a mentor and helped them navigate a costly trademark lawsuit that threatened to bankrupt the company.
“Daniel hopped on a call with us right away. He defended us and even offered to cover our legal fees. He said, ‘If this goes to court, Ryan and Kent are going to win, but it’s going to cost you a lot of money.’”
Daniel’s support not only saved Neuro Gum but also solidified Ryan’s belief in the power of mentorship and community.
Building a $100 Million Brand
1. Organic Growth and Celebrity Endorsements
Neuro Gum’s success was fueled by organic marketing and celebrity endorsements. Joe Rogan, Steve Aoki, and Ashley Graham were among the many who praised the product.
“We’re a top 10 TikTok shop brand. It’s all about compounding virality. When Joe Rogan talks about your product, it’s like free marketing on steroids.”
2. Employee Satisfaction and Social Impact
Ryan takes pride in Neuro Gum’s company culture, boasting a 96% employee satisfaction rate. The company also donates to impactful causes, furthering its mission to make a difference.
“The revenue has been amazing, but seeing the team engaged and helping good causes—that’s what I’m most proud of. We’re not just building a business; we’re building a legacy.”
Lessons from Ryan’s Journey
1. Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Ryan’s story is a powerful reminder that success is defined by how high you bounce back from rock bottom.
“My dad told me, ‘Success is defined by how high you bounce back from rock bottom.’ That really stuck with me. I hit rock bottom, but I bounced back higher than anyone could have imagined.”
2. The Importance of a Strong Support System
Ryan credits his family, friends, and mentors for helping him overcome challenges and achieve his dreams.
“The reason I’m alive and well is because of the support system I’ve had. My parents, my sister, my friends—they were always there for me, not pushing me, but just being there.”
3. Take the First Step
Ryan’s journey proves that entrepreneurship is for everyone, regardless of their current situation. The key is to start, even if the path ahead is uncertain.
“If you don’t start, all the dreams in your head have a 0% chance of coming to life. Take that first step, no matter how small.”
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