This list of 53 top made in Oklahoma brands includes everything from food to innovative technologies, and Chill-N-Reel topped the list at #2 for our redneck ingenuity and popularity. Thank you, Oklahoma Week!
]]>The Tulsa firefighter-owned brand that appeared on “Shark Tank” has acquired a new hunting invention from a fellow (retired) Tulsa firefighter.
SAND SPRINGS, OK, November 1, 2023— Chill-N-Reel, the makers of the popular fishing can cooler with a built-in handline reel has acquired the product and IP of Stand Mitts, including the design patent, from inventor Kelly Leggett, a retired Tulsa firefighter.
The acquisition of Stand Mitts is a strategic move for Chill-N-Reel, who appeared on the reality TV series “Shark Tank” in 2022, that allows them to expand their product line and reach a new customer base. Chill-N-Reel is already well-known and respected in the fishing community, and the acquisition of Stand Mitts gives them an expansion into the hunting and outdoor recreation markets.
"We are excited and proud to acquire Stand Mitts," said Jake Rutledge, inventor and owner of Chill-N-Reel, and a current Tulsa firefighter. "Stand Mitts are a high-quality and innovative hunting product that is well-respected by its customers. We believe that the addition of Stand Mitts to our product line will allow us to diversify our product base to give an even better overall experience to our customers."
Stand Mitts were invented by Kelly Leggett, a retired Tulsa firefighter. Leggett was inspired to create Stand Mitts after experiencing the discomfort of cold hands while bow hunting in cold weather. Stand Mitts are a pair of warm, insulated mitts with attached straps that you can secure to your legs, a tree stand, or a chair.
Leggett started selling his invention several years ago, and discovered that customers found other great uses for Stand Mitts, including keeping hands warm during ice fishing, as well as heating up fingers between clapping in the bleachers at cold weather sporting events.
"I am excited to see Chill-N-Reel take Stand Mitts to the next level," said Leggett. "Chill-N-Reel has a proven track record of successfully bringing products to market, and I am confident that they will be able to bring Stand Mitts to a much larger customer base."
Chill-N-Reel plans to continue to sell Stand Mitts under the existing brand name. They will also be exploring ways to integrate and expand on Stand Mitts within their own line of Chill-N-Reel products.
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Thanks for the shout out!
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Thanks to FoxNews.com for selecting Chill-N-Reel for their 2022 "15 Christmas gifts made in America!"
The Chill-N-Reel boys sat down for an hour of fun to talk about our experience in the Tank! Watch here:
]]>Jake showed Shea Smith of 2 News (our local NBC affiliate KJRH) how the Chill-N-Reel works and talked about Walmart's Open Call 2022!
Watch here:
]]>It was probably Robert's way of saying that $300K isn't chump change, which we completely agree with! While his offer didn't feel like a "win-win" to us, we deeply appreciated his interest in our redneck ingenuity, and are extremely thankful to "Shark Tank" for giving us the opportunity to introduce Chill-N-Reel to America on national television!
Read more at CNBC "Make It":
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Oklahoma Inventors Of The 'Chill-N-Reel' Featured On 'Shark Tank'
]]>Check out ABC's official post featuring the products and businesses from Season 13, Episode 23.
"Entrepreneurs from Lawrence, New York, want to change the way men fix their appearance with their line of cosmetics to help clear up imperfections instantly this week on "Shark Tank." Entrepreneurs from Encinitas, California, hope to make a splash with their stylish watersport apparel brand that provides athletes with comfort and protection. Siblings from Austin, Texas, pitch their travel product designed to keep pups hydrated during any excursion; while entrepreneurs from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, hope to reel in a Shark with their fun solution to drinking a beverage while fishing."
Shout out to our fellow episode companies!
Stryx | stryx.com
Driftline | driftline.co
Springer | springerpets.com
Followed by yours truly, CHILL-N-REEL!
Read more on abc.com!
]]>Billings West grad to appear on Shark Tank with Chill-N-Reel
]]>Wooo hooo! Let's goooooo!
Sand Springs start-up to take bite out of "Shark Tank" reality show
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chris Diede, CMO
Email: media@chillnreel.com
TULSA FIREFIGHTER TO APPEAR ON “SHARK TANK” WITH HIS FISHING CAN COOLER INVENTION
Jake Rutledge, along with his son and brother-in-law, will pitch the Chill-N-Reel on ABC’s “Shark Tank” airing May 13 at 8 p.m. EST/PST
SAND SPRINGS, OK, May 2, 2022— The team behind the Chill-N-Reel™ will be featured nationwide on Season 13 of ABC’s hit reality show, “Shark Tank” on May 13, 8 p.m. EST/PST.
Jake Rutledge, who has been a Tulsa firefighter for twenty-two years, will be pitching the Chill-N-Reel to the “Sharks” along with his son, Chase Terrell and brother-in-law, Chris Diede of Austin, Texas.
The Chill-N-Reel is a patented can cooler with an attached hand-line fishing reel. Made for a relaxing, fun day on the water, it allows anglers to catch fish without putting their drinks down.
“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be on ‘Shark Tank,’” Rutledge said. “When I invented the Chill-N-Reel while on vacation at the beach a few years ago, I only dreamed about introducing it to a national television audience -- and now it’s coming true!”
Jake and his 28 year old “pitch man” son Chase Terrell started selling Chill-N-Reels at fairs and trade shows in early 2020, but then hit a roadblock when shows were shut down due to the pandemic. However, after they were featured on a local news story in Tulsa, Jake’s brother-in-law Chris Diede stepped in and pivoted the focus to ecommerce. Within 10 months, the startup hit $1M in online sales.
“After we started making more sales, my son Chase was determined to get us on ‘Shark Tank,’ so he was the one who applied,” said Rutledge. “Once the producers initially responded, I think it was the combined creativity and diligence from the three of us that took Chill-N-Reel from being one of tens of thousands of applicants to actually getting on the show!”
Chill-N-Reel sought to partner with the “Sharks” to leverage their business knowledge and experience and to help expand the company’s operations to support the growing demand for its product.
About Chill-N-Reel, LLC
Invented by Oklahoma firefighter Jake Rutledge, the Chill-N-Reel is the drink insulator you can fish with! It is a patented, hand-line fishing reel attached to the side of a hard-shell can cooler. Company operations are headquartered in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, with ecommerce and marketing operations based in Austin, Texas. Learn more at https://chillnreel.com, or follow @chillnreel on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok.
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As one of only 10 featured products, we really appreciate the recognition for the true redneck ingenuity that Jake had when inventing the Chill-N-Reel a few years ago!
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And yes, while it might be weird to some, the Chill-N-Reel is absolutely genius to others! Thanks for the inclusion, David Moye!
]]>Selected as one of the gifts under $15 by the TODAY.com team, we're totally honored to be chosen this year by such a major publication.
Special shout-out to Megan duBois for sharing her Secret Santa ideas, especially to the fishermen and fisherwomen of the world!
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Dads who love to fish and/or dads who like beer or any other beverage that fits in a koozie also love their Chill-N-Reels!
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We know thousands of dads all over the USA who are already enjoying their Chill-N-Reels, and we're happy to know there will be many many more!
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These bad boys are not available outside of this promo (yet?), but you sure can buy your own blue Chill-N-Reels and slap on your own Busch Light stickers if ya want!
Thanks y'all for the love, Busch buddies! See ya on the water.
]]>Big thanks to Amber Sutton for the shout-out in her article, and to It's a Southern Thing for touting the Chill-N-Reel to their 3.4M Facebook followers as "The invention we've all been waiting for!"
We love your all-things-Southern feed!
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