Dugout Mugs Lands At No. 719 On Coveted Inc. 5000 List

August 17, 2021

Inc. magazine today revealed that Dugout Mugs is No. 719 on its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies.

The complete list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Intuit, Zappos, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, and many other well-known names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000.

"It takes an army to get to this level of stride and recognition, said President and Founder Randall Thompson. "Everyone has played a significant role to make this happen."

Awards like this make Thompson think of the companies roots, where they started, and the people that were and still are the foundation of Dugout Mugs. That starts with the level of hard work and commitment from CEO and Partner Kris Dehnert has put into Dugout Mugs over the past four years and their first employee Karin Claessens and her husband Bobby.

"They bent over backward to make stuff happen for us, Thompson added. "Bobby didn’t even work for us, yet he would take time off work to help us with tradeshows. I think of the the dog days, and the hard work of Eric Bearden and Luke Lorah in the airport hanger at the Bartow Airport. I think of the era of Martinez and the Boys when it was two laser engravers and Nate Bearden running the show with Martin."

Thompson also reminisces back to the day he discovered their current Director of Customer Service.

"I'll never forget the day we found an incredibly dedicated & pivotal employee in Brad Casebolt," he explained. "We saw someone on the side of the road with a sign saying “have you seen my resume?”. The rest is history."

CEO and Partner Kris Dehnert also realizes the prestige of being recognized as one of the top privately-held companies in America, and like Thompson what impresses him the most are the people who made it happen!

"Yes, Randall and I have certainly put our heads down and got gritty with this company, but it is the CULTURE that we created that made this possible," Dehnert said. "We have always aimed to create an environment in and around Dugout Mugs that inspires people to be unapologetically authentic... starting at the top with us! I believe when you do that, people enjoy what they do because they can be themselves, making it a space that just has synergy."

As the Dugout Mugs teams grew, so did the success of the company, an astounding 683% over the last three years, and triple-digit growth year-over-year for the last five years!

"Over the years I have had a number of businesses and ventures, but Dugout Mugs is special," Dehnert added. "We have built something here that is experiencing really exciting growth, while still keeping a grip on the things that brought us here in the first place which are culture, quality, customer service, and a whole lot of FUN!"

For decades, Inc. has welcomed the fastest-growing private companies in America, and this year’s set of winners places the bar very high indeed. Companies that made the list, on average, have grown sixfold since 2016. During a stretch when the economy grew just 15 percent, that’s a result most businesses could only dream of.

“The 2021 Inc. 5000 list feels like one of the most important rosters of companies ever compiled,” says Scott Omelianuk, editor-in-chief of Inc. “Building one of the fastest-growing companies in America in any year is a remarkable achievement. Building one in the crisis we’ve lived through is just plain amazing. This kind of accomplishment comes with hard work, smart pivots, great leadership, and the help of a whole lot of people.”

For Thompson, the list of people that have taken Dugout Mugs to this point and set the company up for a future of growth is endless.

"It doesn't happen without that army and it doesn't happen without our current team," he exclaimed. "I wake up every morning, and think to myself how blessed I am and a huge part of that blessing is the people I am surrounded by at Dugout Mugs. We couldn’t do it without them."

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