NUGSAX began when Ryan had an idea for a better way to keep coolers cold—without buying bags of ice every weekend. When he shared it with Andrew, the timing couldn’t have been better. Andrew was at the beach in Florida with a backpack cooler that day. While rinsing off a chair, he bent over and freezing ice water poured down his back. Suddenly, the idea made perfect sense.

The two brought different experiences to the table. Ryan had spent his career in the corporate world and marketing, while Andrew built a career as a creative marketer—working with businesses, entrepreneurs & celebrities, developing brands and growing his own audience of more than 500,000 followers across social media.

Together, they spent months testing different bag designs, materials, cubes and quantities until they created the premium bagged reusable ice system they envisioned.

What started in a garage has grown into a Louisville-based business with a full fulfillment facility. Today, NUGSAX keeps coolers cold for boaters, anglers, beachgoers, golfers, tailgaters, tournament families and backyard hosts across the country.