Welcome to Money Making Story,

Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Ryan Chen, whose business survived a lawsuit that nearly shut it down, only to thrive even stronger.

In this discussion, we’ll discuss his:

• Top Advice

• The Birth of an Idea: From Dorm Room Experiments to a Breakthrough

• From Late-Night Experiments to a $100M Company

• Scaling Neuro: Hustling Through the Challenges

• Top 100 AI Finance Tools

• The $30K Crowdfunding Gamble That Changed Everything

• The $300M Lawsuit That Almost Bankrupted Them

• Explosive Growth: $10M Per Month & Celebrity Fans

• Lessons from Ryan’s Journey

• A Story Worth Reading

Top Advice:

"Success is defined by how high you bounce back from rock bottom."

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Meet Ryan Chen, the co-founder of Neuro, a company generating nearly $10 million per month by reinventing how people consume energy supplements. His journey, however, started with a life-altering accident.

At 19, Ryan suffered a devastating spinal injury while snowboarding in Big Bear, California. The accident left him paralyzed, changing his life in an instant. He spent six months in the hospital, undergoing surgeries and physical therapy while battling depression and self-doubt.

"In my head, I kept thinking, ‘Am I going to be a burden? Is this life worth living?’ I spiraled for two years until I finally decided to turn things around."

Through the support of his friends and family, Ryan found a new perspective. A road trip with his best friend helped him realize he was still the same person—just with wheels.

The Birth of an Idea: From Dorm Room Experiments to a Breakthrough

Ryan’s best friend and eventual business partner, Kent Yoshimura, played a crucial role in his journey. The two bonded over their shared love of fitness, and both were obsessed with optimizing their performance.

During college, they experimented with nootropic supplements, mixing different compounds to enhance focus and energy. But the real lightbulb moment came during a scuba diving trip. They realized that traditional energy supplements weren’t socially acceptable to share in pill form—what if they could put those same benefits into gum and mints?

That was the birth of Neuro.

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From Late-Night Experiments to a $100M Company

Ryan and Kent bonded over fitness and performance optimization, often searching for supplements to boost energy and focus. During this time, they were training intensely—Ryan for the Paralympic team and Kent with Japan’s Olympic judo team.

One night, Kent began experimenting with different supplements, mixing various powders into pills. These homemade energy boosters quickly became a part of their daily routine.

Then, a lightbulb moment struck.

Ryan received a Groupon email offering a scuba-diving deal. On a whim, he and Kent signed up. During the trip, they met new people but didn’t have their usual energy pills with them. That’s when it clicked—what if supplements were more accessible?

“What if we took these ingredients and put them into something people could consume anywhere—like gum or mints?”

That was the birth of Neuro Gum—a functional gum designed to boost energy and focus.

Scaling Neuro: Hustling Through the Challenges

Under his Late Checkout holding company, Greg oversees six ventures:

Even with early success, building a business was an uphill battle.

• First-year revenue: $100,000

• Year two: $750,000

• Year three and four: No salaries, surviving on company meals and side gigs

• Ryan played semi-pro poker to make rent

• Constant inventory issues and supply chain setbacks

Despite the struggles, they stayed committed. They trusted the product. They trusted each other.

Top 100 AI Finance Tools

The $30K Crowdfunding Gamble That Changed Everything

Ryan and Kent launched their campaign on Indiegogo, hoping strangers on the internet would fund their vision.

• Reddit helped spread the word. Kent was a regular in the ‘new products’ subreddit, and his post about Neuro Gum gained traction.

• They hit their $30K goal in just 4 days.

• Time Magazine and Dr. Oz featured them. Overnight, their customer base grew beyond what they ever imagined.

With proof of demand, they moved all operations into Kent’s tiny apartment, which became both a warehouse and a shipping center. They personally packed 4,000 pounds of gum and took daily trips to the post office.

First-year revenue: $100,000
Second-year revenue: $750,000

That’s when they faced a decision—continue treating it as a side hustle or go all in.

The $300M Lawsuit That Almost Bankrupted Them

A woman sued Neuro Gum over a trademark dispute. Ryan and Kent were confident they would win in court—but the legal fees alone would bankrupt them before they even had a chance to fight.

They had no choice but to reach out for help. That’s when Ryan remembered Daniel Lubetzky, the billionaire founder of KIND Snacks and guest judge on Shark Tank.

“I DMed him on Instagram and said, ‘Hey Daniel, I don’t know if you remember me, but we really need help.’”

Daniel replied instantly.

He got on the phone with them and personally defended them for 18 months, handling all negotiations. When the lawsuit’s plaintiff—worth $300M—tried to flex financial power, Daniel simply said:

“I’m worth $3B.”

With his support, Ryan and Kent survived what could have been the end of Neuro Gum.

Explosive Growth: $10M Per Month & Celebrity Fans

With legal troubles behind them, Neuro hit its stride. They expanded into major retailers, grew their e-commerce presence, and landed endorsements from celebrities like Joe Rogan, Steve Aoki, and professional athletes.

• Shark Tank exposure → Massive sales boost

• Celebrities & influencers promoted the product organically

• Became a Top 10 TikTok Shop brand

• Now generates nearly $10 million per month

Lessons from Ryan’s Journey

Ryan’s story is one of resilience, taking risks, and believing in the long game. His key lessons:

1. Bet on yourself. He cashed out his 401k and risked everything for his vision.

2. Leverage free marketing. Indiegogo, Reddit, and organic media exposure were game-changers.

3. Know when to ask for help. Without Daniel Lubetzky, Neuro Gum may have collapsed.

4. Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. The first 5 years were the hardest, but persistence paid off.

Learn more about Ryan Kent

Ryan’s father once told him:

From a devastating accident to a $100M business, Ryan Chen is living proof of that statement.

His story is an inspiration for every entrepreneur facing setbacks. Because if he can rise from rock bottom, so can you.

A Story Worth Reading

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