College Kids Built $100K App That's DESTROYING A $36 Billion Industry

Nov 13, 2025

Ethan Karian, founder of SipSkip, and Sage Gable, entrepreneur and co-founder, share their journey of disrupting the $36 billion bar industry with a groundbreaking app. They reveal how SipSkip scaled to $100K revenue in just five months through innovative partnerships and data-driven strategies. The duo discusses gamifying bartending, dynamic pricing, and their bold plans to tour colleges to expand awareness. Their candid reflections on taking risks and staying true to their vision inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to embrace the unconventional.

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INSIGHT

Bar Industry As Data Opportunity

SipSkip targets a $36B bar industry by converting bar visits into a data-driven social platform.
The app blends instant-service passes with venue ratings and event promotion to create measurable bar performance signals.

ANECDOTE

First Night Test Proved Economics

Ethan launched a SipSkip pass that signals a bartender to come and redeem a pass in seconds.
That first-night test let a bartender earn an extra $150 just tapping phone screens.

INSIGHT

Dynamic Pricing Preserves VIP Status

Dynamic pricing for passes manages scarcity and preserves VIP value as demand shifts.
Real-time price changes ensure only committed users buy during peak crowding.

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This episode was sponsored by SipSkip

LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/

Young entrepreneurs Ethan Karian and Sage Gable return to Dropping Bombs with explosive proof that one podcast appearance can ignite empires. After Ethan's first episode, SipSkip exploded—scaling to $100K revenue in five months with 30 million YouTube views and major stadium partnerships. From disrupting the $36 billion bar industry to building OSTRYX development company, these visionaries expose the raw truth about taking massive risks when everyone calls you delusional.

This isn't another startup story—it's a masterclass in relationship leverage, sprint-to-scale execution, and why "playing it safe" guarantees failure. Whether you're a startup dreamer, bar owner, or truth-seeker chasing freedom through entrepreneurship, this convo exposes the blueprint for turning ideas into empires.

🔗 Resources

🌐 SipSkip Website — https://sipskip.com/

🌐 OSTRYX — https://www.ostryx.com/

📲 Ethan Karian Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/ethankarian/

📲 Sage Gable Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/sagegable/

📲 SipSkip Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/sipskip/

📱 Download Sip Skip 2.0: Available on the App Store (search "Sip Skip")

Watch the full-length video version of any Dropping Bombs episode here on YouTube.

Brad Lea is a self-made entrepreneur who turned small-town grit into a multi-million-dollar empire. With over 25 years dominating sales and leadership, he's mentored thousands to outsmart, outwork, and out win their competition. His top-rated podcast, Dropping Bombs, brings raw, game-changing insights from the biggest names in business.

LightSpeed VT is Brad's brainchild—the world's leading interactive training platform. It's built to make your team sharper, faster, and more effective, without wasting time or money. Whether you're a startup or a Fortune 500, LightSpeed VT is how you scale success and dominate your industry. Curious? Check it out:

https://www.lightspeedvt.com/

Brad's also behind Closer School, the go-to program for mastering sales and closing deals like a pro. Want to 10x your income? This is where you start. His book, The Hard Way, lays out the brutal, honest lessons he learned building his empire—your blueprint to winning the game. Get it here: https://bradlea.com/product/the-hard-way/

This isn't just a video. It's a wake-up call. Watch it. Share it. Act on it.

Closer School: https://www.closerschool.com/cs