CNBC Make It
producer, editor, shooter
In 2022, Matt McClanahan and Lauren McChesney purchased Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre, America's oldest drive-in movie theater. Today, it brings in nearly $550,000 a year. Here's how much it costs to run.
Youtube views: 3M+
Wall Street veteran Charles Coristine bought LesserEvil, a failing snack company, in 2011. Now a profitable business known primarily for its coconut oil popcorn, it brought in $103 million in gross sales in 2023. Here's how Coristine is turning LesserEvil into a household name.
Youtube views: 640K+
In 2023, Abby Price hosted a two-day embroidery pop-up at Abbode, her New York home decor shop. The event's success inspired Price to completely replace Abbode's business model, and now it sells customizable embroidered products and embroidery services. In 2024, Abbode brought in $1.59 million in total sales.
Youtube views: 500K+
What was once a favorite of dads across America is suddenly a fashion-forward brand in its own right. New Balance now has faster-growing sales than larger rivals Nike and Adidas, and fans range from Hailey Bieber to Kawhi Leonard. Here's how New Balance became a must-have for sneakerheads and dads alike.
Youtube views: 1.7M+
Jenny Lei, 28, is the founder and CEO of Freja, a company that sells work totes, shoulder purses and travel accessories. The 4-year-old startup brought in more than $9 million in revenue over the last 12 months, including $2 million in profit. Here's how Lei built a trendsetting brand, despite her lack of experience in the industry.
Youtube Views: 1.7M+
Jamal Robinson, 40, retired early in 2024 after saving almost a $4 million nest egg. He held positions at companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon. Today, Jamal lives as an American expat in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Here's how he spends his money.
Youtube views: 1.6M+
Established in 1913, Stanley has been supplying drinkware to blue-collar workers and outdoor enthusiasts for over a century. However, in 2019, with the relaunch of their Quencher, they attracted a new audience, propelling the 110-year-old company to seemingly overnight success. Since 2019, driven by the Quencher's popularity, Stanley's annual sales have surged from $73 million to a projected $750 million in 2023.
Youtube views: 900K+
Olipop has skyrocketed to prominence in the multibillion-dollar soda market with its healthy prebiotic soda. Leading the way to this success are the founders of Olipop, Ben Goodwin and David Lester. Learn how they turned a $100,000 investment into a multimillion-dollar soda company.
Youtube Views: 970K+
Over the past 15 years, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream has grown from a single ice cream truck to a nationwide chain of scoop shops. Leading this mission was none other than the co-founder and CEO, Ben Van Leeuwen, armed with a vision to completely shake up the ice cream industry with freshness and top-notch quality.
Youtube views: 1.6M+