Building a $65M eCommerce Empire and Dugout Mugs with Kris Dehnert

What if turning a simple idea into a one-of-a-kind gift for baseball fans could spark a multimillion-dollar business?

In this episode, Kris Dehnert, founder of Dehnert Media Group and CEO of Dugout Mugs®, shares lessons from 15 years of entrepreneurship across multiple industries including real estate, apparel, affiliate marketing, and eCommerce. With more than $65 million in online sales and partnerships with some of the biggest names in baseball, Kris reveals the mindset, strategies, and resilience that fueled his journey.

From humble beginnings naming his first company after himself to scaling Dugout Mugs® into a brand officially licensed by MLB, MiLB, MLBPA, and the Hall of Fame, Kris’s story is one of creativity, grit, and seizing opportunity. Today, he consults with businesses on sales, marketing, and social media while continuing to bet big on ventures and owners with vision.

[00:03:39] – $65 Million in Online Sales

• Breaking down the path to surpassing $65M.

• The marketing approaches that fueled growth.

• Balancing consulting with full-scale business building.

[00:09:31] – Finding Diamonds in the Rough

• Spotting visionary owners with scalable ideas.

• Why Kris sometimes goes “all in” as a partner.

• How he evaluates whether a business can become a unicorn.

[00:13:40] – The Dugout Mugs® Story

• The origin of the Dugout Mugs® concept.

• Turning a baseball bat into a mug.

• Early challenges and breakthroughs.

[00:19:00] – Scaling with Licensing Deals

• How Dugout Mugs® secured official MLB, MiLB, MLBPA, and Hall of Fame partnerships.

• Recognition from major baseball organizations.

• Building credibility through licensing.

[00:24:18] – Lessons in Leadership and Growth

• Simplifying operations while scaling.

• Why consistency beats complexity.

• Balancing multiple ventures as a founder.

[00:29:00] – Mindset Shifts for Entrepreneurs

• Learning to adapt when plans don’t work.

• Keeping focus in the face of setbacks.

• The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.

[00:34:00] – Giving Back and Mentorship

• What drives Kris today beyond revenue.

• Why collaboration and mentorship matter.

• Helping the next generation of entrepreneurs.

[00:38:20] – Advice for Entrepreneurs

• How to spot the right opportunities.

• Knowing when to pivot versus when to double down.

• The role of resilience in long-term success.

Key Quotes

• “My goal is simple: help businesses do what they’re doing, better than they are currently doing it.” — Kris Dehnert

• “Sometimes you find a diamond in the rough, a business with potential and an owner with vision — and in those cases, I go all in.” — Kris Dehnert

• “Creativity, grit, and resilience are what turn ideas into multimillion-dollar ventures.” — Kris Dehnert

 Connect with Kris Dehnert

🔗 Facebook 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Dugout Mugs

 

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