Civil Engineer by Day Inventor by Night with Joey Crookshanks

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Joey Crookshanks at Meet Up 64 about his business, Tailgator Outdoors. He’s created a product that turns a Yeti-style cooler into a beverage dispenser, allowing people to keep mixed drinks separate from the rest of the cooler’s contents. He tells me the idea came from wanting a way for him and his wife to enjoy different drinks from the same cooler. This isn’t his first invention—he worked with Marshall and the Robert C. Byrd Institute in 2020, received grant funding, and sold a previous product to a company in Columbus before moving back to West Virginia. He explains the difference between a full patent and a patent pending, and how he’s revisiting that earlier project. Joey says he’s driven by everyday inconveniences and enjoys solving problems through engineering. He balances this creative work with a full-time job as a civil engineer and uses his Marshall connections to secure support and funding. He reminds me that building a product is about solving a real problem and knowing the right people. You can check out his product at tailgatoroutdoors.com.