Jack Owoc – ‘I Am ENERGY'
Bloomberg Businessweek US|October 10, 2022
Jack Owoc—entrepreneur, frequent litigant, Florida Man—didn’t just invent the energy drink Bang, he embodies it. Now his caffeine empire is teetering
By Anders Melin
Jack Owoc – ‘I Am ENERGY'

The applause had died down by the time Jack Owoc mounted the stage in a Manhattan conference venue in June, a microphone in one hand, an energy shot in the other. He moved in to fist-bump the outstretched palm of the moderator, then sidestepped him. Four hundred pairs of eyes surveyed the billionaire. He wore a shiny Renaissance-meets-Miaminightclub blazer, an even shinier button-up, New Balance sneakers, and a joyless expression. Slung around his neck were two thick gold chains, and on his chest rested a big, bedazzled lowercase B—the logo of his company, Bang Energy. Through his veins coursed the caffeine equivalent of about nine cups of coffee.

“God bless you guys,” Owoc said. “Look, we’ve got to take this up a notch so can I ask everybody to stand up, please, because this is Bang Energy, I exude energy, I am energy.”

He flashed a faint smile. A handful of people clapped. One lone voice hollered.

“I need you to take out your Bang and take a sip because we got to get up the energy level in here,” Owoc said. He motioned to the crowd. By their feet were 16-ounce cans of Bang: the source of Owoc’s fortune and perhaps the most improbable success story in the beverage industry. Each has enough caffeine to make a heart race an entire afternoon.

“Let’s all have a Bang together,” Owoc said and took a swig from his shot.

This story is from the October 10, 2022 edition of Bloomberg Businessweek US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 10, 2022 edition of Bloomberg Businessweek US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK USView All
Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Instagram's Founders Say It's Time for a New Social App

The rise of AI and the fall of Twitter could create opportunities for upstarts

time-read
4 mins  |
March 13, 2023
Running in Circles
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Running in Circles

A subscription running shoe program aims to fight footwear waste

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort
Bloomberg Businessweek US

What I Learned Working at a Hawaiien Mega-Resort

Nine wild secrets from the staff at Turtle Bay, who have to manage everyone from haughty honeymooners to go-go-dancing golfers.

time-read
10 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto
Bloomberg Businessweek US

How Noma Will Blossom In Kyoto

The best restaurant in the world just began its second pop-up in Japan. Here's what's cooking

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
The Last-Mover Problem
Bloomberg Businessweek US

The Last-Mover Problem

A startup called Sennder is trying to bring an extremely tech-resistant industry into the age of apps

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Tick Tock, TikTok
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Tick Tock, TikTok

The US thinks the Chinese-owned social media app is a major national security risk. TikTok is running out of ways to avoid a ban

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Cleaner Clothing Dye, Made From Bacteria

A UK company produces colors with less water than conventional methods and no toxic chemicals

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Pumping Heat in Hamburg
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Pumping Heat in Hamburg

The German port city plans to store hot water underground and bring it up to heat homes in the winter

time-read
3 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge
Bloomberg Businessweek US

Sustainability: Calamari's Climate Edge

Squid's ability to flourish in warmer waters makes it fitting for a diet for the changing environment

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023
New Money, New Problems
Bloomberg Businessweek US

New Money, New Problems

In Naples, an influx of wealthy is displacing out-of-towners lower-income workers

time-read
4 mins  |
March 20 - 27, 2023