Jacob Trebil

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Jacob Trebil

Cobra Kendama

At 13, I started a Kendama company & sold 1,000+ units

YEAR

2013-2019

Overview

At 13, I founded Cobra Kendama. I handmade 16+ prototypes, partnered with a Chinese manufacturer, and borrowed $7k to launch. It flopped - I sold just 1 in the first week. I decided I had to master online marketing, and over the next few years generated millions of views, sold 1,000+ Kendamas, and placed 3rd in the Kendama World Championship in Japan.

Problem &
Solution

I decided to start a Kendama company despite no experience and no connections, as a kid. I learned how to woodwork and started hand making prototypes in my garage… I made over 16 prototypes and tested each myself for weeks to iterate towards a great product. Next, I had to find a Chinese manufacturer to scale production. I'd stay up all night talking to Chinese manufacturers. I was ready for a massive launch. We launched - and only sold 1 Kendama in the first week.

Results &
Roadmap

I wouldn't let my dream die - so I decided to become great at online marketing. The effort paid off. Cobra Kendama grew into a global community of enthusiasts - our videos amassed over one million organic views, we sold more than 1,000 units worldwide, and we built a team of some of the top Kendama players in the world. I got so good at Kendama myself that I traveled to the Kendama World Championship in Japan and placed 3rd in the world at Freestyle Kendama. More than just a successful product, this experience taught me to move fast, embrace failure as feedback, and to be relentlessly resourceful - lesson I carry into every new venture.