Biz Buzz: Local man selling coolers for a cause in new business venture - East Idaho News
Biz Buzz

Biz Buzz: Local man selling coolers for a cause in new business venture

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Marco Rebaza of Blackfoot recently launched an online cooler business. Learn more about the product in the video player above. | Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

Do you want to know what’s happening in the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered. Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.

BIZ BUZZ

BLACKFOOT

New cooler business provides resources for cops and military members

Courtesy Marco Rebaza

BLACKFOOT — Marco Rebaza of Blackfoot is a former combat medic in the Utah Army National Guard and he wants to help give something back to members of the military and local law enforcement with a new business venture.

He recently launched Cooler Brothers, an online business that offers high-end coolers for customers. The gray root-molded coolers are 32 inches long, 19 inches wide and 18 and a half inches tall. They weigh about 40 pounds and hold 75 quarts. What sets these coolers apart from others, according to Rebaza, is their structural rigidity.

“It has a reinforced lid across the top that will hold in excess of 500 pounds. I imagine the whole cooler itself, if the weight is distributed evenly, will easily exceed 1,000 pounds,” Rebaza tells EastIdahoNews.com.

Rebaza demonstrates the strength of the cooler in the second video above.

In addition, Rebaza says all the features of the cooler offer more value to customers at a much lower price than competing products. Learn more in the first video above.

Rebaza formed the business in September, but the website just went live last week. Since the launch of the website, Rebaza says there’s been a positive response.

“I’ve had a couple sales,” says Rebaza.

The opportunity to “do something good for the world” is what Rebaza is most excited about.

“I want to be able to leave a positive impact and be good for people’s communities. It’s really sad to see some of the bad things law enforcement has done but they don’t deserve to be treated the way that they are in some of these large cities. We want to support them, but we want to give them the resources to do their job right and that was the motivation behind this,” Rebaza says.

Ten percent of the proceeds from each cooler sold goes towards providing those resources. Rebaza is working with a friend in the Utah Highway Patrol and others to help identify specific needs for the armed forces.

“I want to stretch the dollar as far as possible. I don’t want to just give it to organizations, where 30% of that money is used for the actual cause. I want to put every dollar that we get for military and law enforcement to be used for military and law enforcement,” he says.

He started a Facebook group so customers can see where their money goes and how it’s used.

Rebaza’s background in the military makes it a cause that’s near and dear to his heart. His business partner, Stephen Woolf, also has a military background. Woolf graduated from Annapolis Naval Base and spent a lot of time in combat.

“I’m grateful for my service, but I don’t consider myself a veteran (because I didn’t see any combat),” Rebaza says. “He is definitely the veteran in this veteran-owned business.”

Rebaza’s interest in coolers stemmed from a conversation he had about commercial freezers with industry professionals. He later learned Woolf was looking for some coolers for his butcher shop (which you’ll hear more about in an upcoming story at EastIdahoNews.com). Rebaza’s new connections to the industry, combined with the duo’s support of and background in the military, prompted them to start a business together.

“Without any reservations, (Stephen) jumped on board to be a part of the business because he liked the mission and so that’s what we’re about,” Rebaza says.

Though the coolers are currently only available in one size and color, Rebaza says he’s hoping to introduce a 40-quart cooler in the near future, along with more color varieties in each size. He’s selling products online exclusively right now, but he’d like to branch out and sell coolers at local events.

“Depending on how COVID progresses with the vaccinations and stuff, there’s a good chance we’re going to go to local fairs and farmer’s markets,” he says.

Rebaza will personally deliver coolers to customers who live between Pocatello and Rigby. Those who live in eastern Idaho can use the code “local” to get $25 off their purchase. Visit the website to learn more.

BIZ BITS

Local venue hosting first live concert since COVID-19 next month

FORT HALL – The Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel is excited to announce that live entertainment is returning to Fort Hall in May. Queensrÿche will be performing in the Chiefs Event Center on Friday, May 21 at 8 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. to allow for safe seating. Due to physical distancing protocols, limited tickets are available, and will go on sale on Friday, April 16 at 10 a.m. The band’s name is uttered in the same breath as many of the groups they looked to as influences and others who arose as peers. Queensrÿche built a dedicated legion of fans traveling the globe on tour with fellow rock giants like Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, Judas Priest, and Def Leppard. In recent years, they have consistently delivered high-octane live shows combining the hungry fire of a new band with the tempered experience of master showmen. Even with eleven gold and platinum plaques and a several Top 10 hard rock anthems woven into the very fiber of the genre, Queensrÿche will not relent. In fact, they are in the throes of a jaw-dropping creative resurgence. Information regarding entertainment and tickets may be found here. Due to current concerns, the Casino Hotel is open with processes and protocols implemented for the health and safety of guests, and team members. They are in effect until further notice. More information regarding safety protocols are available online.

Local utility looking to fill 3 seats on its board

ASHTON – Three positions on the nine-member Fall River Electric Cooperative board of directors are set for election this year, including District 1, Rexburg/Ririe area; District 5, west Driggs/Tetonia area; and District 6, the Ashton area. The Co-op’s board is responsible for providing strategic direction for the future of the Cooperative. If you are an owner/member (customer) of the Co-op living in any of those three districts and are interested in serving on the board, nomination by petition is currently open. To have your name placed on the official ballot, interested members are to submit a petition with their name on it accompanied by 15 signatures of members who also reside in the district. Deadline to submit petitions is Monday, April 26. If you are interested in submitting a petition to be a candidate, please contact Fall River’s CEO Bryan Case at (208) 652-7431 or by email at bryan.case@fallriverelectric.com.

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

SUGAR CITY

Local business owner enjoys providing ‘top notch jerky’ for customers in eastern Idaho

SUGAR CITY – If you ask customers about the products offered at a local jerky business, many of them will tell you the product is “top-notch.”

And that phrase is part of its name.

Top Notch Jerky opened in December at 450 North Frontage Road just off U.S. Highway 20 in Sugar City.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.

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