The West Virginia Hive has selected Dr. Marcus Thomas, owner of Fat Bottom Coolers, as its 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year. Each year, the entrepreneurial arm of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority (NRGRDA) recognizes top performing Hive clients in a number of categories.
“Marcus is a thinker, an inventor and a bit of a perfectionist,” said Judy Moore, executive director of the WV Hive and deputy director of the NRGRDA. “He had an idea for a product that would revolutionize an industry and enhance customers’ active lifestyles. All of us at the Hive have enjoyed working with him and seeing his innovative curvy design come to life.”
Fat Bottom Coolers was born three years ago when Thomas became annoyed with strapping and unstrapping traditional coolers while enjoying rafting, riding, and hiking outdoors in the New River Gorge region. The fat bottom design is essential, and many prototypes and manufacturers were explored before Thomas was satisfied with the design.
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