Bullets2Bandages was founded in 2011 when Erik Spalding and Cole Evans, former Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers, were roommates in San Diego. Evans’ “aha moment” came when he was cleaning up equipment and a bullet fell from his body armor and rolled onto his dog tag. He snapped a photo and Facebook commenters wanted to know where they could get themselves a cool necklace just like it.
West Coaster spoke with current sales manager Eric Montgomery to learn more about the business.
WC: How did you get involved with craft breweries?
B2B: One of our previous offices was just a few doors down from Mission Brewery, so lining up our first craft beer retailer for our bullet bottle openers sort of came out of convenience for both of us. Now we sell to about 70 breweries across the United States including Mission, Ironfire, Dos Desperados, New English, Iron Fist, Knee Deep, Big Sky, Cigar City, Rahr and Sons, and Young Veterans Brewing Co, as well as big-box retailers like Cabela’s and the Navy Exchange and Marine Corps Exchange.
WC: Can you tell us more about your business?
B2B: We’re 100% veteran-owned and managed, and since the beginning we’ve donated at least 15% of our annual profits to veteran charities. In 2014 our donations turned out to be more than 60% of our profits. For the charity products on our page we donate 40% off the retail value of each sale back to the charity. Many of the partners we work with are San Diego-based or have offices in San Diego.
Also, our bottle openers are 100% made and sourced in the USA from once-fired military grade brass casings, and all the manufacturing/packaging/production steps occur either in our Mission Gorge office or in a handful of machine shops within 15 minutes of here. For the holiday season we brought on another person to help manage orders.
WC: Where do you see future growth?
B2B: Over the last two years, .50 Cal Bottle Openers for groomsmen have been really, really popular. We don’t see that slowing down, since we don’t have minimum requirements for custom orders.
WC teamed up with Bullets2Bandages to create a custom WC .50 Caliber Bottle Opener, available here.