Early Life and Education
Mike Repole was born on January 21, 1969, in Middle Village, Queens, New York. He grew up in a working-class Italian-American family. His father was a waiter and his mother was a seamstress. Growing up, Repole developed a love for sports and business. He attended St. John's University in Queens, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sports management in 1991. Repole was the first person in his family to attend college.
Rise to Success
Repole's career began in sales at Mistic Beverages. He later became Vice President of Sales at Crystal Geyser Water Company. In 1999, he co-founded Glacéau with J. Darius Bikoff. Glacéau produced the popular Vitaminwater and Smartwater brands. By 2007, Glacéau was generating over $1 billion in sales. Coca-Cola acquired the company for $4.1 billion.
In 2011, Repole co-founded BodyArmor, a sports drink that competed with Gatorade and Powerade. BodyArmor secured a significant investment from Kobe Bryant in 2014. Coca-Cola acquired a minority stake in 2018 and completed the acquisition in 2021 for $5.6 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Repole's success can be attributed to several key strategies. He identified opportunities in the beverage industry, creating the enhanced water and premium sports drink categories. He built strong brands through strategic marketing and endorsements, including partnerships with celebrities and athletes. Repole also focused on building strong teams and fostering a culture of innovation within his companies.
Philanthropy
Repole is actively involved in philanthropy through the Nonna's Garden Foundation, established in honor of his grandmother. The foundation has made significant donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University's Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, among other causes.