Craig Jacobs, CEC
AOS Montpelier 6/88
Entrepreneur, Splash Tropical Drinks

Craig Jacobs has never forgotten the evaluation a NECI chef-instructor gave him in his first class more than fifteen years ago. "Craig has excelled in this class," the evaluation said, 'but he needs to remember he is not running it."

Today, Craig runs his own show as the CEO and co-founder of six-year-old Splash Tropical Drinks in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, a multi-million-dollar company shaking up the fruit mix category of the beverage industry. Wherever folks are basking in the sun, taking it easy, and downing sweet concoctions with little umbrellas, Craig's products are there.

"Think of all the people getting married, going on their honeymoons," he says. "I like to say we don't sell fruit mixes, we sell happiness and memories."

It's been a wild ride for a business that he started out of his house. Last fall the company scored a major coup when they were part of the first trade show of American agricultural businesses in Cuba in 41 years. Jacobs predicts that Cuba will be a major market for his company. "When they tasted our frozen mojito mix," he says, "they were dancing in the aisles."

Craig lives in Plantation, Florida, with his wife, dog and tropical fish. He raises exotic orchids in his gardens. He and his business partner love their matching gold Lexuses. "I take care of lots of living things," he says. "I work in my shorts. There's nothing else I'd rather be doing."

www.splashdrinks.com