Young Entrepreneur Turns Pokémon Card Millions Into Asian Energy Drink Company
The saying, “You never know where life will take you,” may be a bit cliché, but it perfectly captures the journey of Jimmy Sun. Once a successful Pokémon card collector, Sun is now the founder of Gleem, an uplifting energy drink brand launched in April 2024. Gleem specializes in Asian fruit-flavored sparkling waters made with only natural ingredients, offering unique flavors like White Peach, Dragon Fruit Mango, Strawberry Yuzu, and Lychee.
“The inspiration to launch Gleem came when I realized that the energy drink market was saturated with the same predictable products, often loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients,” Sun shares. You won’t find any sugar or saturated fat in Gleem’s vibrant 12-ounce cans. In place of questionable additives, there is a nutritious dose of vitamin C, niacin, and biotin, amongst others. They also include 125 milligrams of clean, crash-free caffeine.
Sun believes energizing someone is about more than just caffeine dosage, it’s about bringing joy and lightness to a person’s day. As the website says, “Every sip is a step towards a more playful, energized world.” Its unique blend of ingredients were specially designed to uplift your spirit, enhance focus, and boost immunity.
Gleem’s uplifting ethos reflects Jimmy Sun’s adventurous approach to entrepreneurship—a spirit he’s carried since age 14 and one that seems woven into his DNA. “Growing up in a family-owned business taught me invaluable lessons that I still apply today,” Sun shares. “My parents ran a local grocery store, stocking international products, which sparked my love for underdog foods and beverages.”
Jimmy Sun’s entrepreneurial journey began with TCG Stadium, an online retail store for trading card enthusiasts. At just 17 years old, he launched the business from his parents’ basement and impressively turned it into a seven-figure company by reselling rare Pokémon cards — all within a year. The experience served as a crash course in running a business and laid the foundation for Gleem.
“Watching my first-generation immigrant parents build their business from the ground up instilled in me resilience, hard work, and the importance of community—values that are at the heart of Gleem,” Sun shared proudly.
He says that “sparking joy and excitement” is the common thread between both brands. Gleem offered him the opportunity to create something of his own, though. Initially, Sun was anxious over how people might respond to Asian fruit flavors. By carefully selecting varieties somewhat familiar to western palates, the reception has exceeded his expectations.
“When developing our flavors, I wanted to strike a balance between showcasing the unique tastes of Asian fruits and pairing them with more familiar options. For instance, strawberry yuzu is our take on the classic strawberry lemonade. Familiar, with a twist. It’s a harmony that our current flavor lineup works to strike,” he adds,
As for the future, Gleem has two new flavors set to launch in 2025 and plans to expand to additional retailers. It’s currently available at select locations in New York, New Jersey, California, Indiana, and Tennessee. Visit the website to find it near you. For updates on future happenings follow Gleem on Instagram.
