Meet Sidney Graybill, M.B.A.

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sidney Graybill, M.B.A a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sidney, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience – the number one factor that makes or breaks people – let alone entrepreneurs.
How many times can you pick yourself up, shake it off, and keep walking with your head held high?
How many times can you be told no, laughed at, put down, judged, but still tell yourself “that’s ok, next.”?
How long can you dedicate your time, money, and all of your resources towards your dream?

People will spend 30+ years working for someone else – sacrificing freedom, valuable time with their families, ability to swipe their card without looking at the price tag, but they won’t sacrifice 5 years to gain their dream life.
For me it was a no brainer to give my 20s to my 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and God willing into my 100s.
Yes, I had and still have sacrifices because I’m only in year 3, but those sacrifices are partying, nice things, and extravagant vacations.
Throughout this journey I’ve learned to work hard, but think harder. It’s all mental. I still have time for me, my friends, and my family – the invaluable relationships in my life.
The ‘things’ will come in a few years.

People ask what keeps me going through the growing pain days? When I feel like I physically cannot pull myself off of the bathroom floor? When I have to show up for my team even though I don’t know how I’m going to pay my mortgage?
My skull has been cracked in 3 places.
My brain has bled in 2 places.
My body has experienced pain that doesn’t make me fear child birth one day, as much as I used to.
A few months after this freak accident landed me on my deathbed at the age of 24 in the trauma ICU, I moved 1,300 miles away from my family to follow my dreams.
As if it wasn’t enough for my body to be broken, my soul and heart were soon broken after moving from my small hallmark home town in Pennsylvania to St Petersburg Florida.
I moved in with a boyfriend for the first time ever – this quickly became unsafe.
“Sidney, if I come back here, I’ll be taking you away in a body bag.” – St Petersburg Police Woman.
At that point I found myself homeless – couch surfing my way through Tampa Bay – not the type of surfing I thought I’d be doing there.
Soon, I moved to Orlando FL to start over again.
I opened Dual Drinks LLC and Women Above Power Inc.
Dual has been an idea I have had for a decade. I finally went for it. I’ve built the foundation of the team, our systems, and IP.
Our Non Profit launched this year helping other women with similar tributes I have experienced.
Dual Drinks will officially launch Q1 of 2025.

I am grateful for these life experiences. It’s why I succeed. It’s why I am resilient.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

At Dual Drinks, we are redefining convenience and sustainability with our flagship product, the Dual Tumbler, a patent-pending innovation set to hit the market in 2025. The Dual Tumbler is designed to simplify and elevate daily routines by allowing users to carry both hot and cold beverages simultaneously—a solution that combines functionality, style, and eco-consciousness. It’s more than a product; it’s a lifestyle upgrade for people on the go.
What makes this journey special for me as the CEO and Founder is seeing a decade-long idea transform into a tangible reality. Dual Drinks was born from a vision to create something functional yet unique, and with the support of an incredible team, we’ve built the foundation for not just a product, but a movement. We are also thrilled to align our business with meaningful change through our nonprofit, Women Above Power Inc., which launched this year to empower and support women who have overcome similar challenges to those I’ve faced.
Resilience has been at the core of building Dual Drinks. I believe the entrepreneurial journey is as much about personal growth as it is about business success. This journey started with a traumatic accident that left me hospitalized and grappling with the unknown. I emerged from that experience determined to push forward, despite facing heartbreak, homelessness, and the overwhelming odds stacked against me.
Dual Drinks reflects this resilience. It represents the countless “no’s,” the sacrifices, and the growing pains of building something from the ground up. What makes this brand exciting is that it’s not just about selling a product—it’s about inspiring others to embrace their journeys, to believe in their dreams, and to take bold steps toward making them happen.
With the Dual Tumbler preparing to enter the market, 2025 is going to be a monumental year for us. We are eager to connect with people who value innovation, sustainability, and empowerment. Dual Drinks isn’t just a company; it’s a testament to the power of resilience, vision, and community.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, strategic thinking, and relationship-building. These traits have shaped not only my path as an entrepreneur but also the foundation of Dual Drinks.
1. Resilience
Resilience has been the cornerstone of my success. The ability to pick yourself up after setbacks, to hear “no” repeatedly but still move forward, and to keep going even when the odds feel insurmountable has been invaluable. For anyone starting their journey, my advice is simple: embrace the challenges. View them not as roadblocks but as opportunities to grow stronger. Cultivate a mindset that every obstacle is temporary and that persistence always pays off. Maintain a mindset of gratitude.
2. Strategic Thinking
While hard work is important, thinking harder is what drives results. Building Dual Drinks taught me to prioritize efficiency, planning, and focusing on the long-term vision. I had to learn to step back, assess situations from every angle, and make deliberate choices about where to invest my time, energy, and resources. For those early in their journey, I recommend constantly asking yourself, “How do I respond to this, not react?” Read, learn, and surround yourself with mentors or resources that challenge you to think critically and strategically.
3. Relationship-Building
No journey is a solo effort. The ability to connect with others, build genuine relationships, and collaborate has been a game-changer. Whether it’s forming partnerships, leaning on mentors, or creating a supportive team, the people you surround yourself with can make or break your success. My advice? Start building relationships now. Network authentically, ask for help when you need it, and offer help whenever you can. Long-term success is often rooted in the strength of the relationships you’ve nurtured along the way.
For anyone just starting out, I’d emphasize the importance of balance. Be persistent, but don’t burn yourself out. Think big, but take practical steps daily. Build relationships, but stay true to your values and vision. Success is a marathon, not a sprint like social media fools you into believing – by focusing on these core areas, you’ll set yourself up for long-term impact and growth.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was create a foundation of love, values, and unwavering support that has shaped every part of who I am today.
My parents’ story is one of resilience and devotion. They grew up together in a small town in Pennsylvania, meeting in middle school and starting their lifelong journey as high school sweethearts. Despite having very little, my dad always treated my mom like the queen she is—driving her everywhere, making decisions with her in mind, and eventually buying and fixing up a farmhouse to build a life for our family. Their love and partnership have always been the ideal to me.
Growing up, my sister and I never wanted for anything. My parents worked tirelessly to make sure we were happy, and they built a life full of love, joy, and possibility. I remember riding in the back of my dad’s Dodge Ram truck as he built his car dealership business – my younger sister and I going to all appointments with our drawing books in hand. They made it work, and they figured it out. Not once, did I see or hear them ever even raise their voices at eachother, let alone a hand. Watching their dedication, hard work, and unconditional love for each other and our family instilled values in me that I carry to this day.
They taught me what it means to be thoughtful, generous, and strong. My mom’s love and kindness are my rock, and my dad’s drive and commitment are my blueprint for resilience. Their example is my foundation when it comes to making tough decisions, leading my team, and building my business. Even living far from them now, I find myself guided by the lessons they’ve taught me. They’ve given me the greatest gift: a roadmap for how to live with integrity, work hard, and love deeply.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dualdrinks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dual_drinks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DualDrinks/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dualdrinks/

Image Credits

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