Published on May 15, 2026
Jared Kugel spent over a decade in his family’s tire distribution business, but when he ventured into entrepreneurship, his initial ideas failed to gain traction. In 2017, armed with $100,000 in funding, he began crafting a search engine for tires but soon discovered that the model was outdated. After several setbacks, including a foreclosure notice in late 2018, Kugel found himself at a precipice.
Desperate for a breakthrough, Kugel received a lifeline from NYC angel investors who helped him secure $750,000 in pre-seed funding. This support allowed him to try again, pivoting to road hazard protection. Despite initial interest and strategic partnerships, the business struggled to grow due to reliance on retailer sales, leading Kugel to rethink his strategy once again.
Determined not to give up, Kugel launched Tire Agent, an e-commerce platform designed to sell tires directly to consumers. This time, he struck gold; our sales skyrocketed from $18,000 in the first month to $120,000 . Investors responded positively, believing in the new direction and funding enhancements that improved customer experience.
Today, Tire Agent sees annual revenues exceeding $150 million and has sold over 2 million tires since its inception. Kugel has learned that adapting to market demands is crucial for success, as evidenced 563% revenue growth in five years. His transformation is a powerful testament to resilience and innovation in the face of adversity.
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