Purpose-Driven Marketing: BioBobbers by Rian Jacobs

The winner of Jay Tank, Creighton University’s Entrepreneurship Club’s version of Shark Tank, Rian Jacobs, has reeled in both attention and admiration for her innovative startup, BioBobbers, officially launched on March 1st, 2025. From a young age, Rian showed signs of being a true entrepreneur and displayed a business mindset. However, it wasn’t until her senior year of high school that her passion for fishing hit a roadblock due to her growing concern for the planet. The result was a fantastic idea: 100% biodegradable fishing bobbers, created using sustainable 3D printing technology.

Rian came to a simple realization: fishing is fun, but the plastic waste left behind is not. She did the math and discovered that over her 16 years of fishing, she had lost 288 plastic bobbers to streams, lakes, and rivers. Multiply that by just 2% of the nearly 58 million recreational fishers in the U.S. That means over two million plastic bobbers are sitting in our waterways. That’s two million pieces of pollution that don’t decompose. BioBobbers was Rian’s answer. Her biodegradable bobbers break down naturally and double as educational tools for the next generation of fishers. By teaching kids about sustainability through the gear they use, she’s creating a ripple effect. 

Rian’s marketing strategy is as smart as her product. Her social media presence is clean and mission-driven. Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok are all platforms that have BioBobbers' content. Whether it’s showcasing how the bobbers work, highlighting the importance of clean waterways, or sharing tips for sustainable fishing, she’s using every platform. Instagram and Facebook are where the brand shines with behind-the-scenes peeks at product development and educational posts on sustainability. Rian plans to start TikTok this summer when she has more time to fish without the craziness of the school year.

BioBobbers isn’t just about catching fish; it’s about grabbing attention for a cleaner, brighter, more sustainable future. Buy a BioBobber or learn more about the mission at biobobbers.com, and follow the journey on Instagram at @biobobbers.

By Grace Clements