Michigan Teen’s Cornhole Business Expands From Basement Startup to 10-Employee Factory

Ross O'Donnell launched Blast Cornhole at 17 out of his parents' basement. He's grown it into a 7,000-square-foot factory in Wixom with 10 workers. The 26-year-old Novi High School grad ships cornhole boards and bags across the country from 47900 West Rd.

It started when O'Donnell decided to build a set for himself.

"We ended up having enough material for two sets, so we put the other up for sale and had numerous people reach," O'Donnell said, according to MLive. "So, we got more lumber and made more sets. The side hobby turned into a full time job."

O'Donnell ran the company while studying entrepreneurship at Western Michigan University. His father and other team members help produce everything on-site.

Wood cutters fill the factory. There's a sanding room and a print room too. Blast Cornhole cranks out roughly 10 sets each day, and buyers have ordered from places as distant as Alaska.

Shoppers pick from ready-made boards showing the Detroit skyline or local sports teams. Custom work uses wedding photos or pictures of pets.

"We have in-house designers so we can basically bring any idea to life," O'Donnell said.

Blast Cornhole teamed up with the American Cornhole Organization to manufacture tournament-grade bags. These bags have speeds of 6 on one side and 9 on the other. Lower numbers slide more slowly.

"If you throw with more of an arc, you will want more of a faster bag. If you throw straighter, you will want a slower bag," said O'Donnell.

Regulation boards run $280 per pair. Graphics get printed straight onto wood, which stops peeling or fading. Custom designs tack on $10 to $20 based on how complicated they are.

Professional resin-filled bags sell for $70 for four. All-weather bags for casual players cost $40 for eight. Both boards and bags can be customized.

"If you pay the shipping, we will send it," O'Donnell said.