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2023 – The Opportunity and the Setback
In 2023, DailyAdventureBox operated at four hotels and one bayside restaurant on Pensacola Beach, Florida. That year, we were offered a partnership with ASSA ABLOY and August Lock Company, which appeared to be a game-changing opportunity. They sent us a partnership agreement, and on the strength of their promises, we raised $550,000 and built our entire platform—both software and hardware—around the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
Our solution quickly proved itself: we earned five-star ratings on iOS and Android, and hotels loved what we offered. But behind the scenes, ASSA ABLOY was embroiled in a Department of Justice lawsuit forcing them to sell August and Yale Lock. They failed to disclose this while encouraging us to keep investing in development throughout 2023. When our founder begged them to at least grandfather in a few hundred locks to give us a chance to recover and transition, they flatly refused.
2024 – The Fight to Survive
In December 2023, ASSA ABLOY offered a weak compromise: to “grandfather” only 32 operational locks—far too few to sustain revenue, recode our app, redesign our lockers, or reconfigure existing ones. When we pushed for more, they stalled. After a demand letter, they told us the only path forward was to buy another type of lock and reinvest into the partnership—essentially abandoning their earlier promises.
In short, a Fortune 500 company told a small, veteran- and family-owned business they would bankrupt us before honoring their commitments. Our founder fought back but had to pivot. He redesigned the lockers, and to reduce costs, he signed away 25% of the company to our app development firm. The year was spent locked in a battle for survival and reinvention.
2025 – Rebuilding from the Ashes
By 2025, DailyAdventureBox was nearly ready to operate again. We redesigned and remanufactured our lockers, making them lighter, smaller, capable of offering more equipment, and built from mostly recycled materials. Our app has been restored and is now being enhanced beyond its original capabilities, incorporating lessons learned during our two-year setback.
The financial toll has been severe. The company’s funds have been drained, and now the founder’s family is withdrawing from retirement and savings accounts to keep the dream alive. Yet, three powerful lessons have emerged:
1. Never trust a Fortune 500 company to protect your interests. Greed and corruption often outweigh integrity.
2. Never stop fighting for what you love. When hope and money are gone, persistence and ingenuity remain. •
3. Failure teaches as much as success. Without risk, there is no growth.
2026 and Beyond – The Return to Growth
Despite every obstacle, we are full steam ahead into 2026. We already have five signed contracts for installation, plus 20 contracts pending across six East Coast states. Most importantly, we have secured a military contract with MCCS Camp Lejeune and will soon be installing lockers at Camp Lejeune, Camp Johnson, and New River Air Station in North Carolina.
The public is about to see the true potential of DailyAdventureBox—not only for the convenience of renting gear, but for the community and vision we are building.
A Note on Dedication
Throughout this journey, our founder was simultaneously serving in the United States Marine Corps. He left a flight contract to pursue this opportunity, transitioned to a Logistics Officer, and continues to serve on active duty today.
This company has been built on dedication, perseverance, and passion—quite literally through blood, sweat, and tears.
This company has been built on dedication, perseverance, and passion—quite literally through blood, sweat, and tears.
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