Jesslyn Rollins began her entrepreneurial career in 2017 selling BIOLYTE out of the back of her Toyota Highlander. Today, she is CEO of the company, which is on track to earn more than $20 million in revenue this year.
Rollins’ father, Dr. Luther C. “Trey” Rollins III, developed BIOLYTE, an electrolyte-rich rehydration drink, when her mother, Jeannine, was undergoing chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Today, the drink — which the company compares to “an IV in a bottle” — is a popular choice for alleviating symptoms of severe dehydration, since it delivers 6.5 times the electrolytes of other leading sports drinks.
“BIOLYTE is built for making people feel better, whether they’re an athlete, someone undergoing cancer treatments or someone simply feeling a bit under the weather,” Jesslyn Rollins said.
Rollins was promoted to CEO of the company at age 27, when it was a $3.4 million enterprise with just three employees. Under her leadership, BIOLYTE has grown to 20 employees and experienced 1,052% revenue growth over the past three years. It is now a leading national brand, with a presence at more than 4,000 big-box retailers, such as Kroger, Publix and Target, across 21 states. In 2022, BIOLYTE landed the 605th position in the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies.
At BIOLYTE, Rollins has created a company culture that prides itself on giving back. In tribute to its origins, BIOLYTE makes routine donations to the American Cancer Society and breast cancer support organizations across the country.
“There is no ‘guide’ to being the best CEO or an exact right way to lead, but one of the most important attributes of a leader, especially in business, I believe, is this: Play to your strengths, and hire for your weaknesses,” Rollins said.
Named one of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 award winners in 2022, Rollins “leads BIOLYTE fearlessly, with a goal of getting it into the hands of those who need it, no matter where they are,” her team said.
Rollins is an active member and volunteer at Northside Methodist Church and an active alumni volunteer and donor supporter for her alma maters, The Lovett School, College of Charleston and University of Georgia. A founding member of the Vistage Atlanta Chapter, she energetically seeks out opportunities to network with other entrepreneurs and business leaders throughout the city.
Thanks to her background in theater and her love of stand-up comedy, Rollins is a gifted and in-demand public speaker. She was the featured speaker at the 2022 BevNET Live, the nation’s leading conference for beverage industry brands and professionals, and she has frequently led presentations on business and entrepreneurship for students and alumni at the University of Georgia.
