F*cked Around and Built an Agency

Drew O’Brien never wanted to run an agency. He wanted to be a creative director in New York City. The modern day Don Draper, minus the misogyny and the alcoholism.

Hardwired

Born and raised in Queens before moving to New Jersey in elementary school, shaped by the energy and grit of New York City. Sports taught him discipline and how to show up. Art gave him a way to make sense of everything else. From sketching at the kitchen table to four years of graphic design in high school, creativity was never a hobby. It was hardwired.

The Worst Day of His Life

By 2017, he had the dream job. Art Director at FanDuel. Sports and design under one roof. Nine months in, FanDuel and DraftKings attempted a merger. Mass layoffs followed. Newly engaged, first time condo owner, real bills, no safety net. The worst day of his life. Until it became the biggest blessing he could have ever asked for.

The Accidental Agency

Drew freelanced. He hustled. He said yes to projects and figured them out along the way. What started as survival turned into something bigger than any creative director role ever could have been. Years later, that accidental agency has built brands for NBA champions, James Beard caliber chefs, national media companies, and founders across every industry. Getting laid off was the best thing that ever happened to him.

The People Behind the Work

Today, Make Cool Sh*t is still Drew’s vision, but a full team stands behind every build, each playing a critical role in the work that goes out the door. Plus our development partners at Handbook, Rob Jones and Patrick Fien, who engineer the digital experiences that bring these brands to life online, including the site you’re on right now. We push you to be braver than you think you need to be. That’s what separates the brands that blend in from the ones that kick doors down.

Drew Outside the Studio

He’s a dad. A partner. A guy from Queens who ended up in Jersey and never lost the edge. When he’s not building brands, he’s playing in a men’s soccer league and still taking it way too seriously. Sketching and painting for fun. Designing things nobody asked for. The creative never turns off. Always forward. Forward always.