Hardware Podcasts

Burton Snowboards: Jake Carpenter (2017)

How I Built This · 10 Dec 2018 · 46m

What this episode covers

Jake Carpenter, founder of Burton Snowboards, recounts starting the company in 1977 by handcrafting snowboards in his Vermont barn, financing the venture with an inheritance, and personally selling boards to skeptical ski shops. He details the early struggles of gaining resort access, the strategic decision to sponsor pro rider Craig Kelly to build brand credibility, and the choice to remain private despite the success of competitor Ride. The episode also covers Burton's cultural evolution, the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on working capital, and Carpenter’s personal health battles with cancer and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Most relevant to

founders before launch and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Burton Snowboards, Brunswick, Sims, K2, Ride, FIS, Bradshaw Industries
Products
Snurfer, Guac-Lock

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