# Bombas: David Heath and Randy Goldberg

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-09-19
- Length: 1h 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg

## Summary

David Heath and Randy Goldberg, co-founders of Bombas, explain how they identified a gap in the sock market after learning socks are the most requested item at homeless shelters. They leveraged Heath's father's connection to industry veteran Steve Loenthal to develop a high-quality cotton sock with features like a seamless toe and honeycomb arch support through extensive prototyping. The founders bootstrapped the initial launch via an Indiegogo campaign, which raised $140,000, and later secured a deal on Shark Tank with Damon John that provided inventory financing rather than equity. They deliberately avoided venture capital to maintain control, focusing on sustainable growth and profitability, which allowed them to expand into apparel while maintaining their one-for-one donation model.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=0) Introduction: David Heath and Randy Goldberg
- [5:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=308) David Heath's sales background at Cutco
- [11:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=679) Randy Goldberg's career path and copywriting
- [20:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=1203) Meeting at Urban Daddy and early business ideas
- [28:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=1685) The inspiration for Bombas and the one-for-one model
- [33:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=2017) Product development with Steve Loenthal and factory partners
- [40:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=2445) Bootstrapping, naming, and the Indiegogo launch
- [59:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=3554) Venture capital rejection and the Shark Tank deal
- [1:13:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-19-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg#t=4439) Post-Shark Tank growth, profitability, and pandemic response

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Bombas (company)
- Cutco (company)
- Urban Daddy (company)
- Steve Loenthal (other)
- Goldtoe (company)
- Indiegogo (other)
- Shark Tank (other)
- Damon John (other)

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## Citing this page

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