# Solo Stove: Spencer and Jeff Jan

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-08-14
- Length: 1h 01m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan

## Summary

Spencer and Jeff Jan, co-founders of Solo Stove, explain how they grew a DIY camping stove project into a nine-figure brand by leveraging Amazon, Kickstarter, and strategic retail partnerships. They detail their journey from sourcing mattresses in Shanghai to identifying the smokeless fire pit opportunity, overcoming manufacturing hurdles with a Chinese factory, and navigating the transition from a two-person operation to a scalable company. The brothers discuss their resistance to hiring, the eventual need for leadership to make the business sellable, and their unique path to two private equity exits and an IPO, ultimately achieving their goal of financial freedom.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan#t=0) Introduction: Spencer and Jeff Jan and Solo Stove
- [3:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan#t=203) Spencer's Sourcing Background and Early Side Hustles
- [8:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan#t=510) The Mattress Business and E-commerce Lessons
- [19:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan#t=1157) Finding the Solo Stove Concept and Manufacturing
- [31:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan#t=1867) Launch, Growth, and the Reality of Scaling
- [45:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan#t=2701) Building a Sellable Company and Hiring Leadership
- [53:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-08-14-solo-stove-spencer-and-jeff-jan#t=3208) Exits, IPO, and Life After Solo Stove

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Solo Stove (product)
- Amazon (company)
- Kickstarter (company)
- REI (company)
- Slumbermax (product)
- Fox Outfitters (product)
- U.S. Bank (company)
- Claris Glassboards (company)

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## Citing this page

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