# Bombas: David Heath and Randy Goldberg (2022)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2025-01-13
- Length: 1h 21m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022

## Summary

David Heath and Randy Goldberg, co-founders of Bombas, explain how they disrupted the boring sock industry by combining high-performance design with a one-for-one donation model. They detail their bootstrapped journey, from validating the product with a 'Godfather' of the industry to launching a successful Indiegogo campaign and navigating a life-changing appearance on Shark Tank. The founders discuss their deliberate decision to reject venture capital to maintain profitability and control, ultimately building a quarter-billion-dollar brand that expanded into apparel.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=0) Introduction: David Heath and Randy Goldberg
- [5:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=313) Early Careers: Cutco Sales and Copywriting
- [18:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=1086) Meeting at Urban Daddy and Brainstorming Ideas
- [28:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=1691) The Sock Idea and Product Development
- [43:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=2621) Indiegogo Campaign and Fulfillment
- [1:02:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=3750) Shark Tank Pitch and Renegotiation
- [1:10:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=4212) Post-Shark Tank Growth and Profitability
- [1:15:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-01-13-bombas-david-heath-and-randy-goldberg-2022#t=4512) Pandemic Response and Future Strategy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Bombas (product)
- Indiegogo (tool)
- Shark Tank (other)
- Goldtoe (company)
- Urban Daddy (company)
- Cutco (product)
- Warby Parker (company)
- Tom's (company)
- ClassPass (company)
- Blue Apron (company)
- Nike (company)
- Patagonia (company)
- Lululemon (company)
- Under Armour (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Shopify (tool)
- Salvation Army (company)
- Regalis (company)
- BuildingNeighbors (company)
- Nice Systems (company)

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- [S3 E7: Building Bootstrapped Hardware That Sells with Christian Reed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2026-01-13-s3-e7-building-bootstrapped-hardware-that-sells-with-christian-reed) (The Builder Circle)
- [Turning Customers Into Investors: A Popcorn Brand's Crowdfunding Playbook](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-09-05-turning-customers-into-investors-a-popcorn-brands-crowdfunding-playbook) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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- [#100 Toasting to 100 Episodes of The Startup CPG Podcast with Our Favorite Moments](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-07-25-100-toasting-to-100-episodes-of-the-startup-cpg-podcast-with-our-favorite-moment) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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