Burton Snowboards: Jake Carpenter (2017)
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.