# 51 - Jib Hunt CEO of Kemper Snowboards

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2021-03-10
- Length: 45m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-03-10-51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards-6f1

## Summary

Jib Hunt, CEO of Kemper Snowboards, discusses reviving the classic snowboard brand by leveraging 1980s nostalgia and his background in design and marketing. He details the company's transition from a solo operation to hiring its first employee, focusing on direct-to-consumer sales and wholesale distribution. Hunt explains how packaging serves as both a protective measure for high-value boards and a critical branding element, featuring retro graphics and sustainable cardboard end caps. The conversation highlights the strategic decision to bring back classic Kemper graphics while maintaining a distinct, vibrant brand identity in a consolidated market.

## Chapters

- [0:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-03-10-51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards#t=10) Introduction: Jib Hunt and Kemper Snowboards
- [4:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-03-10-51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards#t=240) Jib Hunt's Career: From Pro Rider to Design Director at Burton
- [15:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-03-10-51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards#t=940) Reviving Kember: Nostalgia, Market Gaps, and Brand Strategy
- [24:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-03-10-51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards#t=1488) Scaling Operations: Hiring the First Employee and Managing Growth
- [27:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-03-10-51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards#t=1632) Packaging Strategy: Silent Salesman Cards, Retail Presentation, and Protection
- [35:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-03-10-51-jib-hunt-ceo-of-kemper-snowboards#t=2111) Brand DNA: Retro Graphics, Color Palettes, and Product Roadmap

## Topics

- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Kemper Snowboards (company)
- Burton (company)
- Sims (company)
- Libtech (company)
- Gnu (company)
- Virgin Mobile USA (company)
- Media Math (company)
- Seismic (company)
- Ghost Tree (company)
- Start Engine (other)
- Natural Selection (other)
- X Games (other)
- Shopify (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Burton Snowboards: Jake Carpenter (2017)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-12-10-burton-snowboards-jake-carpenter-2017) (How I Built This)
- [Remembering Jake Burton Carpenter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-21-remembering-jake-burton-carpenter) (How I Built This)
- [Zumiez: Tom Campion](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-02-06-zumiez-tom-campion) (How I Built This)
- [Founder Feature: Jenn Ko of DIME](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-07-11-founder-feature-jenn-ko-of-dime) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Lex Evan of Lexington Bakes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-01-founder-feature-lex-evan-of-lexington-bakes) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

## Citing this page

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