Rise of the Ski Bum: Building a Brand in the Crowded Skiing Industry

In this episode, our host Finn sits down with the founder of Glade Optics, Curt Nichols. As a self-proclaimed ski bum turned entrepreneur, Curt shares his journey of turning his passion for skiing into a successful business. Join us as we dive into topics such as building a brand in a competitive market, scaling up a business, and staying true to your passion. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a fellow ski enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. So grab your goggles and buckle up, because it's time to hit the slopes with Curt Nichols on EcomGold!

[00:00:00] Founder of Glade Optics, successful ski bum.

[00:09:41] Challenging business building, ski community understanding, market diligence.

[00:15:20] Limited funds, testing creative outlet with caution.

[00:16:41] Trust gut, take risks, balance ego.

[00:26:03] Early days, seasonal challenges, then scalable growth.

[00:28:59] Shipping light, high-margin goggles with viral impact.

[00:32:50] Seasonality addressed, focus on existing customers. Limited product line expansion.

[00:41:38] Inventory constraint hinders growth, want strategic expansion.

[00:46:45] High R&D budget crucial for innovative product.

[00:51:18] High fees for business loans not important.

[00:53:10] High-margin products lead to better marketing results.

[00:58:26] Validation from reputable publications boosts brand credibility.

[01:04:42] Recognition on mountains as surreal made it.

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