outdoor brands

In this episode, we meet the force of nature, Jenna Flateman Posner, just two months into her new gig with innovative home products brand, wholesaler and direct-to-consumer retailer Solo Brands. We cover a lot of ground in this interview, not unlike what Jenna did as a University athlete and member of the USA Women’s Sevens rugby team.

Hear more about how Solo Brands has dedicated country sites, distribution in Canada and Europe, and the best days. Learn how Jenna prioritized technology investment with a mind to global reach and presence. 

Thanks to Stream Commerce for their support in making this episode happen.

Learn more about GELF L.A. 2024

About Jenna

As the Chief Digital Officer at Solo Brands, I lead the strategy and execution of digital initiatives across our portfolio of direct-to-consumer brands. With over 15 years of experience in the retail and technology sectors, I have a track record of driving growth, innovation, and customer loyalty through digital channels and platforms.

My core competencies include tech strategy, innovation, customer relationship management, online marketing, and strategic partnerships. I leverage my entrepreneurial mindset and industry expertise to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities, optimize operational efficiency, and foster cross-functional collaboration. My mission is to deliver exceptional digital experiences that enhance the value proposition and competitive advantage of Solo Brands and its partners.

About Michael

Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada’s top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. 

Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

In this powerful episode of Winning The Moment Podcast, we sit down with the renowned designer and visual storyteller, Tavish "Tav" Calico, the architect behind the innovative design firm, BONDIR. Tav's journey in the world of design and branding has been nothing short of inspiring, with his work leaving an indelible mark on various outdoor, corporate, action sports, and lifestyle brands.

However, beyond his professional successes, Tav's personal story is one of resilience and fortitude. He shares with us the heart-wrenching tale of the tragic loss of his family during a road trip, an event that reshaped his life and left him grappling with the weight of grief and the shadows of depression.

In this candid conversation, Tav opens up about his struggles, the dark moments that followed the loss, and the arduous path toward healing and self-discovery. He shares insights into the importance of self-care and finding solace in nature, often seeking refuge in the depths of the ocean waves or the tranquility of fresh powder on the mountains.

Join us as we delve into Tav's poignant journey, his resilience in the face of adversity, and the profound lessons he's learned about the vitality of self-care and the transformative power of embracing life's moments, both big and small. Tune in to this emotionally stirring episode of Winning The Moment to witness Tav's unwavering spirit and his enduring commitment to not just design, but also to the art of living.

Bondir: https://bondir.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tavishcalico/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tavcalico/

https://www.codyadent.com/

https://www.instagram.com/cody_adent/

In this week's episode, we're stepping into the world of sustainable footwear with Kirsten Blackburn, Director of The KEEN Effect — the social impact division for hybrid footwear brand KEEN. Since its founding in 2003, KEEN has evolved into a leading global footwear company renowned for innovation, originality, and a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Throughout the conversation with Gil, Kirsten, who has spearheaded environmental, social, and governance strategies across for-profit and non-profit sectors for over a decade, shares invaluable insights into KEEN's sustainability journey and its global commitment to ethical practices. Additionally, she sheds light on several actionable strategies to reduce the broader footwear industry's environmental impact.

Links: 

• Kirsten Blackburn LinkedIn
• Kirsten Blackburn Twitter
• KEEN LinkedIn
• KEEN Twitter
• Website: Keen Impact
• 2022 KEEN Impact Report
• KEEN Green Paper: The Road to PFAS Free, a step-by-step guide to removing PFAS from your supply chain
• Video: What is the KEEN Effect?
• Video: The Newport: How the World's Ugliest Sandal Was Born

Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, and Hilary at climatepositive@hasi.com or tweet them to @ClimatePosiPod.

Email your feedback to Chad, Gil, and Hilary at climatepositive@hasi.com or tweet them to @ClimatePosiPod. 

Learn more about Bonie's professional background here and explore the new Ibex here.

In episode 14, Corey and Sean sit down to reflect on the past few months. In particular, how COVID 19 and the lockdown have affected them personally, the impact it has had on the business at BOTE, and the ripple effect that they have seen across the entire outdoor industry through first-hand accounts and stories shared with them from friends in the industry. 

In short, the outdoor industry seems to be thriving. With the absence of sports, limitations on travel, gyms across the country shutting down, and once the majority of the population ran through the entire Netflix catalog, folks across the country began to take to the great outdoors. From biking to fishing and everything in between, the general consensus across the outdoor industry is that there is a renaissance taking place. 

Tune in to hear Corey and Sean’s hot takes on the current state of the industry and get a firsthand perspective on how the BOTE team has kept up with the growing demand over the past few months.

Links from the Episode 

More on the Devils of the Deep video project.

A wild experience: Crab Island.

Check out the BOTE Paddleboard collection.

But also, the BOTE Fishing collection.

We’re hiring! Jobs at BOTE.

Who’s in the Episode
Lead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey’s passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.

Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography. 

Sound Bites

“We had some inspiration from people internally that wanted us to talk about what we’re calling the outdoor resurgence or the renaissance for people wanting to get outside and do things again… The thing that’s been unique for us is that we’ve seen an unprecedented amount of demand and growth from customers for our products in general and in adjacent industries… all these guys are having record seasons for people getting outside again” - Corey Cooper / BOTE CEO and Founder

“We were uncertain and I remember getting the call from you and you were very nervous. What’s the future gonna hold? You were worried about your employees, you were worried about being able to support your people… and it was actually the opposite that ended up happening.” - Sean Murphy / BOTE Director of Photography