Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear and keynote speaker at the upcoming KORE Summit, returns to the podcast for a timely conversation about leading a growing business, why ultralight backpacking has become backpacking and the future of independent outdoor retail.

Episode Highlights:

• The personal evolution from doing everything to leading everything — how Lloyd shifted from solopreneur to CEO.

• Garage Grown Gear’s framework for saying “no” to good ideas to make room for great ones.

• Why ultralight backpacking isn’t a niche anymore—it’s becoming the new norm in outdoor retail.

• The importance of staying deeply connected to your brand’s purpose and resisting horizontal sprawl.

• How independent retailers can win by creating spaces of discovery, not sameness.

REGISTER for the KORE Summit. October 2-3, 2025 in Kimberley, BC

Links:
Connect with Lloyd on LinkedIn

Connect with Christian on LinkedIn

Garage Grown Gear

KORE

Adotec Gear (bear bags)

Derek Sivers - "Hell Yeah or No"

Norda Run

Huckberry

Nathan Barry - Skyscrapers vs. Strip Malls

Nemo Hornet

Black Diamond Deploy Down Hoody 0.5

Justin Outdoors YouTube channel

In this episode, Christian talks with Tony McWilliam, founder of Faction Skis, about the realities of starting and scaling a product-focused brand. Drawing from his design background, Tony shares how design thinking helps with branding, problem-solving, and decision-making. He dives into the risks of expanding too quickly, the importance of staying focused, and why early-stage founders should do every job themselves. They explore the value of deep relationships with factories, retailers, and mentors and candid advice on margin, funding options, and building a sustainable business. A must-listen for outdoor industry entrepreneurs navigating the messy middle of brand growth.

Episode Highlights:

• Why design thinking is a powerful framework for brand building and problem-solving.
• The three pillars every business needs: Product, Demand, and Distribution.
• What founders should not outsource in the first few years.
• Why deep relationships with factories are more valuable than chasing the cheapest quote.
• Candid advice on margin: it matters, but not at the expense of long-term success.
• The importance of mentorship, community, and asking for help in the early stages.

Links:
KORE Outdoors
Tony's Website: The Woods Agency
Candide Skis
Forward Outdoor Apparel
Faction Skis
Db Journey
Black Crows Skis

Looking Sideways Podcast with Db Journey founder Truls Brataas

Connect with Tony on LinkedIn

Connect with Christian on LinkedIn

In this episode, Heather Kelly, founder of Heather’s Choice, shares the raw, real story behind building her food company from scratch. She talks about how outdoor adventures shaped her confidence, what she learned from raising early-stage capital, and the emotional toll of nearly going bankrupt. Heather also reflects on her Shark Tank appearance, the big move from Alaska to Oregon, and why she’s choosing to scale her business her way. This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, and staying grounded in your values even when the pressure to grow fast gets loud. If you’re building something, this one’s for you.

Topics We Cover

• The tension between growth, authenticity, and maintaining control in founder-led businesses
• How adventure and time offline influence entrepreneurial resilience and creativity
• The reality of startup funding: lessons from angel investment and Shark Tank
• The evolving mission and market of Heather’s Choice—from outdoor meals to everyday solutions
• The bold move from Alaska to Oregon to scale manufacturing and build a sustainable future

Learn more about KORE - Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise

Links:
Heather's Choice
Proper Hotel - Austin
Profit First - book

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn
Connect with Christian on LinkedIn
Christian's website