Founder Stories: Creating a Company in the Outdoor Industry (Venture Snowboards, CARV, Spark R&D, & AlpenFlow Design) (Ep.357)

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Lots of people dream of starting a company in the outdoor industry. But how do you go about actually doing that? At Blister Summit 2025, we talked with four individuals who had the dream — and the audacity — to start their own companies: Klem Branner, Venture Snowboards; Will Ritter, Spark R&D; Jamie Grant, CARV; and Cobey Nash, AlpenFlow Design. On this episode of the Blister Podcast, you’ll hear them talk about the highs, the lows, and the breakthroughs that come with starting a company — and the even more challenging work of keeping a company going.
Cobey Nash, Jamie Grant, Will Ritter, Klem Branner, & Jonathan Ellsworth at Blister Summit 2025
Lots of people dream of starting a company in the outdoor industry. But how do you go about actually doing that? At Blister Summit 2025, we talked with four individuals who had the dream — and the audacity — to start their own companies: Klem Branner, Venture Snowboards; Will Ritter, Spark R&D; Jamie Grant, CARV; and Cobey Nash, AlpenFlow Design. On this episode of the Blister Podcast, you’ll hear them talk about the highs, the lows, and the breakthroughs that come with starting a company — and the even more challenging work of keeping a company going.
Will Ritter & Klem Branner at Blister Summit 2025
Lots of people dream of starting a company in the outdoor industry. But how do you go about actually doing that? At Blister Summit 2025, we talked with four individuals who had the dream — and the audacity — to start their own companies: Klem Branner, Venture Snowboards; Will Ritter, Spark R&D; Jamie Grant, CARV; and Cobey Nash, AlpenFlow Design. On this episode of the Blister Podcast, you’ll hear them talk about the highs, the lows, and the breakthroughs that come with starting a company — and the even more challenging work of keeping a company going.
Cobey Nash, Jamie Grant, & Will Ritter at Blister Summit 2025
Lots of people dream of starting a company in the outdoor industry. But how do you go about actually doing that? At Blister Summit 2025, we talked with four individuals who had the dream — and the audacity — to start their own companies: Klem Branner, Venture Snowboards; Will Ritter, Spark R&D; Jamie Grant, CARV; and Cobey Nash, AlpenFlow Design. On this episode of the Blister Podcast, you’ll hear them talk about the highs, the lows, and the breakthroughs that come with starting a company — and the even more challenging work of keeping a company going.
Cobey Nash, Jamie Grant, Will Ritter, Klem Branner, & Jonathan Ellsworth at Blister Summit 2025
Lots of people dream of starting a company in the outdoor industry. But how do you go about actually doing that? At Blister Summit 2025, we talked with four individuals who had the dream — and the audacity — to start their own companies: Klem Branner, Venture Snowboards; Will Ritter, Spark R&D; Jamie Grant, CARV; and Cobey Nash, AlpenFlow Design. On this episode of the Blister Podcast, you’ll hear them talk about the highs, the lows, and the breakthroughs that come with starting a company — and the even more challenging work of keeping a company going.
Will Ritter riding at Blister Summit 2025

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Founder Stories: Creating a Company in the Outdoor Industry (Venture Snowboards, CARV, Spark R&D, & AlpenFlow Design) (Ep.357)
Founder Stories: Creating a Company in the Outdoor Industry (Venture Snowboards, CARV, Spark R&D, & AlpenFlow Design) (Ep.357)

Lots of people dream of starting a ski or snowboard or some type of company in the outdoor industry. But how do you go about actually doing that, and really getting a company off the ground? At Blister Summit 2025, I talked with four individuals who had the dream — and the audacity — to start their own companies: Klem Branner, Venture Snowboards; Will Ritter, Spark R&D; Jamie Grant, CARV; and Cobey Nash, AlpenFlow Design. Today you’ll hear them talk about the highs, the lows, and the breakthroughs that come with starting a company — and the arguably even more challenging work of keeping a company going.

RELATED LINKS:
Get Covered: BLISTER+

TOPICS & TIMES:
New Blister Cinematic Ep w/ Cody (1:00)
New BLISTER+ Members (2:01)
Founder Introductions (3:42)
How Long from Idea to Launch? (5:46)
How Did You Move from Idea to Launch? (14:41)
Starting 25 Years Ago vs Starting Today (23:45)
Funding: To Take or Not to Take? (34:01)
Audience Questions:
How did you know people would want your products? (45:33)
Tell us about your first order? (47:03)
Concerns about the future? (48:29)
How did you know this was a product worth building? (50:02)
What was your darkest moment? (52:11)
How can we best support small brands? (57:04)

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Founder Stories: Creating a Company in the Outdoor Industry (Venture Snowboards, CARV, Spark R&D, & AlpenFlow Design) (Ep.357)
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Founder Stories: Creating a Company in the Outdoor Industry (Venture Snowboards, CARV, Spark R&D, & AlpenFlow Design) (Ep.357)
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