Daniel Gerken, the founder of Anda, shares his journey of starting a cottage company and his participation in the Embark program. He explains the meaning behind the name Anda and the challenges of working with different fabrics. Daniel also discusses the importance of justifying the cost of eco-fabrics and the difficulties of running a one-person show. He concludes by sharing his plans for future products and revisions. In this conversation, Daniel Gerken discusses his new product ideas, expansion plans, companies and inspirations, favorite non-Anda gear, missing fabric in the market, and how he got his trail name Hot Pink.
Takeaways
Starting a cottage company requires wearing multiple hats and balancing different roles.
Working with challenging fabrics, such as silpoly, can be difficult but rewarding.
Justifying the cost of eco fabrics is important for customers who value sustainability.
Running a cottage company involves challenges in marketing and reaching the target audience.
Future product development can involve revisions and improvements on existing designs. Daniel Gerken is working on new product ideas, including a bug bivvy and a single-pole tarp with doors.
He plans to expand his product line to include backpacks and hopes to offer customers a lightweight and compact backpacking system.
Daniel finds inspiration from companies like ULA, Mountain Laurel Designs, and Yama Mountain Gear.
His favorite non-Anda gear is a Patagonia R1 fleece that he has had for over 10 years.
Daniel would like to see more eco-friendly fabrics in the market, such as the ultra TNT by Challenge.
He got his trail name Hot Pink because he carried a hot pink hairbrush on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Program
03:38
Starting Onda and the Embark Program
14:09
Meaning Behind the Name Onda
25:48
Working with Challenging Fabrics
29:01
Justifying the Cost of Eco Fabrics
33:16
Challenges of Running a Cottage Company
37:15
Balancing Different Roles in the Business
40:34
Future Products and Revisions
42:42
New Product Ideas
45:09
Expansion Plans
50:07
Companies and Inspirations
53:12
Favorite Non-Onda Gear
55:14
Missing Fabric in the Market
57:26
Maker Game
01:05:29
Trail Name Hot Pink
5 сен 2024
