If you are into the outdoors, you’ve most likely heard of Poler. Their unique take on camping and adventure made the brand instantly successful. All of it was started by Kharma Vella and his former best friend Benji. Kharma is my guest this week and we talk coming up in the world of snowboarding, starting a brand, building it and watching the same brand destroy both his personal and professional life. The podcast is Kharma’s side of a real-life tale that outlines what can happen when you do business with friends.
Kharma Vella Show Notes:
2:00: Portland is weird, growing up in the NW
8:41: Snowboarding in the early 90’s, sponsors and Dinner Clothing
16:09: Working at shops and then getting a modeling gig that turns into more at Bonfire
19:30: Founding Poler, bankrolling it, and naming it
26:15: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout)
RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)
28:45: Poler at SIA, other brands jumping in and social media
33:33: The knapsack backstory and his day to day role
37:00: Taking advantage of Chinese labor and pricing
40:10: Collaborations and Nike
44:00: What the hell happened with you and Polar. It’s a crazy story
54:30: His new project Muul that is on Kickstarter May 15
56:30: Inappropriate Questions with Sales rep extraordinaire and former Rep of the Year, Dan Sorcinelli