Silicon Slopes | Leaders Interviewing Leaders Teton Gear CEO Scott Holmes
Feb 21, 2025
01:04:44
In this episode, we sit down with Scott, the founder of Teton Gear, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of running a product-based business, and the lessons he's learned along the way. From the early days of starting Teton Gear in 2005 to navigating complex relationships with major retailers like Amazon, Scott shares invaluable insights into the world of outdoor gear manufacturing.
00:00 - Introduction and Summit Experience
00:52 - Startup Alley and Son's Startup
01:41 - Entrepreneurial Traits and Family
02:04 - Founding of Teton Gear
02:50 - The To-Don't List
03:34 - Early Challenges and Relationships
05:01 - The Power of Triadic Relationships
06:09 - Initial Business Model and No Domestic Inventory
06:43 - Naming Teton Gear
07:39 - Challenges of Direct Import Business
09:25 - Transition to Domestic Inventory
11:01 - Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
13:02 - Amazon as a Major Customer
17:02 - Amazon's Pricing Policies
18:09 - Relocating to Puerto Rico
19:35 - Governance and Politics of Puerto Rico
20:24 - Hiring a CEO and Amazon Challenges
23:09 - Transitioning Back to 1P Relationship with Amazon
25:11 - Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Strategy
27:05 - Shopify as a Competitor to Amazon
29:19 - Tariffs and Trade Policies
30:02 - ABC Initiative: Anywhere But China
31:31 - Exploring Manufacturing Outside China
34:02 - Potential Geopolitical Issues with China and Taiwan
36:12 - Challenges of Manufacturing in America
37:01 - Maintaining Quality Control
39:08 - Overseas Travel and Other Ventures
39:30 - Mina Group: Middle East, North Africa
41:46 - Launching New Products
44:00 - Marketing Strategies
45:10 - Competitors and Business Philosophy
If you enjoyed this video and want to support us please leave a LIKE, write a comment on this video and Share it with your friends. Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and click the icon for notifications when we add a new video. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions.
Our website: https://www.siliconslopes.com
Show Links: https://tetongear.com
Apple Podcasts
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silicon-slopes-the-entrepreneur-capital-of-the-world/id1698150372
Spotify Podcasts - https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZdYnWYKPXOqH2fgJ2UJ2N?si=5890c63a145a4a3e
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw
00:00 - Introduction and Summit Experience
00:52 - Startup Alley and Son's Startup
01:41 - Entrepreneurial Traits and Family
02:04 - Founding of Teton Gear
02:50 - The To-Don't List
03:34 - Early Challenges and Relationships
05:01 - The Power of Triadic Relationships
06:09 - Initial Business Model and No Domestic Inventory
06:43 - Naming Teton Gear
07:39 - Challenges of Direct Import Business
09:25 - Transition to Domestic Inventory
11:01 - Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
13:02 - Amazon as a Major Customer
17:02 - Amazon's Pricing Policies
18:09 - Relocating to Puerto Rico
19:35 - Governance and Politics of Puerto Rico
20:24 - Hiring a CEO and Amazon Challenges
23:09 - Transitioning Back to 1P Relationship with Amazon
25:11 - Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Strategy
27:05 - Shopify as a Competitor to Amazon
29:19 - Tariffs and Trade Policies
30:02 - ABC Initiative: Anywhere But China
31:31 - Exploring Manufacturing Outside China
34:02 - Potential Geopolitical Issues with China and Taiwan
36:12 - Challenges of Manufacturing in America
37:01 - Maintaining Quality Control
39:08 - Overseas Travel and Other Ventures
39:30 - Mina Group: Middle East, North Africa
41:46 - Launching New Products
44:00 - Marketing Strategies
45:10 - Competitors and Business Philosophy
If you enjoyed this video and want to support us please leave a LIKE, write a comment on this video and Share it with your friends. Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and click the icon for notifications when we add a new video. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions.
Our website: https://www.siliconslopes.com
Show Links: https://tetongear.com
Apple Podcasts
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silicon-slopes-the-entrepreneur-capital-of-the-world/id1698150372
Spotify Podcasts - https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZdYnWYKPXOqH2fgJ2UJ2N?si=5890c63a145a4a3e
Social:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/siliconslopes
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/siliconslopes/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/silicon-slopes/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8aEtQ1KJrWhJ3C2JnzXysw