The My Wife Quit Her Job Podcast With Steve Chou 615: How Montana Knife Company Hit 8 Figures On Shopify Without Amazon
Nov 12, 2025
Brandon Harahoe, VP of Montana Knife Company, shares insights into their success as a Made-in-USA brand thriving on Shopify without relying on Amazon. He discusses how they built a loyal community around quality craftsmanship and utilized unique marketing strategies. Brandon explains their email-first drop model, the importance of maintaining a balance between in-stock SKUs and scarcity, and their innovative content approach through SEO and social media. He highlights the brand's commitment to authenticity and ambitious plans for future growth.
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From Child Prodigy To Practical Knives
- Josh Smith started making knives at 11 and became the youngest master bladesmith at 19, building a reputation for high-end Damascus pieces.
- He shifted to Montana Knife Company to make durable, usable hunting knives that people actually take into the field.
Why They Chose U.S. Manufacturing
- COVID supply shocks and reliability motivated them to commit to American manufacturing despite higher costs.
- American-made aligned with brand ethos and differentiated them from low-cost imports.
Garage Launch And Bootstrapped Growth
- The first production run sold 150 knives quickly while they were still assembling and packing in Josh's garage and Brandon's bedroom.
- They bootstrapped growth by selling product, buying more material, and repeating the cycle.