How I Built This with Guy Raz
Bombas: David Heath and Randy Goldberg (2022)
Jan 13, 2025
David Heath and Randy Goldberg, co-founders of Bombas, share their journey from corporate life to creating a sock empire. They discovered that socks were the most requested item at homeless shelters, inspiring their one-for-one donation model. The duo faced initial skepticism from investors but pivoted successfully, even making waves on 'Shark Tank.' Their commitment to quality and social impact transformed a mundane product into a thriving business, celebrating milestones like donating nearly one million pairs of socks while emphasizing creativity and community.
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Quick takeaways
- David Heath and Randy Goldberg launched Bombas after realizing socks are the most requested clothing item at homeless shelters, aiming to create social impact.
- Their innovative approach to sock design involved enhancing performance and comfort, addressing a significant gap in the market overlooked by traditional offerings.
Deep dives
The Founding of Bombas
Randy Goldberg and David Heath's entrepreneurial journey began with a surprising revelation about socks: they are the most requested clothing item at homeless shelters. This discovery prompted them to consider creating a sock company that would give back to those in need, similar to the models used by other successful brands like Toms and Warby Parker. Despite initial challenges in finding investors—who generally viewed the sock market as uninspiring—they pressed on, driven by a shared vision and their own passion for entrepreneurship. Their backgrounds in sales, marketing, and product design set a solid foundation for their venture, leading them to co-found Bombas in 2011.
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