Matt and Mattie Sims are the co-founders of Courier Socks, a performance sock brand built for the Renaissance athlete — the person who isn't limited to just one sport. In this episode, we get into how a snapped achilles and a $10 sock sparked a product thesis, how five co-founders from world-class brands assembled into something that felt inevitable, and what it really looks like to build a bootstrapped brand without quitting your day job, without outside funding, and with a toddler in the mix.
Topics covered:
- Building with five co-founders — why more wasn't messier, it was essential
- The Renaissance athlete — Courier's positioning and who they're actually building for
- The sock category opportunity — why performance socks have been left behind relative to footwear
- Bootstrapped growth and marketing — what's worked, what hasn't, and the myth of the breakthrough moment
- Lessons from Lululemon — what they carried out and what they left behind
The KORE Outdoors Podcast is supported by the Province of British Columbia.
What is KORE Outdoors Podcast?
Dive into insightful conversations with entrepreneurs and leaders shaping the outdoor industry.
Each episode explores practical strategies and inspiring stories to help you navigate your career in the outdoor industry.
Your host, Christian Rawles, brings 15 years of experience as the former owner of Ambler Mountain Works and his current role as KORE Business Advisor.
This podcast is a production of KORE - the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise. KORE is a non-profit organization based in the Kootenay region of interior British Columbia. KORE’s mission is to support the growing network of gear and apparel makers, designers and entrepreneurs within the Kootenays.