This "How I Built This" episode features an interview with David Heath and Randy Goldberg, founders of the Bombas sock company. The podcast traces their journey from a chance encounter with a Salvation Army post about the need for socks in homeless shelters to the creation of a multi-million dollar business. The founders discuss their initial struggles securing funding, their unconventional approach to product development (involving hundreds of iterations and sampling with strangers), and the unexpected boost from their appearance on "Shark Tank." A key takeaway is their emphasis on building a strong brand and product, prioritizing sustainable growth over rapid expansion fueled by massive funding. The episode highlights how a seemingly uninspired product category, socks, can become a successful business through innovation, a strong mission, and a bit of luck.
