146: Ammi Borenstein: Ammi and I talk about K2, and his work on the Higg Index Outdoor Brand & Retail Module
Ammi tells us about his experience working with K2 and Outdoor Research and the work he’s doing to help brands navigate the Higg Index Brand & Retail Module.
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First Exposure to the Outdoors
I grew up in New England in a family that really wasn't much of an outdoor family, but the little bit of exposure I had to the outdoors told me that I just absolutely loved it. So right after college I bought a one way ticket to Seattle and I have yet to buy the other half back.
Yeah I moved out here and quickly evolved to spending as much time as I could up in the mountains. I did a bunch of hiking, backpacking, mountaineering rock climbing and a fair amount of paddling. And back then a weekday ticket at a place like crystal mountain was about $12 and instead of the hundred dollars said it is now. There was a huge amount of opportunity to get out and have some fun. And my version of slopeside accommodations was camping out in the crystal mountain parking lot.
Things we talked about
School of Apparel Design and Development
Outdoor Industry Association
REI Product Sustainability Standards
Advice, tips
We all started somewhere. So based on my experience, my number one piece of advice for people looking to get in the outdoor industry is focus. Because you hear a lot of people say, oh I love the outdoor industry, I want to be a part of the outdoor industry. How do I get into the outdoor industry? But when you really break it down, there are a lot of vastly different roles. I mean, you and I have had different roles over the years, yours has been more sales oriented and mine has been focused on product. There's marketing, there's finance, there's logistics, sourcing, distribution, retail. And so I tell people, focus on the part of the industry you like and are experienced in. Like if it's product great, that opens up one whole set of traIning and direction and opportunities that you can take. If it's marketing, well that's a really a whole different path that might be at the same company, but it's a different skill set. So I really tell people, it's a great industry. It's super exciting. It's tons of fun, focus, focus, focus, focus, and that just gives you many, many more opportunities across many, many more companies.
Other Outdoor Activities
Backpacking
Paddling
Favorite Books
The Good Rain by Timothy Egan
Best Gear Purchase under $100
durable fleece gloves
headlamp
clif bar
Connect with Ammi
Welcome to a podcast dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts looking to elevate their outdoor careers while embracing the freedom and joy of outdoor adventure. We dive deep into outdoor recreation, adventure travel, and outdoor activities, helping you find the best outdoor jobs that fit your ideal outdoor life. Whether you're seeking career growth or just more time to get outdoors, we've got you covered.