Focus on Fun & Profit: What a Firefighter Learned Selling Thousands of Wallets

Jake Starr, a former firefighter, started Recycled Firefighter in 2013 when he noticed decommissioned fire hoses being thrown into the landfill, took some home, and turned it into an iPad case he sold on Etsy. "I feel bad for whoever bought it."

Today, Jake's Shopify Plus store has sold thousands of wallets, backpacks, tool rolls and more made from recycled canvas fire hose material. He owes his success in part to the Every Day Carry community on Instagram where he has nearly 100,000 followers.

In this candid interview, Jake joins us in studio to discuss his journey, what he's learned, and why he's chosen to keep his business intentionally small, bootstrapped, and fun.

Links Mentioned

• RecycledFirefighter.com
• IG:@RecycledFirefighter
• Snapseed
• Every Tool's a Hammer by Adam Savage
• Four Hour Work Week
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
• Company of One

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