Brewing Adventure: Jess Nepstad on Outdoor Life, Coffee, and Bru Trek's Journey 503
Today on episode 503 Jess Nepstad from Bru Trek joins me on The Show. Jess’s LinkedIn profile leads with 'Positively impact people every day!' He says they have a great little company in Bonner, MT - with a team of wonderful people who all enjoy life, the outdoors, work, and friends.
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What Happened:
When I was a kid, the phrase “adventure ready” meant slapping a chili can into a backpack and pedaling 20 miles with your best friend and no helmet. Jess Nesad’s story took me right back. He and his buddy Mark did just that—bikes, backpacks, a plan (sort of), and zero water bottles. They made it to Luckock Park, camped under the stars, hiked to waterfalls, and sipped stream water like champions.
It was rugged. It was real. And today? Jess is still chasing that kind of magic—but with a serious upgrade in gear and a lot more hydration.
Fast forward a few decades, and he’s the founder of BruTrek, building over-engineered outdoor coffee gear that could survive a bear attack. (Okay, slight exaggeration—but seriously, this stuff is tough.)
Principle:
The gear you carry reflects how you show up in your adventures—and your business. Cheap tools, whether it’s instant coffee or uninspired branding, leave you flat. But when your tools are built for adventure—when they’re rugged, intentional, and actually designed for how you live—everything changes.
Transition:
Most outdoor brands talk a big game. But few are built by people who’ve lived it from both sides: the free-range childhood adventures and the boardroom branding meetings. If you’re tired of gear that breaks, branding that feels disconnected, or a business that doesn’t feel like you, there’s a reason for that.
That’s why…
That’s why this episode hits different. Jess bridges the gap between old-school outdoor grit and the next-gen mindset of thoughtful design, loyal community, and brand storytelling that actually means something. This episode isn’t just about coffee—it’s about creating a lifestyle that works as hard as you do.
Call to Action:
Still sipping cowboy coffee and calling it good? You deserve better. Don’t let bad gear (or bad branding) hold you back from the adventures you dream of. Listen to this episode and find out how to blend grit, growth, and a damn good cup of coffee into your brand.
Show Notes
Favorite piece of gear
Neck Gators
Favorite Bru Trek Gear: Steel Toe
Favorite Book/ Authors
Book: John Irving
Authors:
Thomas McGuane
Russell Rowland
A B Gruthery
Contact Jess
Email: