Founder Fridays Series: Pioneering Possibilities and Redefining Trends
Pioneering Possibilities and Redefining Trends
Welcome back to Founder Friday! In this week’s entry, we are thrilled to introduce two incredible brands built by passionate entrepreneurs. These founders identified a gap in the market and created highly efficient, transformative products to fill it. Let’s meet the visionaries bringing fresh energy to the outdoor sector!
Zack Ruzbasan, Agency
Zack Ruzbasan knew what he wanted but couldn’t find it anywhere. More specifically, he was looking for a customizable backpack that let him play outside but didn’t look like something you’d find on nearby hiking trails. As a fix, he decided to make the bag himself, and today his company Agency produces the Guide, one of the most modular bags on the market. From the outside the 10-liter Guide looks like a sleek city bag, but that design actually hides a number of important outdoor and travel features. Thanks to a hydrophobic coating and waterproof zippers the bag will stand up to any rainstorm or even a quick dunk in the river.
Inside, the bag holds a number of modular inserts that store and protect everything from your 16-inch MacBook Pro to your favorite Arc’teryx hoody. The straps adjust for backpack, crossbody, or messenger carry, and when the bag is not in use an air vent allows it to compress so you pack it away in your suitcase. Zack, who we’ve had the pleasure to meet, is an inspired designer and says that he not only put a lot of thought into the bag, but also the name of the company. He chose Agency because he believes everyone has the power to engage. “Ultimately, we want to assist and inspire others to live life on their own terms,” he told us.
Jim Corning and Holly Jaleski, Grubcan
It’s nerve racking to protect your food while backpacking. Every time you leave camp for a day hike or settle in for the night you just hope your food doesn’t get eaten by hungry animals. That’s where Grubcan comes in. The company produces various sizes of packable food vaults that have been tested against all kinds of intrusions, even from black bears. Their flagship products are handmade from a nearly indestructible carbon fiber and kevlar blend, and hikers have come to love the lids that are secure but easy to slide off with tired, cold, or wet hands.
Big enough to hold several days worth of food, but sleek enough to fit in a pack and light enough to not be a bother, Grubcans have become an important insurance policy for anyone who wants to ensure their food stays put while playing in the backcountry. Going forward, Jime and Holly say they plan to expand the line to include smaller cans for quick overnight trips as well as larger cans for long backcountry excursions. They’ve had plenty of success but still want to operate direct-to-consumer and in smaller markets because they appreciate having a direct line to consumer feedback.
Why These Founders Matter
Founders like these demonstrate what happens when founders listen to the needs of the outdoor community and respond with thoughtful, human-centered design. For retailers, these brands represent the kind of innovation your customers crave: practical solutions that enhance functionality, ease of use, and quality of life outdoors.
Ready to stock products that make a difference? Discover more innovative brands like these at Outdoor Retailer, where the next generation of outdoor solutions comes to life.