In April of 2024, Kona Bikes set up their tent at Sea Otter, then promptly tore it back down when Kent Outdoors, who owned Kona at the time, pulled the rug right out from under them and declared that Kona was no longer in business. A year later, we sit down with Kona founder Jacob Heilbron about why he and other Kona founder Dan Gerhard sold Kona to Kent Outdoors; what happened at Sea Otter; how things have been going since buying Kona back; rebuilding the brand image; what their future plans look like; and a whole lot more.
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TOPICS & TIMES:
A Quick Kona History
The Decision to Sell Kona
Kent Buys Kona
From Record Sales to No Sales
Kent Blows it with Direct-to-Consumer Strategy
Kent Blows it Again with BOGO Sale
The Kona Sea Otter Debacle
Jake and Dan buy Kona Back
What Motivated Dan and Jake to Buy it Back
Kona’s Future
Tariffs’ Affect on Kona
What Jake is Riding
New Bikes on the Way
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