In this episode of The Growth Class, host Phil Masiello interviews Jake Cohn, President of Out&Back Outdoor, Inc.

Jake shares the unconventional journey from professional freer skier and entrepreneur to building and scaling an outdoor gear marketplace that ultimately led to the acquisition of The Locals Sale by Out&Back Outdoor.

He discusses how a simple idea to sell excess ski gear evolved into a community-driven business, the importance of staying adaptable when business plans inevitably change, and the lessons he learned from growing through lean teams, limited resources, and plenty of unexpected challenges.

Jake also shares how his experience as a professional athlete shaped his entrepreneurial mindset, why persistence and the ability to keep moving forward matter when things go wrong, and how Out&Back is working to make outdoor gear more accessible through new and used products and a more sustainable circular model.

The conversation also explores leadership and delegation, building teams around individual strengths, the realities of running a growing business, and Jake’s approach to balancing entrepreneurship, adventure, family, and his continued involvement in the outdoor industry.

Out&Back Outdoor, Inc. website: https://outandbackoutdoor.com/

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