Meet Dave

We recently connected with Dave and have shared our conversation below.

Dave, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

This question caught my eye among many others. It has always seemed to me that looking different was good, it allows you to stand out. When you look or act the same as everyone around you, you generally get the same results, which no entrepreneur wants. Being different is an easy way to cheat the system.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Our story started in 1998, just about the time the old-school-short volleyball shorts were beginning to look silly (they are back). My friends and I didn’t like the fit of the surf shorts that were available; they were made to fit surfer kids, not competitive athletes. So a few of us got together, searched for some cool fabric and got to work in a garage in South Mission Beach, California. I had worked a few days cutting fabric for my neighbors’ jacket company and learned how to make patterns. I worked after dark in the garage with my favorite shorts, taking the best attributes from each style to piece together what I thought would be a good looking, great fitting pair of beach volleyball shorts. A guy named Stanley stitched them up for us in his garage. Stanley had just sold his clothing manufacturing business and still had some machines. The shorts he put together from the pattern looked great but didn’t fit quite right. We changed the pattern, and changed it again, and again. When we got it right, we moved on to other products and created KAMENA OUTDOOR! There was room in the industry to make things better, so we did it…

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’ve been asked to separate three important skills i have that allowed me to succeed in my space.

1. flexibility- Things don’t always work the way you wanted them to. Make lemonade out of lemons and move on quickly.

2. Happiness- My goals are far reaching and fairly non-specific. Its the race that matters, not the finish. I’m always busy with something i love.

3. Support- Make sure you have positive people around you. Life is too short.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

As i mentioned in the previous section, the ability to develop and progress and things change around you is probably the most important quality as an entrepreneur. You are driving the boat but hazards aren’t always on the map.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kamenabrands.com
• Instagram: kamena-outdoor
• Facebook: kamenaoutdoor