Jake Burton
Jake Burton is the owner and founder of Burton Snowboards. The growth and popularity snowboarding sees today is directly related to Burton, as it was his vision and perseverance that has made the sport into a worldwide success story. Jake did not invent snowboarding, but instead capitalized on a product called the “snurf”, a freestanding board with a rope and no bindings, where the rider could slide down hills with little control. Jake saw immediate potential for an industry and sport, but not by the “snurfing” company who marketed their product as if it was a “hula hoop or something”. After a failed attempt at making the University of Colorado’s ski team, and a stint at grooming and exercising racehorses, Jake enrolled in New York University to study economics. That …show more content…
Jake’s is here for the sport of snowboarding first and foremost, his company was built by snowboarders and run is by snowboarders. He watched many snowboard companies go through the public phase and industry wide consolidation, he watched as his competitor’s stock prices went through the roof, and watched as they plummeted. Luckily, he “had the patience and discipline to sit on the sideline”. Even when tempted by the money, he knew he, and he alone could make the best product possible, not a bunch of shareholders that had no interest in the sport, and the lifestyle he built and loved.
All of the Burton family participates in the sport, even the group of senior managers who make the most important decisions, ride on a regular basis. The atmosphere at the company is relaxed, but driven by the evolution of the sport. Employees are encouraged to go out and ride the mountain whenever they can, even if it means an empty desk for a few hours that morning. If it snows more than two feet, employees are required to leave and go hit the mountain. That kind of working environment only inspires its
Jake Burton is the owner and founder of Burton Snowboards. The growth and popularity snowboarding sees today is directly related to Burton, as it was his vision and perseverance that has made the sport into a worldwide success story. Jake did not invent snowboarding, but instead capitalized on a product called the “snurf”, a freestanding board with a rope and no bindings, where the rider could slide down hills with little control. Jake saw immediate potential for an industry and sport, but not by the “snurfing” company who marketed their product as if it was a “hula hoop or something”. After a failed attempt at making the University of Colorado’s ski team, and a stint at grooming and exercising racehorses, Jake enrolled in New York University to study economics. That …show more content…
Jake’s is here for the sport of snowboarding first and foremost, his company was built by snowboarders and run is by snowboarders. He watched many snowboard companies go through the public phase and industry wide consolidation, he watched as his competitor’s stock prices went through the roof, and watched as they plummeted. Luckily, he “had the patience and discipline to sit on the sideline”. Even when tempted by the money, he knew he, and he alone could make the best product possible, not a bunch of shareholders that had no interest in the sport, and the lifestyle he built and loved.
All of the Burton family participates in the sport, even the group of senior managers who make the most important decisions, ride on a regular basis. The atmosphere at the company is relaxed, but driven by the evolution of the sport. Employees are encouraged to go out and ride the mountain whenever they can, even if it means an empty desk for a few hours that morning. If it snows more than two feet, employees are required to leave and go hit the mountain. That kind of working environment only inspires its