Sept '26 Newsletter
Let’s see: Sub-teen age yard mower, car washer, pedal car ice cream vendor, newspaper home delivery man, surfer (no work), busboy, lifeguard, water safety instructor, retail clerk, pots and pans sorority hasher, rental ski operator, night ski lift operator, brick kiln laborer, roofer, boot packer-Aspen, industrial gold miner, US Steel laborer, retail clerk (again), ski salesman, National sales manager, National ski boot product manager, VP National sales and marketing, hiking boot startup, Nike Golf President, VP Callaway Golf, President Reef, CEO Sanuk, minority owner Boardworks, Co-founder OTZ shoes, Investor, Board member, Executive Director San Diego Sport Innovators.
It took me 69 years and 34 jobs or positions (that I can remember!). I love to work. But mostly, I love to help companies and people. At SDSI we have jump started 168 companies and created over 1000 jobs. Our friend Guy Kawasaki said it best: a fully lived business life has three phases: Earn, Learn and Return. I am focused on the “Return” phase now and am happily turning over SDSI to Kevin Cox, a local entrepreneur and friend. I cannot wait to see the future under his leadership.
Thank you to Phil Knight, Ely Callaway, Ralph and Jerry Lauren, Jeff Kelley, Guy Kawasaki, Bill Walton, Pat Kilkenny and John Sarkisian and especially Renne Catalano-Gussman, the cement between all the bricks at SDSI.
bob
Read more about the upcoming leadership changes here.
Bill Walton Happy Hour at the Belly Up on November 6
This one is special. On Friday, November 6, the Belly Up in Solana Beach is hosting a happy hour honoring Bill Walton, the Hall of Famer, Deadhead, storyteller, and San Diego legend who meant so much to this city. From 5:30 to 8:00, expect music, memories, and plenty of Grateful Dead spirit, with the Electric Waste Band, the group Bill played alongside for years, taking the stage. The dress code is tie-dye, so wear your brightest and boldest. The night falls on the eve of the inaugural Bill Walton Classic at Pechanga Arena, and all proceeds go to the Bill Walton Foundation, continuing Bill's lifelong commitment to San Diego and the causes he cared about most. Come celebrate the man who taught us all to be the best we can be. Tickets are a $75 donation. Get yours here.
Bob McKnight, Founder of Quiksilver, is Coming to SDSI for our next Eye of the Innovator
Our next Eye of the Innovator is one you'll want to clear your calendar for. Bob McKnight, who co-founded Quiksilver and helped turn it into one of the most successful brands the surf industry has ever produced, is joining us for a fireside chat on Wednesday, October 28th at the Reef HQ in Carlsbad. Bob has spent a lifetime in this industry and has the stories to prove it, from the early days of building the brand to the decisions that shaped the global business. Evenings like this are where unexpected conversations, partnerships, and ideas tend to find you, so you'll want to be in the room. More details coming soon. If you are not a member of SDSI and are interested in attending, reach out.
Find the Right Partner Faster on Our New Service Providers Page
We've reorganized the SDSI service providers page, sorting our trusted providers by expertise so you can find exactly what you need. Whether you're looking for legal, accounting, marketing, logistics, or anything in between, the right partner is now just a click away. These are companies our community knows and vouch for, ready to help you grow. Check out the new page here.
Carmen Mirabella Talks Modern Logistics on Views From the Bus Podcast
SDSI member Carmen Mirabella of Fulex joined Bob on the latest episode of Views From the Bus to break down what logistics looks like today. Most founders think of a 3PL as a stepping stone, something you hand off early and take back in-house once you grow. Carmen makes the case that an omnichannel provider is no longer a temporary fix but a real necessity for scaling brands. If you're handling your own shipping, this one is worth a listen. Listen to the full episode here.