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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Kona Bikes

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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