Sports + Outdoor Mentors

The reality of building a career in founder-led businesses and then stepping into leadership yourself. Today’s guest is Georgina Kirby, General Manager at Kari Traa. Georgina is an experienced outdoor industry leader with over 20 years in premium brand-led businesses. She’s built her career across fast-growing, founder-led brands and now leads the instantly recognisable base layer brand, Kari Traa, part of the PE-backed Active Brands. Her background spans senior marketing and general management leadership roles at brands including Icebreaker, Le Chameau, and Bradshaw Taylor, where she has worked across strategy, brand development, and commercial delivery. We talk about working with founders, the energy, the pace, and the freedom that comes with it, but also the challenges that sit underneath that, and how those early experiences shape the way you lead. People and decision-making, especially hiring, getting it wrong, spotting it too late, and what it costs the team. As you move into more senior roles, expectations increase, the environment becomes more structured, and imposter syndrome doesn’t really disappear even at a senior level, but instead becomes something you learn to manage through preparation and awareness. We also spend time on something that doesn’t get talked about enough: balancing ambition with life outside of work. Georgina shares her experience stepping back at points in her career, navigating personal challenges, and what she’s learned about support, flexibility, and the environments that actually allow people to perform well. If you’re leading a team, working with founders, or stepping into a bigger role yourself, there’s a lot in here that will feel familiar. Episode Highlights[00:00] Stepping into leadership while relocating your entire life[02:20] What Kari Traa actually is beyond a base layer brand[05:46] Learning retail from the shop floor at live events[10:38] When founder energy drives chaos and rapid pivots[16:11] Why global leadership is about communication, not language[20:21] The upside and volatility of working with founders[26:29] Moving from founder-led speed to private equity discipline[30:01] Why good leaders fail by not acting fast enough on people issues[33:41] What she would do differently in hindsight (career advice reflection) [35:59] The hardest leadership mistake: keeping the wrong people too long [41:21] The hidden cost of underpricing yourself as a leader[45:05] Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear, it just gets managed Notable Quotes “The best thing about founders is the passion. The hardest part is managing the emotion that comes with it.” Georgina “You don’t need to be perfect as a leader. You need to create clarity and bring people with you.” Georgina “Imposter syndrome never really goes away, you just get better at managing it.” Georgina “If someone isn’t the right fit, waiting too long helps no one.” Georgina “You can step back in role, but you don’t have to step back in value.” Georgina Episode Takeaways Working with founders brings energy and purpose but also complexity Hiring decisions have a huge impact, and timing matters more than you think Culture and people drive performance more than strategy alone Imposter syndrome is normal even at senior levels Preparation and clarity are key leadership tools Career paths aren’t always linear and that’s okay The right environment and support system make a big difference Great teams are built through diversity of thinking, not similarity Our Host Dan Trapp is the Founder of Sports+Outdoor Search recruitment business and host of the Sports+Outdoor Mentors podcast. With 30 years of leadership experience in the sports and outdoor industry, he has built and led global teams and, more recently, developed a strong reputation for helping brands and retailers source, assess, attract and retain exceptional leadership talent. Having lived and worked in the UK, Switzerland, France, and Finland, for businesses o

Step into the inspiring journey of Richard Leedham, CEO of Equip Outdoor Technologies, home to iconic brands RAB and Lowe Alpine. From his humble beginnings as a sales rep to becoming a leader in the outdoor industry, Richard shares invaluable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the power of loving what you do. In this engaging conversation, Richard discusses: ✅ The importance of embracing discomfort for growth ✅ How finding your "tribe" transforms your career ✅ Balancing passion, sustainability, and business success Whether you're looking to navigate your career, lead a team, or find inspiration to fuel your passion, this is a must-watch for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals alike. 🎧 Listen now to learn from one of the industry's most respected leaders! Follow Richard Leedham https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-leedham Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1 #sportsandoutdoormentors

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Rich, founder of Passenger Clothing, as he shares his remarkable journey from electrician to founding a £100M+ outdoor brand. Discover how passion, humility, and the right team transformed a small startup into a global success story. Key highlights: The pivotal transition from tradesman to brand founder Building an authentic outdoor brand focused on escapism Managing 80%+ year-on-year growth for 5+ years The importance of controlling ego and embracing team expertise Sustainable practices and responsible business growth Challenges of international expansion Building and maintaining company culture during explosive growth Rich shares candid insights about: The role of self-awareness in leadership Making tough decisions about bringing in experienced leadership Balancing family life with entrepreneurship Key lessons learned over 13 years of brand building The evolution from UK-focused to global omnichannel business Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, brand builder, or business leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on scaling a business while staying true to your core values. Follow Richard Sutcliffe https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-sutcliffe-9702b554/ Follow Passenger https://www.linkedin.com/company/passengerclothing/ Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1 #sportsandoutdoormentors

Join us for an open and honest conversation with Will Hayler, Co-Founder and CEO of Blue Earth Summit, as he shares his journey from teaching surfing in Cornwall to leading one of the most innovative sustainability platforms in the business world. Key moments in this episode: How Will built his first business, Tickets to Ride, from surf lessons to a global adventure sports company The art (or not!) of business acquisitions and mergers in your 20s Creating Blue Earth Summit and its mission to transform how the world works Balancing entrepreneurship with family life and surfing Leadership insights on building and managing successful teams Will shares candid insights about: The relationship between the outdoor industry and sustainability Building purpose-driven businesses The future of sustainable innovation If you enjoyed this or any of our other episodes, please hit the follow button on your podcast platform of choice. Follow Will Hayler https://www.linkedin.com/in/willhayler/ Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/@S_OM1 #sportsandoutdoormentors

In Episode 38 of the Sports & Outdoor Mentors podcast, we sit down with Dave Bunting MBE, a leader who has pushed boundaries on and off the mountains. From leading a groundbreaking expedition to the West Ridge of Everest to building high-performance teams in the business world, Dave’s journey is packed with life lessons and inspirational stories. What you’ll discover in this episode: ✳️ The leadership insights Dave gained from 24 years in the British Army. ✳️ Behind-the-scenes challenges of a 3-year Everest expedition. ✳️ How to build and lead high-performing teams, even in life-or-death situations. ✳️ Lessons from turning failure into opportunity in business and life. Whether you’re a corporate leader, outdoor enthusiast, or just looking for inspiration to push beyond your limits, this episode is for you! 👉 Don’t forget to follow us for more incredible stories from sports and outdoor industry leaders! Follow Dave https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bunting-mbe-640b8a3 Follow Dan https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors YouTube: https://youtu.be/3t4crSqAl6k #sportsandoutdoormentors

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kim Scholze, a professional with 25 years of experience in the outdoor and sports industry. Kim has seen everything from working with iconic brands like Salomon and Nytro to other roles at ISPO and Sympatex. Her expertise covers sales, marketing, and product creation, but today, her mission is clear: driving sustainability in the industry she's passionate about. Join us as Kim shares her career journey, lessons, and vision for a more sustainable future in outdoor and sports markets. Whether you're an aspiring leader or an industry professional, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss! Follow Kim Scholzehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-scholze/ Follow Dan Trapphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentorshttps://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EqC5kCKjm4 #sportsandoutdoormentors

In this episode, we sit down with David Birch, CEO and Founder of Endurance Zone, a company centered on helping athletes harness the power of endurance training to unlock peak performance. David's journey is one of resilience and transformation—from a professional rugby player to a successful entrepreneur after a serious back injury altered his career path. David shares insights on navigating the challenges of building and scaling a business in the sports industry, including finding the right co-founder, securing external funding, and creating a sustainable business model in the competitive sports market. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and industry insiders interested in the intersection of sports, endurance, and innovation. Take advantage of David's invaluable lessons on resilience, team-building, and the drive to overcome obstacles. Follow David Birch https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmbirch/ Follow Dan Trapp https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentor https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://youtu.be/7jYmu_TjGhw #sportsandoutdoormentors

In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Cox, EMEA President of Pentland Brands, the company behind iconic sports and outdoor brands like Speedo, Berghaus, Endura, and many more. With incredible experience in leadership and brand management, Charlotte shares her thoughts on the critical role coaches play in shaping careers and the importance of staying true to yourself in the workplace. Charlotte explores how diversity can elevate teams and why creating an inclusive environment is critical to long-term success. She also offers valuable advice for those looking to build careers in the sports and outdoor industries, highlighting the lessons she's learned along the way. Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with insights on leadership, personal growth, and the power of diversity for anyone interested in the sports industry's behind the scenes. Follow Charlotte Coxhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-cox-77836919 Follow Dan Trapphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentorshttps://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin Listen to Sports + Outdoor MentorsSpotify: https://bit.ly/SO_SpotifyApple: https://bit.ly/SO_ApplePodcasts #sportsandoutdoormentors