Camping with friends and family is priceless time spent together.

However, that tradition slowly transitioned out with the emergence of technology. We’ve undermined the power of nature, and we’ve become more focused on creating things instead of memories.

The brothers, Jeff and Spencer Jan were inseparable growing up. However, at one point in life, they were parted and were separated for a decade. The fact their children grew up separately made Spencer return to the US and start a business with his brother.

To get camping back in trend, they created Solo Stove. It’s an eco-friendly stove that can light a fire with natural fuel - leaves and sticks. Quickly, the brothers’ business grew, and they developed more stoves. Their inventions go under Solo Brands.

Jeff and Spencer Jan’s success story is singled by the conscious idea, the willingness to turn back to the old life and start a business from scratch. It suggests a good read.

A Brothers’ Bond

Jeff and Spencer Jan both grew up in America. Since they were children, they used to spend time together playing and creating. Both of them wanted to go outside in sunny weather and play until the sunrise. The young brothers enjoyed these priceless moments that will guide them throughout their life.

However, once they've reached teenhood, things have changed. Jeff and Spencer became slightly more interested in the indoors because -adolescence. That meant Do Not Disturb! sign on their door, and they kept themselves busy learning about technology.

Yet, those moments didn't last too long. Spencer and Jeff rekindled their passion for the outdoors and started to have fun with their friends and family again, like real social butterflies. Ah, those years pass so quickly. All of a sudden, Jeff and Spencer found themselves at a crossroads, and they had to choose their career path. What will it be?

Jeff's Early Adulthood Chapter

Let's start with Jeff's story. Jeff decided to study Business Management at Bringham Young University in Hawaii. For an outdoor lover, there's no better place to spend the college years than tropical Hawaii. Whoever tried to explain the Hawaiian sunset to other people always turned out lyrical and romantic. Jeff enjoyed that priceless romantic fortune for 4 years, and in 2005, he got his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.

Jeff's first job position was assistant food and beverage manager at Columbia Hospitality, and he worked there for a year. Afterward, Jeff laded a job as a personal representative at US Bank.

Yet, Jeff didn't find himself as an administrative worker, and after 6 months, he left the bank. Being a restless adult willing to learn more and more, Jeff continued to switch jobs. But, all of it would change once the idea struck.

Spencer's Young Adult Chapter

Spencer was more on the creative side in his 20s. Spencer, the young adult, was interested in languages, and following his passion, he enrolled at Bringham Young University. By 2004, Spencer earned himself two BAs. One for International Studies, the other for Mandarin and Chinese.

However, life in your 20s is super weird - you're not the same person you were yesterday or five years ago. The idea you had in your early 20s, might not appeal to you anymore. Hence, when Spencer heard of Sales Management, he was magnetized.

Spencer just knew he wanted to do something with eCommerce. So, ambitious enough, Spencer decided to start his first eCommerce job from the bottom - he was a Sales Management Trainee at Global Sources. After a short time of training, Spencer ended up managing sectors on his own.

However, after a year of working at Global Sources, Spencer quits and finds himself a better job at Dura Global Sourcing Inc., first as General Manager, then as a Vice President of the company. Spencer dedicated 11 years of his professional life to the company. Some may say, that's more than enough time to believe that's the job for you. But, not for Spencer!

After about 12 years living in China, enjoying a stable life, Spencer decided to leave and move back to the US. It was a scary moment of course, but such plot twists usually bring the climax of the story. So, keep reading to find out what happened.

The Brother's Reunion

As Spencer was living in China, he got married and got kids, and so did Jeff who lived on the other side of the world, in Texas. The reason why Spencer returned to America is simple - family is priceless.

It wasn't that they were separated that bothered the brothers, but that they became more distant every day. Spencer reminded himself of creating memories with his brother in nature, and he wanted his children to grow up together with their cousins. So, Spencer’s family packed and moved to America.

Fast-forward a year or so, one day, the brothers discussed the importance of making memories in nature, and they came up with a business idea. Their notion was to create a stove that cooks meals for your family, by using natural fuel like leaves and sticks. And so they did.

Both brothers diligently crafted the business plan for their Solo Stove, and soon their stove became popular. The customer audience feedback was positive, and they wanted a larger one. Soon, the Jan brothers’ company grew larger, and they created Solo Stove Campfire and Solo Stove Titan.

Hence, as an umbrella term for their products, the company goes by the label Solo Brands.

The Hurdles along Their Journey

Although Jeff and Spencer’s idea was genuinely awesome, creating such an innovative product can be way too tricky.

Having a stove while camping is really groundbreaking, but coming up with the design, making it a high-end quality product, that's also eco-friendly and self-inflamed, is a really tall order.

So, the first tries to make the best stove wasn't really a hit, and the brothers had to redo it over and over. However, the best part about the brothers is that they're not quitters.

Jeff and Spencer knew there must be a solution to every problem, and that with today's technology, almost everything can be created. And so, the brothers overcame the greatest obstacle on their way and created the Solo Brands Empire.

Company's Framework

As we've said, Solo Stoves had a kick start when they first appeared on the stage. In over two rounds of funding, Solo Stove raised a million dollars. It was a huge indicator that the products they promote are more than successful.

In 2018, John Merris stepped in as the new CEO who led the company to total success. John hired talented people, used digital marketing with a target audience, and got what he needed. John raised millions, ready for a bigger business strategy plan - going IPO. John was confident in this business model.

Although the company mostly relied on its own funding, Solo Brands still has a lead investor, Bertram Capital Management. Jeff and Spencer’s company currently counts 64 employees, concluding the statistics of February 2021, which is doubled than the previous year.

To IPO or Not to IPO?!

On 28th October, the company went officially IPO, after the announcement three weeks prior. This business plan will double or triple the total funding of the company. Business Journal informs that the IPO day went smooth. They noticed an increase in interest, and the CEO only hoped for the best.

From a small town in Texas to selling stocks for $17 on Wall Street, the road to such success is long and bumpy.

With many hurdles to jump over along the way, Jeff and Spencer were also faced with fierce competition from companies like Breeo, Fireside Outdoor, and Flame Genie, among others.

It takes real courage and determination in what you do to achieve such success. But, we have the brothers Jeff and Spencer as entrepreneur models to teach us a lesson about how to run start-ups and entrepreneurship and run it well.

So, whenever you’re setting the date for an oxygen-rich sleepover in nature, check out the Solo Stove, it might just feel like home!