Hey there, it's Zack Helminiak, co-founder of Nomadix! I'm stoked to celebrate Nomadix's birthday and reflect on the incredible milestones we've achieved over the past nine years. It's been quite a journey, starting with an epic road trip that kick-started our passion for exploration, outstanding products, and environmental sustainability.
First off, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our amazing community members. Your unwavering support and dedication have been instrumental in our success. Together, we've accomplished so much and I can't wait to see what exciting adventures lie ahead for us!
Let's take a moment to look back at some of our most significant milestones along the way.
From Road Trip to Social Purpose Corporation, Our Biggest Milestones:
2014: Where It All Began
From Road Trip to The Only Towel You Need®
It all began with an unforgettable road trip in a '98 Subaru Outback. Packed with camping and ski gear, my fellow co-founders Hunter Robinson, Chace Petersen, and I embarked on a cross-country adventure. As we journeyed across the United States, cramped between our equipment, we had an epiphany: if we simplified our gear, we'd have more room for incredible adventures. And that's when the idea for Nomadix was born.
2016: Launching A Kickstarter
Full send while traveling through Europe
After two years of relentless designing, sampling, and testing, we finally had a prototype of the perfect towel - The Only Towel You Need®. Excitement was in the air as we launched a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund our project. At the time, we were all living apart from one another and were all working full-time jobs. I had just moved across the country from Washington, D.C. to California. I remember rushing to finish the video and pressing submit on Kickstarter late the night before I left for a trip to Europe. I was constantly checking the campaign while traveling through Berlin, Budapest, Ljubljana, and I believe we hit our goal when I was in Kraków.
2019: Building A Patchwork Community
Joining 1% For The Planet & What It Means To Be An SPC
At Nomadix, we believe that sustainability can only be achieved when we work together. That's why in 2019, we joined 1% For The Planet–committing to donating 1% of all our sales, not just profits, to environmental causes. We wanted to create a patchwork community where everyone could join us in supporting partners who make a difference in their communities. Protecting the places that inspire us, from pristine trails to clean beaches and snow-capped mountains, is our mission.
2020: Joining The Conservation Alliance
Helping protect the spaces we love
In 2020, during Giving Tuesday, Nomadix proudly donated ten percent of its sales to The Conservation Alliance and became a member of this incredible organization. We can't speak highly enough of the work done by The Conservation Alliance and the platform they provide for companies like ours to make a real impact. Being a Social Purpose Corporation, our passionate team members love being involved in the decision-making process, voting to determine where Nomadix can do the most good.
2021: Continuing Our Commitment to The Environment
Officially Climate Neutral Certified
Climate change is a pressing issue that demands action from all of us. As a company, we recognize the need for systemic change and want to do our part. In 2021, we embarked on the certification process to become Climate Neutral Certified, measuring our direct and indirect emissions. By committing to becoming climate neutral, we join a growing list of companies that prioritize environmental responsibility. Sustainability is at the core of what we do and we strive to be part of the solution, not the problem.
2022: Two New Multi-Functional Products
Introducing the Bandana Towel & Puffer Blanket
We launched two new products in 2022, the Bandana Towel & the Puffer Blanket. Bandanas are one of the most versatile pieces of gear and we thought that adding our material would enhance it to a new level by giving it all the properties of our Ultralight Towel, as well as UPF50+ sun protection. It was a natural addition and one that customers who do all different activities love to use.
The Puffer Blanket came to fruition because we thought the insulated blanket options out there lacked versatility, which is central to our brand and the way we live. We decided to create an insulated blanket that would be the go-to for a variety of different use cases. To do that, we implemented Snappy Versatility, which is a snapping system that allows you to fold it over into a sleeping bag, wear it on your shoulders, secure it as needed (in a van for example), or even snap two or more together to create a larger blanket, or a "hot pocket" (two on top of each other).
Throughout the past nine years, time has flown by for Nomadix. But one thing remains constant: our unwavering commitment to creating exceptional products that simplify your gear needs, allowing you to focus on the adventure at hand. We're passionate about doing right by our planet, our home.
Thank you once again for being a part of our journey. We're incredibly grateful for your continued support. Here's to many more years of exploration, innovation, and making a positive impact together. Stay tuned for more exciting things yet to come!
