Colby Bauer
Co-Founder & CEO | Thread
What emerging market trends or disruptions are you preparing your company for?
People are becoming more skeptical of overly polished, sponsored and AI-driven content. What they’re really craving are real stories, real people and brands that stand for something beyond selling products. Our response is to tell more human stories spotlighting people, their passions and the communities they’re part of — with Thread playing a supporting role, not the hero. Everything we do is anchored to one clear throughline: “Do What Connects You.”
What are you most looking forward to accomplishing in 2026?
Our theme for 2026 is “Simplify to Amplify.” We’re focused on activating our brand at a national level, launching fewer but bigger campaigns and building long-term brand equity. Internally, it’s about scaling without losing our culture or creativity.
Describe the growth of your company in recent years. What other major achievements did the company accomplish under your leadership?
Over the past 11 years, we’ve grown into a nationally recognized brand and have been named to the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row. We’ve expanded from wallets and small accessories into a broader carry category, now offering a full range of bags. We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with brands we admire, including The North Face, Free People, Brixton and Cotopaxi. Today, Thread is sold through major retailers like Target, REI and Tilly’s, as well as thousands of independent surf, outdoor and lifestyle boutiques. In the past few years, we have grown internationally across Japan, Australia, Canada and Latin America.
One of the things I’m most proud of is launching our nonprofit arm, Carry On, focused on teaching kids resilience through skateboarding. We have had thousands of kids go through our programs and have proven a deep and lasting impact with those individuals.
