Started: 2008
Founders: Tripp Frey, Jon Pew, and Chris Pew
School: University of North Carolina, Hamilton College, Colorado College, resp.
TrewGear's big thumb logo is starting to show up a lot more at ski resorts on the West Coast. That's because the founders of the ski- and snowboard-wear maker followed the old maxim -- Do what you love.
For their first year of operation, Tripp Frey and twin brothers Jon and Chris Pew ran sales out of an RV. They went from mountain to mountain personally promoting and selling their products to retailers and other winter sports enthusiasts. Their perseverance paid off. The partners estimate that Trew Gear is worth five times its original value.
The three friends plan on expanding their line for both their online store and retailers. Their favorite part about their business -- spending time on the mountain -- can now be written off as work.
