From Passion to CEO: The Hagan Skis Story with Mike Hogan

What happens when a lifelong skier buys the ski brand he’s obsessed with? In this episode, Becca sits down with Mike Hogan, the CEO of Hagan Skis North America, to talk about how his love for the sport led to one of the boldest career pivots you’ll ever hear. From storing skis in his kids’ bedrooms to building partnerships with shops across the country, Mike shares the gritty, unconventional path of growing a niche brand in a legacy industry. This one’s full of insight, laughs, and pure passion—whether you're a skier, business owner, or just someone chasing a dream.Quotables:“I didn’t buy Hagan in 2020 during the COVID boom—I bought it after the pop. That was intentional.” — Mike Hogan“We started with nine shops carrying Hagan—now we’re at 22 and climbing.” — Mike Hogan“If you want to build a brand in this space, you have to show up. Sometimes it’s as simple as walking into the shop with your dog and your skis.”  — Mike HoganWhat You’ll Learn:How Mike Hogan discovered and purchased Hagan Skis North AmericaBuilding a brand in a niche industry after the pandemic boomThe importance of retail partnerships vs. direct-to-consumerTransitioning from a career in sales to the CEO seatPassion, grit, and the business of outdoor sportsKey Takeaways from This EpisodeSometimes the best time to buy is after the boom—not during itGetting into retail requires effort, relationships, and showing up in personYour personal passion can absolutely be the foundation of a thriving businessDon’t underestimate the power of demoing physical productsGrowth is possible even in legacy industries—if you modernize the modelPeople and Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeMike Hogan (Owner | HAGAN Ski Mountaineering USA) emailHagan Skis websiteHagan Skis instagramRagnar websiteNAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) websiteNCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) websiteISMF (International Ski Mountaineering Federation) websiteRoxa Ski Boots websiteATK Bindings websiteKohla websiteSkimo Co websiteOutdoorly websiteRide Workshop websiteProtect Our Winters websiteConnect with Becca:Après Business Podcast EmailFall Line Digital WebsiteFall Line Digital InstagramLove the episode? Subscribe & leave a review to help other business owners find the show!